Last night’s broadcast of Bob Woodruff’s To Iraq and Back on ABC was compelling, frustrating, and heartbraking all in one. To see the plight of  young American veterans suffering at such extreme levels made it hard to watch at times, but its’ harder to be the subject of those stories, trust me. As you sat and watched those images flash across your screen and tried not to grab the remote and change the channel to something more comfortable, remember that today is another day filled with what seem to be insurmountable obstacles for those men and women. Unfortunately tomorrow will be the same or worse for them. And the condition  they are in today is a direct result of trying to serve the United States of America and it’s citizens. A noble pursuit in my book. Each day a new difficulty will be revealed for our injured veterans, such as what limitations now exist for them to play with their children, to be intimate with their wives and to just take a walk on a particular day.

I am proud of Bob Woodruff for what he has done. I am happy for his recovery, and his new found awareness for the suffering that war brings, whether it be physical or mental. In my show 25 Days in Iraq, I say “you cannot shake what sticks to you in war.These soldiers are coming home and they are bringing it home with them”. I am just saddened that it took a celebrity journalist to get his pineapple blasted to begin to think of our soldiers. Was the four and a half years of these wars  not enough suffering to warrant a hour long special to this topic? Was Britney’s rehab finally pushed to the back burner for a story of REAL human interest? Did Anna Nichole’s DNA test not interest you today?

I know it is hard to have time to care. How do we fit compassion into our daily live for people who are out trying to good for us? There just isn’t time between American Idol, Terrell Owens second pinky finger surgery updates and playing X Box. We really would like to care, but it sure takes a lot of time away from OUR freedoms. Plus work is a drag. I understand the stress that you feel at your job on a regular basis. Your boss insufferable, your co workers a bother you and the corporate ladder has too many rungs. Boo Hoo.  Not getting the kudos you think you deserve? Imagine  enduring a job where you might be sighted down the barrel of a gun or the target of an IED everyday? Could you handle it? Take a minute before you answer. Please don’t forget that while executing on this job you have to be away your family,  wondering if they are safe back home? So next time you are in Chicago on busness for 3 days and you miss your kids and the food at the Holiday Inn you are staying at is sub par, imagine dining  a sand covered MRE the troops eat while rushing off to a mission.

This is about respect. Not politics. It’s about the people of the war, not the people in Washington that send them into battle. The people fighting on our behalf are you neighbors, who joined the military under noble pretenses. Take a minute and LOOK for a way to help. Don’t just watch the news, seek out someone in your area that have been directly affected by the war and ask them what they need. Maybe it’s as simple as raking their leaves, or having coffee , or  just being a sympathetic ear. You would be amazed  a the power of being a good  listener!

So to Bob Woodruff, I put it to you to continue on your mission of rasing awareness as will I. And to all that read this blog,  enjoy the freedoms that we have in our country, respect your neighbors and please take the time to walk in the shoes of some people who would gladly change places with you during the “hardest” part of you day. I guarantee it.

Respectfully,


Tom Irwin
www.25daysiniraq.com
C Co. 5th Engineers
Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.