Memorial Day in Iraq

Last year at this time I was in Kentucky and Tennessee spending the holiday with my family. I remember alot about that weekend. I went to see my nephews play baseball, went to my neice's birthday, and then celebrated a graduation party for my neice Samantha in a park in Kentucky. It was a fun, relaxing weekend. This year...well there is a totally different feel to this year. Since last Memorial Day, over 1000 more soldiers have been killed. In January, my Brigade lost 3 of them. I didnt know anyone who had died in this war last year. Thats different this year. I know 3 men who won't be returning with us. And we all know that at anytime, we could be taken as well. Because in this war, there is no "front" and there is no "rear". There is just us and lot's of people who hate us. Thats it. In a nutshell. There is this strange, uneasy feeling we all have. Not quite knowing what will happen, but feeling that something really bad is about to happen. I think most of feel that this is a lost cause right now, but as Tennyson wrote, "Theirs is not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die." I read his famous poem (The Charge of the Light Brigade) and I reflected on it alot. I dedicate it to all those who we have lost to this war and other wars. May they always be remembered, not just on Memorial Day, but everyday.

The Charge Of The Light Brigade
by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Memorializing Events in the Battle of Balaclava, October 25, 1854Written 1854

Half a league half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of
Death Rode the six hundred: 'Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns' he
said: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. 'Forward, the Light
Brigade!' Was there a man dismay'd ? Not tho' the soldier knew Some one had
blunder'd: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do
& die, Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. Cannon to right of
them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volley'd & thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of
Death, Into the mouth of Hell Rode the six hundred. Flash'd all their sabres
bare, Flash'd as they turn'd in air Sabring the gunners there, Charging an army
while All the world wonder'd: Plunged in the battery-smoke Right thro' the line
they broke; Cossack & Russian Reel'd from the sabre-stroke,Shatter'd &
sunder'd. Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred. Cannon to right of
them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd
at with shot and shell, While horse & hero fell, They that had fought so
well Came thro' the jaws of Death, Back from the mouth of Hell, All that was
left of them, Left of six hundred. When can their glory fade? O the wild charge
they made! All the world wonder'd. Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light
Brigade, Noble six hundred!