Has it been a month already?

It seems as if I've been in N.C. for just a few weeks. It must have been longer, because my monthly car rental was due to be renewed today.

Here is the video shot the day I was supposed to leave. I truly thought this was the last time I would see my family for many months.

Imagine my stunned amazement when, less than 40 minutes after this wrenching goodbye, I learned I was staying put in N.C. for the time being.

A few comments about the video:
- I was still looking out for the troops as we loaded up, something I wasn't even aware I was doing at the time.
- My son covered the camera briefly with his hand when I said goodbye to my daughter, out of concern for her feelings.
- Although I looked as cool as a cucumber, that was only the brave face I put on. The emotion came when I was out of sight of the family, and seated up front away from the troops, so my sorrowing could come in private.

My shipmates on the two vans did, indeed, go forward. I think of them and the rest of my shipmates and pray for them and their families. I think of those who grieve for family members lost or severely wounded, and pray for them. And I think of those whose bodies came home, but whose minds will never be quite the same because of traumatic battlefield experiences. I pray for them and for their families, too.

Yes, there is much truth to the saying "War is hell." But, if the United States chose not to engage in conflicts around the world and turn within itself, the world would find that more sinister powers would be in control. We might wish to forswear violence or weapons, but we cannot count on any other nation, entity or group abiding by that same concept.