Dressed in my oversized orange t-shirt with the words, "I'm Bored!" across the front, I lie in front of the TV with my head resting in the palm of my hands. I kicked my legs back and forth, excited to be staying up late with my parents and sister. I looked at the TV, eyes wide, grin across my face, and felt happily content with my mom's decision to let us stay up past our normal bedtime.
I was disappointed, however, when my mom turned the channel from one sitcom after another and finally settled on CNN. The screen was mostly black, with certain objects highlighted in green, and anxious voices were quickly relaying one event after another. Glows of green would flash across the screen and you could hear the thunderous booms in the background. We were at war. I was 8.
Immediately questions raced through my mind and I tried hard to understand my mother's answers as she tried best to explain what it was her daughter was watching. I couldn't comprehend the war, but I understood my mom's tears that silently fell as we watched the rest of it in silence.
My mom later wore a button, round with the words "America Supports You" across a yellow ribbon. It was pinned just above her heart each day, becoming a staple item for her work suits and weekend casual wear. In our home, we talked about the war. We talked about our troops. We talked about death.
My family didn't know anyone in the war. We had no ties to military families. We weren't waiting for letters. We were just an American family, watching the war in the safety of our home, mesmerized by the glows of green on our TV. And my mom was proud. Proud of our troops and thankful for their service.
The button still sits in her jewelry box. A small reminder of the years of sacrifices our service members have made.
I have lived to see 3 major wars in my life. Most memorable to me was Vietnam. Unfortunately the memories were not good (not that memories of war are good) as many of the older guys around me were drafted and left. Many did not return. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. Most disheartening was their return. They returned to a country all but divided, racial turmoil, civil unrest, and they, these brave men and women came back to face degradation. I was only a child when they left and a teen when they returned. I will never ever forget the images displayed on our television set as well. To all the women and men who served then and now, thank you, god bless you, and wish you a safe and speedy return stateside. God Bless America!
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