Memorial Day: The Good, The Bad, and Remembrance

The day started off so well.  My wife and I took my daughter down to a local mall and we walked outside and enjoyed the weather, ate at Red Robin, and my daughter played with the other kids in the fountain next to the Starbucks.  No really, she did:

My Daughter, Caley, Playing in the Fountain!

I feel relaxed.  I am enjoying the day.  In the mid-afternoon, we get in the car and head home.  When we get there, I very quickly fall asleep in my recliner...and wake up choking on my own bile from a nightmare. I bolt out of my seat and start gagging and puking up bile into the sink in the kitchen.  My daughter saw the whole thing happen and it's a first I could have done without.  She is scared out of her wits and very worried about her daddy.  I stay as calm as I can since I am still gagging and trying to clear my wind pipe and my wife is a champ, explaining that daddy's ok.  I did my best to reassure her that I was ok, but she wasn't satisfied until my gag reflex receded and I was able to pick her up.

Caley: "Daddy, you cried."
Me: "Yes I did, bear bear."
Caley: "It's OK, Daddy, It's OK" (hugs me fiercly)
Me: "I'll be OK, Caley.  Daddy just had a bad dream."
Caley: "I love you, Daddy."

After that exchange, my heart melted into my figurative boots.  Caley asked to be put down and went back to playing in the living room and I was left to reflect on my nightmare.  It was about the death of an Iraqi translator that was killed for working with the US.  He knew it was dangerous but worked hard to ensure the safety of our troops wherever he was.  He wasn't the only Iraqi to die protecting us.  The Kurdish Peshmerga (Special Forces) guarded our safehouse in Khanaqin.  Many were murdered after they returned home to the Kurdish North for disobeying orders and staying to protect us while we got set up in town.  These are not isolated incidents.  These men were believers in what the United States stands for and died to protect our troops.  They paid the ultimate sacrifice too, but you will never see a monument to their courage and selflessness.  The men and women have always been there in any war - the forgotten heroes.  The locals who believe so strongly in us that they protect our troops and sacrifice themselves for our cause.

I don't know why I had that nightmare in the middle of a wonderful day.  I think I may actually be grateful for it.  All of us are mourning the loss of those we served with who didn't make it home.  All I ask is that you take a moment to reflect on the nameless ones who never expected to be remembered.  Take a minute to praise and give thanks for those who have selflessly sacrificed themselves to ensure our troop's safety in a hostile environment and paid the ultimate price for their efforts.

Because, In My Eyes, They Were All American Service Members, Too