4th of July, 2003.....

I wrote this email to family and friends July 4, 2003. I don't think I have the emotional excess or capabilities to write about what I'm feeling this Fourth of July with Greg in Afghanistan. Because if that's not the epitome of patriotism, I don't know what is. However, I felt the need to say something, share something....

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Hello, all.

I hope everyone is celebrating the 4th healthy and happy!

It's about 11:30pm here and we just returned from the base. It was a good celebration. For me, this was the first year, since I waslittle, that I wasn't at Mashpee powwow with my family. But this whole journey is supposed to be a learning experience, right? And I have to admit today was just that. This was the first 4th of July that I actually sat back, realized what I had and was proud to be an American. I meanreally proud. It may be ignorant of me but like most Americans, I didn't think about anything else but my little world.

This 4th of July for me was not just about the barbecues, festivals, carnival rides and fireworks. I realized, finally, at 24, how much we really take for granted in the United States. We live about a 4-hour plane ride from Iraq and we're a lot closer to Liberia. If there were a bridge, it'd take 7 hours to drive there. To be an
American in a foreign country during times of terrorism and war brings things into a whole new light.

Tonight, we left our home surrounded by a perimeter of high fences and barbed wire and passed through the gate secured by armed guards. We drove 30 minutes to the main base, enclosed by several layers of fence and passed through a 2 foot thick steel gate that is designed to resist blasts and tank rams. We drove by the manned tank and stopped in front of 2 heavily armed gaurds for an ID check. We got through without a bomb check tonight.

We parked and put the girls in their jogging stroller. They were excited because they saw carnival rides. We walked around through the crowds of military families and single sailors, most decked out in red, white and blue, donning flags and sparklers...everything you would expect on the birthday of the USA. But I couldn't help but notice the stronger presence of security, walking around armed and alert.

The girls got to go on 5 rides. They were too cute. Katherine was a great big sister. She helped Julia onto rides and sat right by her and tried to help her off when it was over. Julia was mesmerized by all the lights and music. They had a great time! We got them some Cotton Candy and water. We then went to find a seat to listen to the music (they flew in some bands) and watch the fireworks.

We saw our friends, Rosa and Santiago, and sat by them to chat. Santiago was actually home for a few days. The fireworks soon started. I sat there with my girls on my lap watching the beautiful display...thinking. I was surrounded by Americans that put their lives or their hearts on the line every day for exactly what we are celebrating today...Freedom. There were sailors like Santiago who are gone more times than not, on duties they can't discuss, to places they can't tell their wives and children, to return when they're not sure. Spouses and children who accept that Daddy isn't here because he has a job to do.

I sat there watching the fireworks, listening to the songs playing in the background...Born in the USA by Bruce Springsteen, Angry American by Toby Kieth and Proud to be an American by Lee Greenwood. Rosa told me how she loved that song because they played it at the ceremony when she became an American citizen. Her family fled Cuba when she was young to be safe in America. I looked at the angelic faces of my babies who were awed by the fireworks and was thankful that they had never had to experience fleeing their country to be safe. I looked at Rosa, holding her husband's hand, thankful he was home to spend this weekend with her, but he'll be leaving again on Monday. I looked at my husband, thankful his current job didn't take him away from us for so long on such short notice, but there's always that chance. He's a Corpsman and when there's war, there's always someone getting hurt and needing his skilled hands.

I was thankful tonight to be an American. Thankful that these men and women put their lives and skills out there to keep me and my family safe. I hope tonight, while you sit on a blanket, lawn chair or your couch, watching the annual fireworks display, listening to the patriotic music, think about us over here. Think about the military communities all over the world, parents who are unable to watch their childrens' faces light up in awe at the exploding sky because they are somewhere fighting for an American cause...maybe not because they believe in the cause but because they believe in America.

Sorry to ramble on but I just wanted to share.

Take care everyone.

Until next time....

Wunnea
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I hope you enjoy your Fourth. Be safe..... and pray for the safety of our men and women in harm's way, fighting for what this holiday is all about.

I may need a little pick-me-up. So Hand Over the Coffee.... to go with my patriotism.