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By Marine Sgt. Sara A. Carter
U.S. Army Central Operations
KUWAIT - Everything seems to bother me – people who stare when they pass, Marines who don't do what they are supposed to, pretty much all the little injustices that take place in the world around me – to the point where I get upset and have to vent to someone about my feelings.
What I am upset about seems important to me, but to others these issues are insignificant troubles that should be shrugged off and forgotten. In my mind it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, I have a right to be upset and I am going to voice it to who ever will listen.
That was the old me. I had a life changing experience that made me think differently about what I stress over on a daily basis. Now I am just thankful I am alive.
I had the unique opportunity to be a part of an honor ceremony for Soldiers who were killed in Iraq. I stood in the back of a formation with a mixture of civilians and all branches of the military. I rendered my slow, four-second salute as I watched three Marines and three Airmen each carry a flag-draped coffin off of the plane, which arrived in Kuwait from Iraq.
Suddenly I began to wonder about the fallen warriors who peacefully rested in the silver coffins. What kind of persons were they? How are their families dealing with the news? How would I feel if I was waiting for my loved one to return home? Hundreds of thoughts whirled through my mind as I rendered my slow, steady salute.
After all of the Soldiers were loaded onto a truck, we went to the mortuary. It's important to explain that all service members who pay the ultimate sacrifice in the U.S. Central Command area of operation make a stop in Kuwait during their journey home.
I helped bring the coffins into a small room on wooden carts. Then I helped remove and fold some of the American flags we are used to seeing flying high in the air, but are now keeping the Soldiers warm during their journey to their final resting place.
This was the moment that changed me forever. As part of their duties the mortuary team has to open the coffins to ensure everything that is suppose to be in coffin with the warrior is there. It was hard to believe these men were alive a couple of days ago probably counting down the days until they could go home and now they were gone. I prayed that none of these men felt anything when they passed.
What I saw has humbled me to a degree that I can never put it into words. All of the petty things I worry or get upset about don't matter. I am alive. I can call my family and tell them I love them. I can indulge in a candy bar and not feel guilty. I can travel the world and take pictures of everything I see. I can let that person stare at me as they pass.
It's so cliché to say this but life is short. These men didn't know they were going to pass away. They didn't know the last time they spoke to their mother, father, wife or children that it was going to be the final time they would say "I love you." Their family didn't know it was the very last time they were going to hear their loved ones voices.
No one knows when it will be his or her time to go. All those "important issues" are meaningless, insignificant problems that should be brushed off and forgotten. I am determined to live my life differently, enjoying each new day with family and friends and taking a deep breath when the little things start to bother me. After all, I am alive, I am breathing and I am not guaranteed tomorrow.
| Date Taken: | 01.30.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.30.2008 17:08 |
| Story ID: | 15930 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 287 |
| Downloads: | 277 |
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