How do we come home?

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How do we come home?

Posted by

Andrew Odom

in Opinions

Wednesday, October 21. 2009

Comments (16)

I boarded the train as I did everyday. 7:30 a.m. Northbound on the J from Gates Avenue to Canal Street. The train limped along its tracks ultimately stopping short of the Manhattan Bridge.

The voice came over the loudspeaker warning us that do to some "unidentified activity" we were going to have to stop until the line was cleared.

We all sat there nervously flicking through our dailies, playing Solitaire on our phones and using feigned conversation to mask our nervousness.

I thought back to 9/11 when the trains stopped moving and we were held across the water suspended on the elevated tracks just in time to see our city being burned down building by building.

And at that moment I realized that even in places of relative peace, we live in a time of war.

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#1 cats on 10/21/09 at 09:26 AM

Good article!
I was a young woman when the Vietnam soldiers returned home and I was so ashamed of how they were treated. I have never gotten over that sense of shame.
The men and women who are returning home now at least are not spit upon and screamed at, but I am always aware of what a returning soldier and good family friend said to me.
"After what I've seen, do you really think people's little personal problems here at home matter to me?"
This man has been in the service for a long time and what he said really resonated with me.
So let's keep in mind that these men and women have experienced what, God willing, we will never have to see.

#2 Anonymous on 10/21/09 at 06:35 PM

What happened to Obama and his 'promise' of bringing all the troops back home? Now he's sending more? Figures...

#2.1 Anonymous on 10/22/09 at 07:16 PM

Obama and Michelle are no different than JC and his assistant. Obama refuses FOX News. JC and his staff deletes posters if they disagree with him/her and his Polecat. Trust is not there with someone that will control the publics thoughts and freely has your IP number. What would Hitler have done with IP numbers?

#3 Drama Queen on 10/23/09 at 12:07 PM

I am now the Web Surfer. If I or JC do not like your comments then they should not be posted on any site. The PJR should subject comments to moderation. Marro issued a Gag order and the PJR should also. Yous peoples need to run your site like we do!!
Stick that in your IP numbers!

#3.1 Sheila Tolley on 10/26/09 at 05:26 AM

I trust this is not a true comment written by a real moderator. But just in case it is....You are a real idiot. Move to a country that is already communist so you do not get negative feedback. If we survive until next election, we may still stand a chance of not becoming a communist country. Stick that in your moderation.

#4 Anonymous on 10/26/09 at 06:07 AM

You people are off base.

#5 Anonymous on 10/26/09 at 06:17 AM

I believe the as a country we owe our soldiers all the respect we can give. When we see someone in uniform we should simply say thanks. Just a simple thanks for what you chose to do with your life. It should not matter rather you are against the war or Oboma . The men and women that serve our country are fightin for you and your children. I feel the same for all the jc haters as well. This people are there for us . Respect them you never know when you will need them.

#5.1 Drama Queen on 10/27/09 at 09:18 AM

Well put. JC and Danny Henderson are right there for us. They are serving our county in the trench's of Pike. Honor these local people, when you see them shake their hands and let them know how proud of them we are.

Shelia Tolley is not a nice person!

#5.1.1 shame on you on 10/27/09 at 09:43 AM

You of all people should have more respect for what this article is talking about.

#5.1.2 Sheila Tolley on 10/27/09 at 10:23 AM

I have a real name you have a noun for a name. You are an idiot. I am very nice to smart people who have respect for America, God, themselves, others, and all facets of The Military, etc. So you are actually right here, DQ, I hope I am not a nice person in your opinion. To be so would be the ultimate INSULT. Get a name.

#5.2 Sheila Tolley on 10/27/09 at 10:13 AM

Applaud Them every chance you get.....They deserve it. These are Volunteers that are fighting for our Freedom. Use capital letters on every word referring to our Military and lower case when referring to obama.

#6 southernbrother on 10/26/09 at 09:02 AM

@ anonymous

Just to clarify for you. Obama did not promise to bring troops home from Afghanistan but in fact he pledged to send more.

#6.1 Sheila Tolley on 10/27/09 at 10:25 AM

But he won't Pledge Allegiance.

#7 Anonymous on 10/26/09 at 11:50 PM

GOD BLESS ALL OF OUR TROOPS AND ALL COP S LOCAL AND NATION WIDE. THANKS FOR WHAT YOU DO.

#8 GM on 10/28/09 at 04:44 PM

Checking out the site. You all have Obama wrong. He is actually sitting on his thumb with his other finger on his head and he is spinning out of control. I can think of lots of names for him but commander in chief isn't one of them.

#9 barry on 11/04/09 at 12:26 AM

I read the colmuns everyweek when they are put on line. I usually do not reply but just read. However, I thought it was time to reply to one.
The pledges of campaigns are always scruitinized. The President promised to get out of Iraq, which the numbers are reducing, he also stated that he would take the fight to the Taliban in Afghanistan...we are doing that but not as fast as some would like.
I am one of the Soldiers setting here in Afghanistan. I am often asked by friends and family, How long will we be there? I can't give a pin point answer...there is not one. However, I do offer a thought...The War in Germany in ended in 1945, the War in Korea ended in the early 50's..and we are still there. Can any one rememeber the last time there were no US Military members residing on foreign soil? I believe that you would have to look to the 1800's for that. We are the rebuilders of societies and countries. We never ask what is in it for us...we just take action. That is what makes us the Country we are. I agree, there are times when we should focus on what is happening on our own homefront...but we continue to help abroad. I am not saying we are the perfect Country but we are the best thing going at this time and age.
We are a country at War and has been at War, in one form or fasion, for over 215 years.
All people who put on the uniform of civil support (Law enforcement, Fire Fighter, EMT, Military) should be thanked. I, for one, know I appreciate the men and women of our civil support in the Pike County and surrounding area.
Be thankful for what you have...if you don't like it...Volunteer, join the services or come set with me and my Soldiers here in Afghanistan and tell me how you feel.

CSM Barry Smallwood
148th BSB
Kabul, Afghanistan

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