Baghdad - Cut Off

I walk the half or so mile between my hooch (15 x 15 living quarters that I share with a Navy JAG) and my office both coming and going. Today was long, and I was moving at a deliberate pace to get out of the office and in to a shower (very dusty here). As I was approaching the last road I cross before hitting the home stretch, I was cut off by 6 MRAPs (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected...google it) and 2 Humvees. All had 50 cals mounted on the roof along with various other weapon systems. They were all lit up. The diesel motors were whining, as they were anxiously rolling to a staging area where their commander will be giving the final briefing on what will be the night's mission. No one, anywhere, has seen a more intimidating, formidable, urban assault team. What got me all choked up, filled me with PROUD patriotism, and humbled me all at the same time, was that behind all of the armor, in each of the vehicles, were a half a dozen YOUNG soldiers. "Kids" that have left their homes in the greatest country in the world...to come here! They are true heroes. They should be honored and appreciated by ALL! They are the ones out there in the middle of the night leveling whatever and wherever the insurgents think they can hide, ultimately detaining those that I will be processing through the system. Without them, I wouldn't be here. I am proud to be serving with them. - Brock