The Laughing Wolf

Almost Home

Damn dust. Keeps getting in my eyes making them tear up. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Pvt. Jessica Lynch is almost home. She just had to face the ordeal of a political greeting from the Governor, and a bit of speechifying. It was clear that she was uncomfortable with parts of it, especially when her brother said that he now looked up to her as a role model. From a cut of the eyes, her brother may pay for that later.

Get used to it Jessica, for you are now a role model no matter how little you may feel that you are, or deserve to be. The people who lead your country, and the military, will make the most out of it for good cause. You can set your limits later, but know that it will be done. Mayhaps you should read the Honor Harrington series, for I feel that you will empathize with it.

One interesting thing was her finish, when she said that "I am an American soldier too!" were her words then and now. Exactly what happened to her we may never know, and if some things are true I hope they are never publically confirmed, for she deserves better. Others can and will come out, and those words combined with the Bronze Star, lead me to suspect that the Wag The Lynch idiots really missed it in the same way the BBC missed and dismissed the American entry into Baghdad. We will see.

For now, she is almost home with just a few parades and such to endure. Her thanks to those who helped her, from Iraq to the man who would not let her quit physical therapy, were moving. Her tribute to her friend and fallen colleague heartfelt.

Endure them, and enjoy them as much as you are able to. There are hard days ahead, just as there are hard days behind you. Your home has changed, and is not as it was. Your hometown is the same. Most importantly, you have changed and nothing will be quite the same. With work and time, however, you can and will make it better even if different.

Those words are hard and cruel, even if true. Forgive my saying them, though they need to be said. For now, simply allow me to say

"Welcome home, Jessica."

Laughing Wolf