The Things That Carried Him

During our class on the Iraq War and how it was being covered on the Internet, Garrett mentioned an article he had read in Esquire called, “The Things That Carried Him,” by Chris Jones. The piece is the story of how one soldier’s final trip back to the United States from Iraq.  I bought the magazine that weekend, but with the semester wrapping up, I didn’t get a chance to finish the piece. I brought it with me to Atlanta, but it made me cry too much in the airport. I finally finished it this morning on the Metro - and yes, I was crying there as well. I am a big sap.

This article is incredibly moving. It’s easy to distance ourselves from the war. It’s hard to put the war into perspective when I’m not there and don’t have to live it out day after day. This article really covered all angles when tragedy strikes. How do his fellow soldiers cope? How do you work in an environment that deals with death on a daily basis? How does the military honor those who have fallen?  How does a mother grieve for her youngest son? What about his wife, the mother of three young children?

The article helped put a personal face on the war. I only know one person who has served in Iraq, but I met him after he came home. I’ve never had to worry on a daily basis if a loved one was in danger; I’ve never had to grieve a friend who wouldn’t make it back.

You can say all you want about the war and whether we should be there or not. You may not agree with the war at all, such as Mark Elrod, but I’m glad he recognizes the service of those who are fighting. We all need to realize that our soldiers are making real sacrifices to serve this country. Sacrifices that I can’t even comprehend or understand. I urge you all to read this article as it helps us get just a tiny glimpse of what they have given up.

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Tags: death, Esquire, funerals, Iraq, military, The Things That Carried Him, war

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