My Composition 2 professor assigned an argumentative essay and while discussing possible topics after class last week, I made reference to experiences with VA Land and she inquired about my service. I explained that The Husband was the one in the service with two destination vacations and all the fun that goes along with that.
That was Wednesday.
In class today, we discussed a Definition Essay and that it's essentially discussing a word with a simple Webster's dictionary definition, but a very complex world definition, such as love, family, etc.
Simple enough. The professor explained that we would be brainstorming a word at the end of the class and then doing a paper on it the next class period.
Then she called me specifically to come up and write down phrases on the board as the class brainstormed them.
It struck me as odd.
Until she gave the word: Freedom.
I took a breath, recognized my position as a prop and waited for the inevitable...
And the inevitable arrived about halfway through the brainstorming.
"So how many of you would be willing to go to war for your freedom? Anyone? No? Well, Greta's husband did...where again did he serve and how has that affected you all?"
Here is where I will tell you that obviously, I don't have any problem discussing going to war, the ramifications, and whatnot. I will tell you that I gladly discuss these things because I desperately want to normalize them in conversations. I will tell you that I enjoy educating people about our military experiences because you can't create the desperately needed thorough conversations about military life without education.
But.
I am not a prop.
"Well, so first your question about who'd be willing to fight for freedom is a moot point in this classroom because all of the individuals in this classroom are of the age to join the military barring any health issues, but here they sit while the people who are willing to fight are fighting. And I mean no disrespect, the great thing about freedom is that you have that choice. My husband joined before 9/11. We expected to live all over the world and experience a different kind of lifestyle. We did not expect war, not to say he wouldn't have joined after 9/11, but we have a different perspective on that. But yes, he served all over the world, but he deployed to Iraq for 14 months and Afghanistan for 9 months. He spent several months in Iraq kicking in doors, blowing stuff up and getting blown up, feeding his adrenaline loving body. Consequently, he aged his body faster than his actual age so while he's 40, his body thinks it's roughly 65-ish. He can't remember our kids birthdays. He has magnificent coping mechanisms in place for any and all challenges he faces. He has figured out how to be a high functioning human being who is very successful at whatever he attempts. He enjoys a challenge. He, like Louie (side note we're reading Unbroken), feels the need to keep his brain sharp. We facilitate him as a family so that we can function as a family. We have real long term concerns that shape our perception of the world. We experienced long term trauma that shaped our perception of the world. Our kids spent the first 10 years of their lives moving every 2 years. They are amazing humans who do not know what the sound of popping bubble wrap is because it sounds like small arms fire. The Husband spent roughly 2 years fighting two different wars, but those 2 years have impacts that are way more far-reaching than anyone can possibly guess at this point."
"Thank you so much for sharing that perspective and information with the class."
"and please tell your husband, thank you for his service".
I have never really understood the issue people have had with that phrase until today.
