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Sat 12 Apr, 2003 10:50 am
Thursday, while reading a NYT article, I came across a quote from an U.S. soldier in Iraq. He would fight again in a war, but not for the guns, the killing. He would fight because of the camaraderie. My thoughts drifted to such comments by professional football players, battered vets of ten plus years. Who, in retirement, desperately missed the camaraderie.
To those of you who understand, please share your experiences, your insights.
I think a feeling of intense closeness is brought on by the urgency and certianty of a combat situtation. All the social pretenses fall away and you see people for who they really are in short order.
While people sitting at home can debate the merits or demerits of an all volunteer force and argue over the economic ststus or racial composition of those forces going off to war none of that means a damn thing when you actually step into the combat zone. You put you life in the hands of another and they put their life in your hands - someone you may never even have met before in your entire life - in a matter of minutes. In many ways it is the ultimate act of blind trust.
If things work out and you come home alive, the trust is upheld (even if you weren't in mortal danger..). We just don't have that kind of trust in people generally so when it does happen the bond is intense.
Dahlings--
Theatrical productions stumulate the same sort of bonding in urgency.
"It's Curtain Time--and away we go! Another opening of another show!"
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