Family ties.

Main Entry: ¹val·ue

Pronunciation: \ˈval-(ˌ)yü\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, worth, high quality, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *valuta, from feminine of*valutus, past participle of Latin valēre to be of worth, be strong — more at wield

Date: 14th century

1 : a fair return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged
2 : the monetary worth of something : market price
3 : relative worth, utility, or importance

Definition number 3: relative worth, utility or importance.

This is a story that has nothing to do with this war. You can have any number of opinions about the Iraq war. But most people will agree that the country that harbored Al Qaeda was the right country to invade post-9/11. Many people will also agree that we need to make this country a functioning country so that it won't become a future refuge for terrorists. Our success or failure over here has nothing to do with this story, or does it?

What is a life worth? The answer will depend on who is answering the question. We, in the U.S. place a very high value on life. Most of us will agree that we will do almost anything for our children and our families. They are precious, it is as simple as that. I think we also define our worth by how well we take care of our families.

So, a local woman and her two children are on their way to get vaccines. They are hit by a car. Some reports say intentionally. She suffered a broken femur. Her baby was tossed and ended up in a water-filled culvert. She suffered a severe head injury. Her toddler suffered a severe head injury and pulmonary injury. The baby died in our hospital that same day. The toddler died the next day. The mother did fine with her broken leg. She did fine if you consider that her husband was quoted as saying, "If my favorite daughter dies (the toddler), then the mother dies." She did fine while she was in our hospital. We can't keep her forever. She is discharged to a civilian hospital and her waiting husband.

This is insight into a culture that I don't understand. Your two children are killed in a hit&run and you are mad at the mother, your wife, for taking them to get vaccines? While I understand that we are not trying to create a little America over here, I also recognize that there are some deep-seated cultural beliefs that may directly conflict with our goals over here. This family and this story is not even directly related to the war...it's just that we happen to be seeing it because we're here. It's a part of the culture I could do without.

I turned 44 today. This is the first time that Ruth and I have been apart for this long. I hope it is the last, but I recognize that when you wear the uniform of the country, then the chance for deployment is always there. It is part of who we are. I am proud to be over here doing my job. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve. It has always been my opinion that if you are willing to accept a paycheck from the U.S. government then you have to be willing to go when asked. Those that balk at that service and seek to get out of it do not deserve the honor of wearing a uniform. Their actions directly impact the lives of others. Those selfish actions result in sacrifice on the parts of others. My sacrifices are small when I compare them to the sacrifices of the young men and women we see in our hospital. As I've said before, we owe them all the respect and help that we can give. As I've also said before, I hope that by doing what I'm doing, maybe, just maybe, Jonah and Naomi will never have to experience this. I value them too much.