Two more.

Two more posts. I think that's about all I've got left in me. Here's what I've come to realize after being here for almost 9 months: the rawness of emotion that I felt with the early deaths that I witnessed has passed. That's not right or wrong, its just reality. They say time heals all wounds, but in maintaining a theme I've struck on before, this wound shouldn't heal. The fact is this: young men and women are dying everyday in a country that many in America have trouble finding on a map, and the vast majority of Americans are neither engaged in this war personally or emotionally. The only time it really breaks into their consciousness is when U.S. troops do something that, by today's warfare standards, is considered wrong.

If 9/11 was really the earth-shattering event that we thought, then this war would be on the front page everyday until it was over. Yes, 9/11 was an earth-shattering event for us, but as with everything, the rawness of emotion that we felt at the time has passed. What are we left with? We're left with a war where the deaths come in ones and twos. When you have that kind of war for 9 years, then the nation loses interest. And in a democracy like ours, when the nation loses interest, you know the poll-bound politicians aren't far behind.

I watched some more young men die this week. Their deaths will raise the interest in their hometowns for a period time. Then, as it always happens, the interest will fade and their families will be left to pick up the pieces.

I'm fortunate. In the supposedly apolitical field of medicine, my job over here is very easy. Take care of patients and get them home safely. But I'll admit, as I come to the end of my deployment, as I think back on what I've seen over here, as I look on yet another shattered body (whether or not he survives), I wonder is it worth it? Are we winning? I'm not even sure what constitutes "winning" in this war. I think that the job we are doing over here, in our hospital, is the most important job in Navy Medicine today. I am thankful for the opportunity and thankful that we've been able to make a difference in so many people's lives. But, my God, at what cost???