The Impersonal Loss

What do we make of this loss?

Is it easier to a loose a Soldier than a civilian?

Are we numb to this?

Is it just as impersonal as the local news reports?

“4 Soldier’s killed by a deep buried IED today”.

Ask the wife or children of one our KIA’s.

Ask the battle buddy of one of our KIA’s.

Experience the chaos in an operations center,

When that fatal call is made over the radio.

Mouths are dropped.

Headsets are thrown.

Frustration-

Have you ever heard the bugle call?

Felt the tension that resonates in the air like a acoustic conundrum.

Seen a mothers face as she is handed a sharply folded American flag.

Experienced the jerk reaction from the M16’s fired off twenty one times. And watched the tears run from mourning faces and dampen their blouses.

They serve at the tip of the spear.

Where it is sharp and edgy and there is the most fear;

Where the flesh is easily pierced and punctured.

Questioning the innermost parts of their soul; am I ready?

What do we make of this loss?

Is it easier to a loose a Soldier than a civilian?

Are we numb to this?

Is it just as impersonal as the local news reports?

“4 Soldier’s killed by a deep buried IED today”.