As I listen to the breaking news that Osama Bin Laden is dead the tears are running down my face. I am not sure why I am crying since so many others are celebrating the news of his death.
I am proud of my country. It has taken almost ten years to finally capture and kill the person responsible for the largest tragedy in my lifetime. September 11, 2001 saw the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York City and the Pentagon, and the attempted attack on the White House that was prevented by American hero's on board Flight 93 that was supposed to be the source of destruction. Praise God for the safe return of the service members that participated in this historic event. Listening to the news, there are many countries that are supporting the actions of President Barak Obama. This one time, I am supporting him as well.
These events make me think of my grandmother, Verla Walter Dietsch because she was so opposed to me going to Japan in 1985. She was very outspoken against Japan because she lived through the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the war that followed. She sacrificed and worried about her family and friends that were fighting. She never got over the feelings that event in her life created. She wrote me a letter while I was in Japan and told me her feelings and was so afraid that I would come to harm while I was there. I am glad that I was able to spend time with her in 1987 and talk to her about what a lovely country Japan was and how kind the Japanese people were to me. I don't know that she believed me but I tried. When I returned home in 1989, she was very happy that I was finally away from Japan.
I am wondering what is going to happen now. Will there be retaliation? Will we loose more service members lives? Will there be another attack on our shores?
There have been some heartwarming moments displayed on the news tonight. The crowd that gathered at the White House and sang. The people of New York who gathered at Ground Zero, the site of the Twin Towers to mourn again the ones who were lost and to celebrate that justice was finally served. I am struck by how patriotic everyone seems to be, right now, at this moment in time.
Compared to my grandmother, I have not had to sacrifice anything. Those of us who were not service members have not had to give up any comforts in order for Osama Bin Laden to be found. There are many families who have been harmed by the death or injury of a loved one on September 11, 2001 through the present date. While the loss of over 3000 civilians caused great media attention, the continued loss of service members have not garnered much media attention. As the mother of a service member, I am constantly aware of those losses because "there but for the grace of God, go I."
I cried because I was happy. I cried because I was relieved. I cried because I am worried that there will be more tragedy. I cried because I do not want to mourn the loss of any more service members during this war. Most of all, I cried because I could not hug my son who has been serving in the U. S. Army since this conflict began and he is not here, with me, safe at home. Even though America's biggest enemy has been killed, my son will continue to serve our country. I am very proud of him.
For my grandmother who died in 1999, I understand how you felt because now I have experienced an attack on our country. I wondered if you cried when you heard the news of Japan's surrender and then the end of the war. I hope to know that feeling, when this is really over.
