» Inspiration of the Day: The Infantry Soldier

Inspiration of the Day: The Infantry Soldier

August 20th, 2011

Inspiration: Bravery, Courage, Gratitude, Patience, Persistence, Kindness, Service

I was walking my dog the other night and met a young man also walking his. He had a kind face and sparkling blue eyes, an overall sweet energy. He didn’t look a day over eighteen. Our paths had crossed before when walking our dogs. He had a new energetic puppy who was as white and fluffy as a cotton ball. This time, I shared with him that I wasn’t comfortable walking alone at night, and he graciously offered to accompany me while our dogs did their thing. He shared that he recently got married to a girl he met through a friend. I congratulated him. It’s always nice to hear a soldier has found love; military life can be a very lonely one. While his wife pursued nursing school, he was completing the few months left on his Army contract.

“What do you do in the Army?” I asked.

“I’m Infantry,” he said.

“What do you do there?” I asked, clueless.

He paused for a moment then said, “I kill people.”

My eyes widened.

He shrugged and said, “Sorry to be so frank, but I don’t know how else to say it. That’s what we’re trained to do.”

His kind and sweet demeanor, boyish face and gentle way about him made it challenging for me to visualize him hurting, let alone killing, another person. But, an enlisted soldier can be asked to do whatever is needed, and there isn’t always an option. I could see this young man performing these duties with the protective instinct of keeping his fellow men, and us, safe.

“So, all those bombs I hear going off….?” I waited for him to explain what I had been listening to here for so many months.

“Oh yeah, that’s us practicing,” he said. “Half of us play the bad guys and the other half has to practice being in combat with them. It’s to help prepare us for what we’ll be dealing with when we’re sent over.”

He went on to explain how they perform full drills, involving not only bombs but helicopters and the heavy fire I often hear ricochet through the woods.

“I’m not involved with the training too much anymore, not since I was injured,” he added.

I wanted to know more, but didn’t want to overwhelm him with the hundreds of questions that were bombarding my mind. Instead I asked, “Are you looking forward to getting out?”

“Oh yeah!” he said with relief. “We’re looking at houses in the city.” He reached down to pet his squirming puppy. “We want to get our dog certified as a therapy dog so she could visit nursing homes, hospitals and maybe even help veterans.”

“What a wonderful idea,” I said. I had considered doing this with my Chihuahua, but wasn’t sure her picky temperament would make the best therapy dog. It would have to be on her terms. She’s the kind of dog who would say, “I don’t want to comfort that person because I simply don’t like them.” This guy’s dog, however, seemed to love everyone and everything on it’s path. A little angel dog.

I dropped my dog’s poo bag in the receptacle, and then asked him, “How many tours have you been on?”

“Two.”

My head shifted back with surprise. “Do you mind me asking you how old you are?”

“Not all all. Twenty-three,” he replied, proudly. “I went on my first tour when I was eighteen.”

He had already had multiple surgeries due to injuries he endured in the war. I couldn’t believe this young man I was speaking to was sent to war twice in the line of fire, and he not only survived but was now a war veteran. A twenty-three year old war veteran. He was positive, kind, humble, and thinking of how he could help others. When I thought of what other twenty-three year old men are doing, it really put into perspective just how brave these young soldiers are. It made me think the freedom they’re giving us is not just in the larger sense of protecting our country, but really because this young man chose to go to war, he provides the freedom to another young man to go to college or a safe job at home instead. If it weren’t for the men who are willing to join the military, there is always the possibility of a draft. If I were a guy, and on behalf of the men in my life, I’d send thank you cards to all these servicemen for making sacrifices that most civilians will never realize.

“When people say thank you for all that you do, they really don’t know just how hard the military life is, on so many different levels,” I said, following the footsteps of our dogs.

“They have no idea,” he smiled, a smile that said his service and sacrifices would be kept private, a part of his history that may be shared with his grandchildren if he ever feels inclined to pass on his experiences.

He walked me to my door and gave me his number in case I ever needed anything. “You can call anytime,” he said as he typed his information in my phone. “That’s the kind of people my wife and I are.”

They are special people, people who are naturally inclined to serve, heal and protect. This young soldier mentioned he would use his military benefits to go to college when his contract expires. I envision this do-good couple sharing lots of wisdom, love, comfort and healing in our world. And I’m thankful for them.

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