U.S.A.F. Niagara Falls, New York
May 3, 2008 — britishgingerWe spent the entire day in Niagara Falls, New York, and on a break, I made a quick run to a Wendy’s restaurant. In front of me in line were four young Air Force men who looked to be in their late teens, or very early twenties. Behind me was a young couple with a baby, and behind them more Air Force men.
As I stood there waiting in the queue, I chatted with the couple beside me who said their baby had been fussy in the car. As we were talking, the Air Force lads were playing with the baby and keeping her entertained, and it struck me that these boys, dressed in fatigues and black boots, are like all the other American boys being sent to Iraq, many of whom never return.
It reminded me that wars are fought by the young men, those barely out of high school and, at that moment, it seemed wrong that the men standing near me should be sent where too many others have lost their lives. It also reminded me of the American Cemetery in Normandy, France, where I saw field after field of white crosses with the names and ranks of fallen soldiers of the second world war; those buried in France the same age as these Air Force boys. I marvelled at their camaraderie, their courtesy, and couldn’t help but wonder what their futures held.
I hope there is an end to the war in Iraq.
