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There really are only a few story lines in the world, the most common of which is Love. As a world we have seen this story line played out in countless books, films, oral tradition and every now and then our own lives. I think we all try to find the true love story for ourselves and in our lives and hope that we will have that really magical event in our lives. Disclosure ( I am not making a statement about MY love story or stating that there are stories BETTER than mine.) With work I come across Families that have been stressed and strained and sadly they do not always stay together, even in my own life after returning from Iraq on my last tour the reunion process was less than romantic. I have seen some remarkable strength and determination and dedication but more often than not I see it boil down to basic selfish desires and ideals and most families/ marriages end abruptly with animosity. While sitting at one of my temporary work spaces who knows where I read a letter not addressed to me but a kind of general "please take into consideration" the needs of my love but no real mention of herself. This is common however who she was not common in terms of her relationship. She was a girl friend/ fiance and in terms of the military that is not really recognized until there is a formal or legal relationship. So with NO support or recognition what would YOU do for love. This is what really impressed me and brought out the real love story. I have talked with many folks and heard many definitions of love story and seen great ones with my friends, Steve ad Wendy, Souci and Stacy, my friend Julie sharing vignettes about struggling and still finding time to support each other even if it meant hanging while one trains horses but like most humans I dig a good story. So, back to this letter, it starts out with a basic introduction of the situation which involves a high profile incident late last year at Fort Hood. Most of the news was intense when it first happened and there was a select few that got the majority of the camera time but there were a couple that suffered far more than the rest with the exemption of the killed. The general public were not very informed on them or their condition because of the sensitivity of the issues and quite frankly I like many were happy to know that privacy was being protected and more importantly being RESPECTED. This story involves one of the wounded that was severely injured with a Gun Shot Wound that has kept the person in the hospital since the incident and most of the time in ICU. The out look has been touch and go and with the implication that this permanent damage has changed quality of life forever. Now, with the back story set would YOU fly across the country, sit bed side and pray? Would you give up your life and walk away from all that is yours to stand, sit and sleep in an uncomfortable chair and not for a week. Would You do it with perhaps no hope at all. I got the opportunity to meet this young lady and of course on my way there I wondered WHO I would really meet, perhaps I analyze stuff too much but I had this vision in my head. Let's just say, I was not thinking Helen of Troy or Juliet, perhaps a little Sandra Bullock in, While You Were Sleeping but WHO I met was truly inspiring. I will use only a first name to respect the identity but Jessica truly is the example of an American Love Story. Here is a normal, beautiful, young lady that walked away from all that was hers to be bedside of her love. She has endured some resistance and frustrations because she is not married to her Love and will not get married to solve a paperwork issue. She is maintaining her position and keeping her commitment to Love pure. The whole time she was talking I had Lara's theme playing in my head and it rejuvenated my belief in Love and in a weird transition I spent the road trip home thinking about commitment and my personal understanding of LOVE and COMMITMENT. I went through a whole range of emotions and memories and must say that every where I have been looking her the past couple of days I am seeing love and commitment. So with this written my I suggest you thank a Veteran this Memorial Day as he or she do understand commitment and Love, be it for country it's still LOVE!
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Great story, thanks for sharing. I would do the same thing, and she is