for telling that story. It really makes me stop and think about how things turn out in life and what to make of it all.

I’m glad you survived, and I had no idea you were there. Thanks for keeping me in college while you were there. I eventually served, but way later, when the war was almost over. Thanks.

cheers to that guardian angel. The world would be a much less interesting, sexy gorgeous place without you, Hawk.

^{Sis is right about writing this stuff down outside of here. I’ll shut up now, as you already know my feelings on the subject.}

not only for your guardian angel, but for people like you who have served to protect the rest of us. You ARE appreciated.

on a project the NEA has funded called “Operation Homecoming,” in which writers, some veterans (Tobias Wolfe, Tim O’Brien, and others), offer creative writing workshops to active duty troops in order to empower them to tell their stories. Some pretty amazing writing is beginning to emerge from the experience of soldiers in Iraq, as well as some really talented writers. The NEA is hoping to find funding to expand this program to reserve units and veterans. At least one anthology is due out soon based on these efforts.

I don’t need to state the obvious, but I will: there is real value and importance in troops and veterans telling thier stories. The sharing of these accounts benefits the writers and readers alike, and contributes to the public consciousness, putting a crucial human face on war.

Keep using your talents to tell these stories, Hawk, in whatever form. They are more important than you may know.