Labor Day!

[navygreen]

Philip and his convoy were the target of another explosion yesterday. However, this time his truck was not damaged at all - the bomb actually missed the truck and landed near to them on the ground. He did say there was still debris and rock everywhere, and to quote him, he was "still pissed" about it.

*sigh*

It's a two-edged sword, really. I know that if I wish with all my heart for him to come home soon, I'm also wishing for someone else to be sent there in his place. And I would never wish for someone else to be separated like this, to be put in such awful danger on a day-to-day basis. But still - I want my Philip home.

---

Yesterday as the boys and I were pulling up to the base, two cops were out there lowering the 50 flags at Kenney Gate. When I reached the guy checking IDs, I inquired as to why the flags were going to half-mast. The guard told me it was because Chief Justice Rehnquist had passed away. I thanked him for the information, and he then went on to tell me, "You'd think they'd have been lowered already - for all the Katrina victims and people."

As I drove away, that got me thinking. Bush *did* order the flags at half-mast after September 11th. If I remember correctly, they stayed that way for about 2 months or so, even. Not only that, but they are ordered to be lowered each year on that day. Why aren't the victims of Hurricane Katrina just as important? Why doesn't our flag care about them as well?

Grr.

---

The boys and I are meeting Heather at Golden Corral in just a few minutes. I love breakfast buffets, but GC usually only has them on Saturdays and Sundays. Saturdays are out because there's not time to get a full breakfast like that in before I have to work, and Sundays are about the same - we can't function early enough before church. However, GC is having a special full breakfast buffet for today - Labor Day - and so I asked Heather a few days ago if she would breakfast with us. She said, "That would be delightful!"

And we're off. Happy Labor Day to you all! :-)

Comments

[adiasplat.livejournal.com]

You are a far far far nicer person than I am. I would wish Mickey home and probably wouldn't think too hard about the consequences for someone else of him coming home.
But... I know this about myself, and therefore, if he were still in the Navy, he and I may not be where we are now. I wouldn't have been able to handle it. And although I appreciate the freedoms that I have here in the US, I don't have the same allegiance to the country that you probably have. (Being that I'm always going to be a Canadian, deep down).
But that's just me.

When is his estimated return date?

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

You're stronger than you think, Leanne. If it were your life and you had to pull through, I'm sure you'd do so with flying colors. :-)

[adiasplat.livejournal.com]

Well if we were together and it happened, of course I'd make it. But I might not have chosen to be together, if I had known that he'd probably be away for months at a time. I was terrified after 9/11 that he could get called back but he assured me that he shouldn't - he's not even in the reserves so things would have to be pretty bad for them to take him back.

I mean, look at how lost I feel when he goes to Lawton for 10 days. :P

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

I'm screening this one, so don't reply to it - just remember the info and don't mention it anywhere yet, okay?

Philip told me about 5 weeks ago that it looks like he will get to come home early - as in, before Thanksgiving, even. The best estimate he will give me over the phone or in instant messenger is this: "about 2 weeks after Grandpa's birthday."

His grandpa's birthday? September 28.

*excited squeal*

[kataclysmic.livejournal.com]

I understand you wanting Philip home, and I really hope the time between now and his homecoming goes quickly for both of you, and the boys.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Thanks, chick. The same goes to you and your brother. *hug*

[flyingwolf.livejournal.com]

I hope you don't mind me quoting some of this post in my own journal. You make such a good point about the flag. Why wasn't it lowered? THOUSANDS are probably dead. I'm curious to see if anyone comments.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Wowie. Syndication.

Thanks, chick. I'm glad to know there are other people wondering the same thing.

[flyingwolf.livejournal.com]

wow. one of my friends comments promted this rant by another friend:
http://www.livejournal.com/users/stuartc/18005.html

But I also went searching after chelelev mentioned that they mentioned on MSNBC that flags were lowered because of Katrina. Our wonderful president (cough) did make a proclemation yesterday about lowering the flag because of Katrina. Right before he made one for Rehnquist. Sunday.

So, now the question is - WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG?

[greencow.livejournal.com]

my thoughts turn frequently towards you and your family. i pray phillip comes home safe.

[niecer1.livejournal.com]

I am praying for you and your family..
About the flag thing-that stinks!
We should be a nation of mourning for Katrina victims..
Double grrr...
How was the food at G.C.!?
I have never eaten there.

[mrs-picasso.livejournal.com]

I also thought of the Katrina victims when I heard the flag was half staff.

A good labor day to you as well!

[scarletharlot52.livejournal.com]

I am very glad that Philip is okay and I hope he will be home soon.

I never thought about the half-staff thing until you mentioned it. That brings up a bunch of very interesting questions. Does it imply that one old white guy who just happens to be Chief Justice's life is equal to 10,000 poor people's lives? To the federal government, anyway?

I know you are a Bush supporter, Brat, and I am wondering what you think of the response to Katrina. I've noticed that many Bush supporters are feeling very let down by W's administration's response. What are your thoughts on this?

I don't mean to be a disturber in your journal so you can tell me to take it offline, if you want.

[navygreen.livejournal.com]

Just like you said, I did feel very "let down." I don't think things were handled at all the way they should have been. Too many people sat on their butts for a bit too long, and look at the devastation that it caused. Yes, there still would have been a huge mess from Katrina, but no - nowhere NEAR these many lives had to be lost, nor did the evacuation need to turn into a disgusting joke.

I honestly think that the flag thing was forgotten... until Rehnquist died. Then it was like, "Oops. Here you go. We're lowering the flag for the Chief Justice AND all you poor people in the South."

Grr.

[laurushka.livejournal.com]

I want your Philip home too!