Morale: The sheepdogs are on guard tonight

The anniversary of Bastogne caused me to think about a great many things. A parent and two uncles all of whom are gone now. All of whom served in WWII but seldom spoke of it. I think of my own family and I won't ever forget the men and women serving overseas.

Many will remember the HBO series “Band of Brothers”. Some say it is the greatest war film of all time. Regardless of opinion, the movie is a unique depiction of world history and a phenomenally moving piece of cinematography.

Above is the only rendition of “Requiem for a Soldier”, the movies theme song, that I have ever heard with words.

Today, my family is very happy to have adopted a solder serving overseas through the Soldiers Angels organization. Our first adoptee a few years earlier, did not make the trip home from Iraq. A coward killed him with an IED. We all sting from that.

Our “new” adopted soldier Brandon, served in Iraq two years ago where he was awarded the Purple Heart after another, similar IED attack. He re-enlisted shortly thereafter and was promoted to Sgt. He serves in Easy-Company, 2nd Battalion of the 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne - the fully reconstituted “Band of Brothers”. Before they shipped out to Iraq they enjoyed the rare opportunity to meet the still living members of that same unit, the ones that fought in WWII, the ones whose horrors and successes were depicted in the movie. To say their history, the sheer weight of it, affects everything the unit does today is an understatement.

Tonight, they sit on the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan watching, waiting, knowingly being watched by the Taliban at the same time. Sometimes their life is astoundingly quiet, even boring. Sometimes, the forward operating base takes incoming mortars every hour, all day and night. But our soldier, the one who is always smiling in his photos with his brothers in arms and especially with his lovely wife and child leads us to believe that he, no... that they, are all committed and that they will be victorious. This Christmas Eve we are pleased to know, somewhere there are those who accept the life of the sheepdog and its responsibilities. They do what has to be done to protect the helpless and those they love.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Sincerely,
2nd Lt Rob Johnson
CTWG Public Affairs