Entitlements

I am now a veteran. No longer do I merely have the label of "Soldier", or "officer", but I have the added distinction of having been in a combat theater. With that comes certain entitlements.

I know there are certain military benefits I will receive now and in the future. I know there is a big parade in November, certain brand name businesses give discounts, and I get to hang out at the VFW and swill watered down beer and begin each story with, "there I was...". However there are other entitlements I am looking forward to as soon as possible upon returning home.

Here is a short list:

My daughter's arms around me in a great big hug that steals my breath and lasts as long as she can hold on.

A good steak dinner with my father in North Carolina.

The beers promised to me by Pat, Gregg, and the gang at work.

Lisa's smile and twinkling eyes...in person.

The smell of my lawn as I cut the grass.

BBQing in my backyard.

Sleeping a bed longer than I am.

Talking to mom without getting cut off by the satellite phone's poor reception.

Getting let off for at least one ticket for driving too fast.

A nice bottle of wine to share with Lisa.

The feel of jeans and a T-shirt.

Not carrying a weapon everywhere I go.

Laughter; good, hearty laughter.

Swimming in the ocean.

Finding a place of peace and quiet without the sound of generators, explosions, helicopters, tanks, and every other thing that pollutes the air with noise over here.

The days in Iraq are coming to an end. This camp is a step in the right direction. This place is all military. There is no sign of "Iraq" in any direction for miles; no traffic, no buildings, no locals, no sheiks, no imams. We are mentally unwinding. The next step is to get to Kuwait and then quickly move on to North Carolina.

I will keep you posted.