Mail Call

I received a Shut-Off notice in the mail yesterday, not to mention that yesterday marked the official 30 days past due on our mortgage, and was reminded as to the precipitous conditions of Casey's departure. It took the threat of financial doom to liberate him from the belief that to join the Army was to compromise his intellect. He could've "saved us" by going back to Chicago with his company and continuing to work in Corporate sales, but instead WE decided to put finances on hold so that he could get back in shape, after all he had been sitting behind a desk for 3 years, to best serve his country. Once a National Champion Track Athlete, I worried as to how the Army would utilize his talents, I didn't want him to get hurt. The decision, though stress inducing was a great one because he was recruited into the Dive Program, "the most physically demanding school in the Army". Neither of us even knew the Army had Divers until he was assigned the MOS. He wanted to join the Army in high school and was reprimanded by family. His recruiting letter from West Point went into a shoe box, only to be discovered by him 15 years later.


He simply seized the opportunity to fulfill a calling he had felt for a long time. He wanted to do this 15 years ago, but came to be ashamed of his desire and locked it away until the moment that he could vindicate his decision (to his own family and friends) with the excuse of economic hardship. What does this say about us, that civic servitude/pride and intellectualism have been polarized?

To be honest I am a bit jealous of him. That he has been able to finally realize his desire despite the criticism and opposition. I feel a bit left behind to man this island and care for it's inhabitants. I do NOT want to be mistaken for a mousey housewife holding down the fort in the absence of it's real protector. I am the one that makes the servitude a possible.