First of all I want you to know that you are not forgotten. I think about you everyday and many times during the day. I want you to know that I am grateful you are “over there” because that is keeping us safe “over here.”

Next, I want you to know that I don’t believe everything the media says. Catchy phrases sound good but are often misleading.

”America isn’t at war. The US Army and Marine Corps are at war. America is at the mall.”

That makes it sound as if we who are not physically on the battlefield simply don’t care. BULLSHIT.

#1. We are battling our own goons and bullies. If we the American people didn’t care there would have been a stampede behind that white flag long ago. In spite of the media, politicians, Hollywood and the “blame America” front guard HAMMERING at us to give up we are still committed to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

(Someday I will send you my “pretty in pink” letter written to Speaker Pelosi when she went sightseeing in Syria. I wrote to her, forwarded it to my senators, congressmen, President Bush … It was mailed, emailed it and phoned in. (Since letters counts for 5,000 people I try to get the most mileage out of each and every!)

#2. We’re not just shopping at the mall. I want to comment on the “at the mall” bit without sounding too technical. Please stay with me – this is an important point.

We the American people feel anxious about everything going on over there. We are also scared by things going on here in the U.S. of A. How couldn’t we – we are human beings with human feelings. Anxious people gossip, blame, distance, cling to, deny, over achieve and under achieve. Yes, we go to the malls. Sometimes, often it is to escape and forget our anxieties.

Mostly we, the citizen soldiers, need to do whatever we need to do to keep ourselves grounded, optimistic and healthy in mind, body and spirit so we can be there for you and with you.

It is our responsibility to enjoy the fruits of your labors. It is up to us to show our enemy “over there” and “over here” that we are not giving up on peace or hiding out under our beds. Let’s fills those malls to capacity. Let’s fills the airports, stadiums, churches, houses of worship, parks, beaches, universities with our bodies and our courageous American spirit.

#3. Thank you for your service. I almost lost one brother in the Beirut Embassy bombing of 1982. He retired from the service one month before this attack. So he lived to talk about it – his replacement was blown to pieces. I almost lost another brother who could have drawn one of those short straws on 9/11. Instead of him other pilots for American Airlines went down.

PLEASE don’t for one minute buy into this media tag line of the “forgotten” war. We know you are there. We look forward to welcoming you home with love when your tour is done.

Love,

One citizen’s voice, Viveca