If you have not been living under a rock for the past two days, you are probably aware of the fact that a mass casualty situation occurred in Afghanistan earlier this week. Four soldiers were killed and many were wounded. As we scramble to think of ways to support our Army Ranger families in their time of need, we all reach for hope.
We hope that we can comfort the families of the fallen and injured. We hope for the best possible outcome for the injured soldiers. We hope for no more casualty notifications.
But what we don’t want is doubt.
Our soldiers have been supporting the war on terrorism for thirteen years now. For our families, that means missed birthdays, major holidays, anniversaries, births, first steps ... and so much more.
We have lost friends and we have seen hard times. We have also had amazing homecomings, made lasting friendships, built bonds that will never be broken and we swell with pride when we see a scroll.
But as we try to rise up against the adversity that we are currently faced with, the sadness that we feel for our fellow servicemembers and their families we do not need doubt.
Numerous articles have spread on the "how" of the Ranger deaths. "Fox News has learned," one article breathlessly reads "that 13 other service members were also severely injured in the assault."
"New details emerge about how four U.S. military members died in Afghanistan," the headline screams.
How they died? Do you want to know how they died?
I'll tell you.
They died doing their job. These brave soldiers were going after a high value target. It is dangerous and it is the nature of their work.
Doubting the ways in which it happened is not beneficial. These four soldiers are no longer with us and many Rangers are wounded. This is the reality of war and I always go back to the Ranger Creed –- these soldiers “fully know the hazards of their chosen profession.”
As the wife of a Ranger, I fully know how much they train for combat situations. These boys are not home often. They spend more time in combat zones and in the field than they do in their own beds. But this is a price that we pay to ensure that they are well trained and prepared for any situation they may be faced with.
“There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.” – Buddha
There is no doubt in my mind that these soldiers are ready for combat and this mission was well planned. On October 6, 2013, these soldiers were doing their job, whether they called out to the terrorists or not, there isn’t a shadow of doubt that they were doing their job and they were doing it well.
Rangers Lead The Way!
