Here is a blog by an Army soldier who posts about his time away from home as well as his personal life. He talks about things like the birth of his child and his wife's battle with cancer.
http://kafstorm.blogspot.com/2005/04/gift-from-army.html
This is a link to a specific post from April '05, but you can access any post from the menu on the right side.
I find it compassionate that that the Army let him stay home an extra two weeks to see the birth of his son.
Enjoy!
I agree with the fact that it was compassionate on the part of the army to allow him to stay home for two weeks to see his child and help his family but that also got me thinking about the plight of the soldiers in the armed forces over the world, most of whom do not get such opportunities.
ReplyDeleteThese men defend boundaries of each nation without asking much in return giving up their lives, family and comfort. Most of us do not think much about the loneliness and stress these soldiers face. It's also disheartning to see how global politics affects the lives and families of these young and brave soldiers who have sacrificed so much for our safety.
Absolutely. It's seems unheard of that any soldier serving today would receive that kind of treatment. But why does it take the birth of his son and the death of his wife for him to get his "vacation?"
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, however, some questions about just how "compassionate" or "caring" the army is came to me when reading his latest blog under the 2010 link.
Apparently the media has been reporting that the war is over. Is this because they're bored of headlines about bombings, or is this maybe because they've been swindled by the government to say so, in hopes of gaining the trust and popularity of American citizens? As the blogger states, the war is nowhere close to being finished and awful things still happen to the thousands of troops stationed there everyday.
We here in the states read and hear these stories and have hope that the violence will stop and loved ones in danger will come home, but this is only followed by more Middle Eastern conflict, a soldier's delayed visit home, if any visit happens at all, and more death and destruction.
The blogger's scenario aside, if the truth isn't being told to anyone, than is it really compassion?
I completely agree with what you said Katherine, but personally I think that it is a reality of a soldier's life, for them to miss important events, which are considered sacrifices they make to ensure the safety of others. That isn't to say I think hiding the truth is thought to be compassionate, but perhaps it is to put the public at ease and increase the faith in the government regarding the deployment of soldiers.
ReplyDeleteI think the soldier was very lucky to have the opportunity to stay the extra time at home to see the birth of his child.
I couldn't imagine the life of a soldier. They do so much for not only our country but for others abroad as well. I feel like they don't receive enough thank yous. So many people focus on giving negative feedback about the project instead of being grateful and proud of our soldiers. They deserve our support no matter what. I'm grateful that I live in a free country and I have all the soldiers, past and present to thank. I'm very glad that this soldier got to come home for his child's birth. I'm sure his wife and child are eternally grateful to be able to share that experience with him. After all the work he does, he deserved it. In a perfect world, having soldiers who stay away from their families for long periods of time wouldn't be necessary but it is. I hope one day in the future it is no longer necessary.
ReplyDeleteI could not imagine having to be away during a time like that. I know that when things have gone wrong in my family, I have wanted nothing but to be with them. I found it hard to even go to school which was only five minutes away. It is so uncommon for someone who is in the Army to be able to get that much time off, and it is absolutely wonderful that they were able to let him have not only the two weeks off to see his child born, but also the time off to help after the birth, when things took a turn for the worse.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Katherine when she says why does it take the death of his wife, and the birth of his child to receive the ‘vacation’ to spend time with his family. It is ridiculous that the Army will not give their soldiers who are sacrificing everything for our country, the time off to be able to be there for the birth of one of their children, or for the anticipated death of a loved one. It just does not seem right that they are not able to get this time from the Army while the Army expects that they give everything for them.
I agree with Brandon and Katherine and everyone who feels that it is wrong that soldiers who are willing to give their lives and bodies for our country, do not always get to come back to see the birth of one of their babies, or visit an ill family member that could be on the verge of death. But at the same time if the Army would let everyone have a vacation for a birth or a death, it could mean thousands of soldiers taking a vacation at one time. It could drastically decrease the amount of soldiers in a certain area or it could even mean that another soldier would have to go and take their place and the whole argument would start again. I am just playing devil's advocate, but the army does have their reasons for why they do not let everyone or most come back.
ReplyDeleteAlso, a little not relating to the topic, but I could not view the above topic post. When I click on it, it says that it does not exist. And then forwards me to other blogs from that site.
I find the style of this blog, both in appearance and writing, to be very fascinating. When I imagine the look of a soldier's blog, I picture a bunch of stereotypical military imagery - desert camo background, pictures of tanks, etc. Instead I saw a lot of warm colors and photos of a what looked like any other family.
ReplyDeleteThat contrast between what I expected from the interface and what I got is mirrored in the site's content. I was expecting a blog titled "A Storm in Afghanistan" to feature rugged stories from the battlefield, but instead the author showed himself living very much like a normal person.
The blog offers a very personal look at war, showing that people in the military aren't that different from civilians like me. Perhaps it's just because I thought there would be a prevalent combat theme, but I feet that the blog's appearance does a nice job of conveying that idea.
I have noticed after looking through many of his blog posts, and even more comments for that matter, that readers love to comment on anything of his that is family or life related. I think this is because the readers connect with him on an emotional level, and are attracted to the emotional appeal (pathos), as opposed to the readers commenting on his casual updates about the news or anything rather short that he posts.
ReplyDeleteThis suggests that the writer blogs for an audience that will find interest in his life and family matters, and of course he blogs because it serves as a dedicated to his wife. More than likely his followers will be anyone who used to be in the military and now has a family, someone with a family member who is either on active duty or has returned home, or anyone who finds it interesting to take a look into the personal life of someone in the military, and how they deal with being away from their family.
I completely agree with Alex's comments on what I expected from the blog. When I first looked at the title and thought about what I might be reading, I had no idea that the site would offer such personal stories and photographs. The colors (pink and white) along with the photo of the soldier's diseased wife and another of him kissing his newborn baby were elements of the site that caught my attention. I was interested to read the blog because the first appearance was not what I had expected. This warm theme made me capable of understanding the soldier's struggles better than I think I would have if all the blog talked about was deaths and battles etc. Instead of feeling like an outsider looking in, the blogger’s choice of colors and photographs personalizes the site to make reader’s feel more welcome and understanding towards his struggles as well as his success.
ReplyDeleteThis blog is very, intensely personal. His stories from the war, his stories about his wife Elicia and their battle with cancer, and how the army and his job affects his life... it's all filled with personal details. I think it takes a lot of bravery and honesty to write about these things, and in such a public medium.
ReplyDeleteThe title of the blog leads to a much different mental image than the reality though. With a title like "A Storm in Afghanistan", I wasn't expecting so many posts about his wife and her battle with cancer, or how his job in the army affects her, or the uh... stunningly pink background. But it was a nice surprise, and I think that it makes this blog a bit more unique.
I also found the appearance of the blog to be shocking at first. I feel as if the blogger really wants his readers to have a certain opinion of him. Within seconds of looking at the blog, it sends many messages about who the blogger is. He has put forth so much effort on this appearance, he probably wants his readers to think of him as a kind, family oriented person. On his political blog, this doesn't seem to be a concern of his. Even though the tone isn't exactly serious, he doesn't seem to be attempting to please the same audience while writing about the political aspects of war.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't agree with Alex's comment more. From my first glance at the blog, I was a tad confused as if I entered a wrong site. Appearance-wise,"A Storm in Afghanistan”, with its theme color--pink, suggests a very personal and comfortable feeling, which is exactly how the content of his writing turns out to be for the most part. No image of intense, painful battles, no picture of wounded soldiers, just his stories and thoughts as a normal civilian, a family man and a father.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find most interesting while reading this blog is that the direct and personal sense that it offers is actually what makes me feel highly connected with the author. My guess would be that, as he lives most of his time in the battlefield, he should have experienced more excruciating and grievous moments than any of us would have. Then, if this blog,by any chance, is considered as his zone to “escape” from those heavy moments, there is a good reason for him to be thankful and positive about little happiness and joys occurred in his life, rather than keep on replaying bitter memories that happened, or search for reasons to be frustrated.
Having said that, there are still various entries, in which we can find him discussing political and war issues, just in a rather humorous, entertaining and sarcastic way. But then again, those elements are what make this blog becomes something that a lot of us can relate to.
At the first glance of the blog, it's absolutely not odd to form a misconception that is it really a blog written by a soldier? No shocking images of battle, no images of uniformed militaries, all those presented on the homepage is the color pink and apparently, that picture of his wife and the sentence which draws my tears---In loving memory...
ReplyDeleteThe huge contrast to my expectation on a war-related blog didn't end until I saw the time counter and the very tiny ling of characters Life W/o Ellicia...it touched me seriously. By that time, I'd got the understanding that Stanley not only wants to show us his experience in Afghanistan, but also his life as an ordinary civilian. To a man who devotes himself to the nation while he lost his love but witnessed the birth of his son at almost the same time, I can't find a simple word to describe his life.
However, Stanley uses pink which stands for warmness and love. Meanwhile, he delivers a message to us all readers that with his forever memory in his wife, he also has the hope come from his little son. The war never ends naturally and so does his life.
it's so brave for him to write those things in a public medium. I noticed there are quite a number of visitors from different countries. I feel happy that so many people can know a different side of the war through a different angle. Hope the blog would bring more positive impacts on the war, and the world.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first read the title I was expecting to read about Afghanistan or typical war topics but when i scrolled down and started to read the blog it wasn't anything I expected.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing that threw me off was the picture of his wife with "In loving memory" written over it because it's surprising that he's the one off at war and is supposedly in danger and ironically she's the one that passed away.
Also, going along with the 'war' theme, the picture of Stanley kissing his new born baby didn't make me upset or feel depressed. It's apparent that this was one of the happiest moments in his life and you can almost feel his happiness through this personal picture.
Since the color theme of the blog was bright and the picture of his newborn radiated love, it was hard to be sad about his loss of Ellicia. It was obvious that it was a dedication for her but the blog as a whole isn't suppose to be a mourning of his loved one. It's also a celebration of the new joy in his life.
I, like many of the other contributors, was quite confused when I went to the site. When I think of the title "A Storm in Afghanistan" the images, words, and colors that are displayed on the blog site are far from the first ones that pop into my mind. The blog that I was imagining before I went to the actual site was one of a soldier, full of combat stories, and war pictures not pink backgrounds and heartwarming entries about his family. Personally, I find this refreshing as I believe that there is so much killing, death, and hate out there on the internet.
ReplyDeleteAlso, what I find extremely abnormal is the lack of sharp criticism and intolerance of others beliefs present in the comments of the public. Throughout most of the blogs that I have read, there is always some sort of mini war being waged through the users comment boxes, however all that I have seen here are words of reassurance and kindness which, through my experience, is an extremely rare occasion.
Also noteworthy is the author’s evident effort to separate his own political opinions from factual information, as seen in his post "Was Pelosi Right?"
I must admit that, as a fervent anti-war person and just to stir the water some, I was going through different posts trying to find something war related that I could rant about since the blog is so seemingly contradictory.I wanted to find something that I could point to and say "Look this is still a War blog, he's participating in the War blah blah blah. However I just read his post entitled "My Hardest Post," and I feel horrible for trying to find something to try and rat this guy out on. The post detailed a few very important trips to the hospital over a few days that lead to the discovery that not only did his wife need a mastectomy but she also had long cancer and 11 tumors in her brain as well. My stomach fell out when I read that. This man has been through hell and it wasn't even on the battlefield. The way he describes the situation completely conveys his heartbreak, anger, and helplessness. Until that moment I hadn't been impressed by the blog but he does now truly have my deepest sympathy.
ReplyDeleteAlthough i rather hate blogs... I find this one to be very interesting. It's honestly like a storybook and helps you connect with a person you otherwise would never have known. It's a powerful story, and i especially like that he is trying to blame the army, and put a positive spin on it. My question would have to be the title. A title is supposed to pique your interest about the blog. Had i been scanning for one and saw the title, i'd immediately pass over it. It should in some way show that this is about him and his family. "A soldiers battlefront at ohm" or something would be more appropriate. It tells you its about a soldier, but tells you its about home, not war. Just a personal opinion.
ReplyDeletetypo alert...*Home
ReplyDeleteI like that our blogger has another link to his political blog. This states rather obviously that this blog is his thoughts for his family and friends to check up on him, read his emotion, thoughts and feeling, and that he has a seperate blog for his political views.
ReplyDeleteSince the blog is being expressed form a soldiers point of view you have to automatically respect what he is saying, whether or not you agree with it is a different story. The way he expresses his feelings engages you as if you were communicating with him in person. His writing causes you to feel sorry for his situation, which most of you have already stated. He has been through struggle both in and out of the war areas, for this reason he has my deepest sympathy.
ReplyDeleteObviously, the title conceals too much information, making the pink color seems unexpected. From the words behind, I realized the theme is not storm, but the blogger’s family and love behind it. I was alarmed by those warm words coming out from a soldier. They seem to tell me that soldiers are actually like normal people inside, however boldly and resolutely they behave in the battlefield.
ReplyDeleteThis adds to my admiration and compassion towards soldiers, because I cannot imagine how much misery they have to take. I received a military training for two weeks in high school, and that was really the fiercest storm in my life. No life risking and no problems from home, I still felt the strongest homesickness. It’s not only because of the intense training, but also of the military spirit I felt hard to absorb: do not treat yourself as a boy or a girl, but a soldier instead. I was forced to set aside all my personal feelings, which made me imagine that a soldier is like a machine, instilled a spirit of loyalty. Forrest Gump may think it’s easy, but I might be the guy who’s thinking about shrimp cooking all day. This could even kill me, then how about the real soldiers facing death everyday and with concern about the family far away?
Apparently, the blogger is really a lucky guy, but from his words “Most guys on a deployment don't get to come home (if at all) until after the birth”, his surprised feeling towards his luckiness, his description of the army’s compassion “rare”, and a phrase from the first comment “the first person i read thankful with the us army”, I know there are so many soldiers that are still enduring the pain which we never experience, and how envious they would be if they read this blog! Meanwhile, I wonder why this guy can be so fortunate to come home to see his baby born and to stay for a while, while others “don't get to come home (if at all) until after the birth”. Doesn’t the army notice the unfairness? Or the soldier had met some requirements to gain this opportunity while others hadn’t?
However, fact is that it’s impossible that all soldiers have the opportunity to get home if his family has some problem. Army, not only in the US, is really a special organization that is hard to treat all soldiers as normal persons, though they really are. During war period, there’s nothing more important than the soldiers’ duty, so taking a risk of losing life or being absent from home when family has some problem might be a destiny of every soldier in the world. But there’s a Chinese soldier who regards his loyalty to mission as a repay of love to his late wife, and turns his love for his wife as a motivation to accomplish his mission, combining the duty and family love together. I don’t know if it’s a good way of extricating from sorrow.
Oops, seems that I’ve said too much, I didn’t mean to…even want to say more, but you see, time doesn’t allow…gotta go to class…=.=