12 years ago, as a junior in high school, the U.S. and the world went through the Gulf War. At the time, my friends and I, as 17 year olds (give or take a year) pondered the possibilities that war presented. Since the most recent full-scale conflict at the time was the Vietnam War, the idea of being drafted seemed pretty plausible if the war dragged on for any length of time. It didn't and we weren't. The war didn't hit home in any direct way for me or my family and friends. The closest it hit was with my brother's best friend from High School who flew replacement Intruders over after the war had ended and flew battle tested Intruders back.

It is a bit different now. I don't worry about a draft, for anyone or myself. I don't expect any fighting to go on for very long, at least on a large scale. But it is a bit different in other ways. Now I know people who are involved. One former roommate has been deployed. He is a co-pilot in the Marines and flies transports. His squadron lost a plane and its crew in Afghanistan a year ago. I have no idea what he'll be doing or where he will be. His wife just gave birth to their second child and is at home with them in San Diego. Another college roommate will probably be sent somewhere because he is in the Air Force reserves. He doesn't have children but he is married. I haven't spoken to either of them about their feelings but I'm pretty confident in saying that they will perform as they have been trained. Most soldiers and such probably don't look forward to war but realize that it is a possibility.

My thoughts and prayers definitely go out to the military forces in the Middle East. It doesn't matter what my stance is politically at this moment.

Ferrick