Memorial Day

 

When I was in my early twenties, I lived in another country for a year and a half.  When I first stepped off the plane, I realized quickly that I wasn’t in the U.S. anymore.  It wasn’t just the different buildings and mountains covered in jungle.  It wasn’t the smell of street refuse and body odor.  The thing that really took me aback and made me realize I wasn’t home, was the sight of soldiers holding AK-47′s at the bottom of the airplane steps .

 

 

As I traveled around the country, we were stopped at different checkpoints along the way, where other soldiers with other AK-47′s commanded us to unload from the bus and show our “papers”.  Some people were taken away for not having the “proper” documentation.  I don’t know where they went.

 

 

In one small town where I stayed, some neighbors informed my friend and I that some government officials had stopped by looking for us.  Since my visa was due to expire, I figured they were just making sure I would renew it.  Our neighbors seemed awful fearful though.

 

 

Toward the end of my time there, the U.S. Embassy in the capital was bombed by rebellious university students.  Military police were dispatched to all major cities.  I got out of the capital that morning, but was stopped along the way several times for document checks.  Everyone was on edge.  No one joked or smiled.  I ended up in a larger city in the north.  Military police in full riot gear were stationed around the city.  Stores were closed.  The streets were practically empty.  I headed out to the suburbs to wait it out.

 

 

On my way home, our flight took us to the port of Miami.  After clearing Customs, I made my way along a corridor that led to the rest of the airport.  All of a sudden, there in front of me was the beautiful American Flag.  My relief was physical.  I wanted to cry with joy.  I wanted to kiss the ground.  I did neither, but just stood there for a moment to reflect on the blessing I had of living in this country and enjoying the freedom to move around at will, to worship as I pleased.  I thought about how grateful I was for the men and women who had gone before me to secure that freedom.  To my relatives who fought in many wars. To those who now risk their lives everyday to keep us free and safe.

 

 

I was just thinking about that today…