New job (709 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.42 on 15 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by J Ellis <jarretttai.at.hotmail.com> (View user info) at 2003-11-23 11:38:23 EST
I have just stepped into one of the hardest jobs I've ever had to do.
My job is to play taps at funerals for dead soldiers in Iraq.
My job is to not care enough so that I can still do my job.
My job is to stand there and look the dead soldiers friends, family and fellow soldiers in the face and say "I'm sorry." I have to go play for a dead soldier nearly everyday, and still manage to laugh, smile and function.
My job is to play perfectly, every time, discard emotions, and remember that this is the first, last and only time this soldier will recieve this honor and I must do my best to achieve perfection regardless of my emotional state.
I have always been a supporter of this war, but when I've been taken away from my friend's and family, put in constant danger everyday, and face the realities of war-time casualties every single day, I am finding my beliefs are changing. The rational, common sense side of me still believes this is the right thing to do, but the emotional, living side is screaming
WHY?
This job is killing me.
I want to go home.
-J
Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,
May the soldier or sailor,
God keep.
On the land or the deep,
Safe in sleep.
User Reviews
Submitted by Jaineix (user info) at 2003-11-23 22:13:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
You have my sympathy, and my prayers. I wouldn't be able to do that for any amount of time, and for Yogimus, I don't think that's a very good way to get perspective if you're a compassionate human being.
Submitted by antiLemming (user info) at 2003-11-23 20:55:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
"Heroe's are no braver than ordinary men. They are just braver five minutes longer."
Submitted by Yogimus (user info) at 2003-11-23 19:33:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
While your job does suck, you are better off than the man you play for. I know it doesn't cheer you up, but it does give a perspective. The guys that are in the streets appreciate what you do, and the families sure as hell appreciate what you do.
"Only the dead have seen the end of war"
Submitted by bargled (user info) at 2003-11-23 19:17:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Thats gotta suck.
Submitted by jimbobjoe (user info) at 2003-11-23 19:15:05 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Hairsphincter (user info) at 2003-11-23 19:09:41 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Chin up solider, they need your support.
Bort, shut the fuck up.
Submitted by bort (user info) at 2003-11-23 18:52:32 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
YeeHaw!
Submitted by Death_Metal_Dude (user info) at 2003-11-23 17:55:09 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Never has there been a good war or a bad peace.
-Ben Franklin
Submitted by AlwaysAnEagle (user info) at 2003-11-23 14:20:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Thank you.
Submitted by Cassiopeia (user info) at 2003-11-23 13:09:44 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm sorry, I've thought about joining Honor Guard to do the 21 gun salute and folding the flag and all that stuff, but i dont think i would be able to handle going to that many funerals....
kudos to you for supporting the troops, not many people do anymore...
Submitted by Beer_bong (user info) at 2003-11-23 12:46:23 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm glad they never need steel drums at funerals.
Submitted by Gillespie (user info) at 2003-11-23 12:35:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm a musician by trade. I joined the Army to get paid to play for people, travel... all that jazz. Anyway, everything was fine, traveling around Europe... I've played for everyone from the President on down, Been to Czech, Belgium, France, England, Germany, Bosnia, Kosovo, Korea (south), Japan, Norway, Switzerland, and Austria... off the top of my head. Then this war thing hit. I thought "No problem, why would they possibly need musicians in Iraq?"
Then I remembered that people WILL die and they WILL need people like me to go make sure they're funeral is done well. So here I am. I really wish everyone could feel what it is like to look a crying widow in the eye and say I'm sorry and not break down. No matter if your feeling badly or not, it doesn't change the fact that they're dead and your job is to play perfectly. Tough shit man.
-J
Submitted by Beer_bong (user info) at 2003-11-23 12:25:07 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
My guess is he's the only guy in the unit who can play the trumpet.
Submitted by GrizzlyHunter62 (user info) at 2003-11-23 12:15:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Seriously? How'd you get that job?
Submitted by j0andre1 (user info) at 2003-11-23 12:08:40 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment