Well, some people have had issues with magnetic signs and stripes affecting the finish when left on for a long time, so these might have the same effect.

 

I've lost comrades in combat before, and each loss tears a piece out of your heart. As I go through life with a wonderful woman at my side, the depth of their sacrifice becomes even more apparent; most of them died before they ever fell in love, or realized just how good life could be.

While every serviceman or woman is an individual, and therefore has unique experiences while in uniform, all who deploy whether in harm’s way or not learn some fundamental truths:

· All will see poverty on a scale unimaginable back home

· All will experience endless hours of boredom punctuated by moments of heart-pounding stress…and in sharing those moments will form bonds that will stay with them forever

· All will look back on their deployment as a time of adventure tempered by the pain of separation from loved ones back home. The more in love they are, the greater the pain.

· All will come back to this wonderful nation of ours changed in ways they could not imagine just a few short months before

Every day, on some distant land, a soldier, sailor, airman or Marine taps the heels of his or her dusty combat boots together and silently mouths the words we all remember from childhood…

There’s no place like home.

And that's the point! No matter your feelings about this or any other war, no matter your feelings about this administration, there should be love and respect for those serving so far from home, those who want to come home and lead the sort of life they deserve, to get married, to raise families, to do those things we all take for granted.

Don't allow them to feel forgotten. Ever. And never underestimate the power of a simple letter from home, even from a stranger. There comes a point in every deployment when each reminder of home becomes precious, and pen pals can be the greatest gift of all.

Pete
CWO2, USMC, retired