The Selflessness of War

So far the past few weeks, the news has been flooded with concerns over the war in Iraq and elsewhere. Darfur is being ignored by important key countries who could provide support, and there are probably loads of inhumane and unjust acts flying under the radar because the free world is so preoccupied with elections and blackberries and facebook slander. I broke a nail today, that took up 5 minutes of my time, meanwhile child armies under the leadership of diamond selling dictators in Burma oppress the Karen State peoples.

So one of my best friends, Chris, is in the Air Force... just deployed to Kirkuck, Iraq, north of Baghdad. Chris is a 6'3" fully-trained, lethal, teddy bear. I don't know how he does it... manages to train to jump out of planes and fight in live fire and see people blown up and work as a cop in Vegas of all places, dealing with prostitutes and drug dealers and thugs all the time and remain one of the sweetest guys I know... happy to sit around with the girls watching pixar films and eating brownies.

Chris called me from Iraq the other night. I was tucked up nice and comfortable for a movie marathon with a friend, watching Semi-Pro in her room in our not-too-sketchy area of London, after feasting on pizza. Chris, who spent about 3 days traveling out to Iraq, was so positive, despite the heat and the training and the danger... he spent the 20 mins on his international phone card reassuring me that he was safe, and the people stationed there were really doing a lot of good, not to listen to the media because they blow everything out of proportion. He said he would call often and made me promise not to worry. He was excited to be part of doing good in that country and just missed his girls a little.

Chris probably won't be able to tell me most of what he does or sees or knows from his duty in Iraq. He probably can't tell me loads from the other countless deployments he's been on. Tucked up in my little house in Jersey or London, I can't imagine the danger or fear or the courage he has to feel. I know some guys in the military are all hard and just like to be dangerous, but Chris really believes that good is going to come out of their being there. He wants to help the people of Iraq and has a hope in their future.

I can't pretend that every single person feels the same way, or that the leaders who sent them there had that in mind. But I do know that his dedication, his committment, passion, and his compassion will make a difference. It's the kind of person who will spend his scarce free time and money to call his friends and comfort them... when he could be sleeping or hanging out. It takes that kind of selfless devotion and heart to win a war. When people aren't overcome with fear, when they have faith in the innate goodness of people, when they care about community and justice and respect life war will end and not sooner.

Let's hope we get it right soon.