Warriors

The call went out for people to participate in the latest "Parade of Heroes" in one of the halls of the Pentagon, as several "Wounded Warriors" from Walter Reed or Bethesda Naval Hospital were brought in to meet with one of the "Top 4" (SecDef, Deputy SecDef, Chairman of Joint Chiefs, his deputy) and be given a hero's welcome. A guy in my office went to the last one and said there were barely enough people to fill the hallway, but yesterday morning there were people two-deep down the entire corridor -- we had to find a spot in the back of the line that had wrapped down into the "A" ring. Slowly pushed on wheelchairs, we were all able to shake the troops' hands as applause rang through the entire building. Guys missing legs, fingers, severe burns, blown out eyes. And modestly thanking us as we shook their hands. Imagine.
Sometimes I'm still amazed at what I do for a living, and how lucky I am that others have been sent to fight in my stead.