Let freedom ring true 

On NPR's Talk of the Nation today, I heard a book author and a couple of drill sergeants talking about the new less-verbally-abusive style of training soldiers.

It made me wonder about another aspect of basic training -- the political part -- and if it's changed since the Cold War. I don't know, just surmise they must teach soliders to internalize a belief that they are fighting to protect our freedom. It makes sense to want to represent a noble cause if you might be laying down your life.

I've heard mothers of soldiers repeat this belief in TV interviews. Of course they would need something like that to hang onto, too. I heard it from a solider I corresponded with 40 years ago when my whole junior high church youth group wrote to Vietnam servicemen. He said something like "We fight so that little girls like you can continue to live free in America."

It didn't ring true to me when I was 12. I remember staring at his letter, feeling plenty guilty, and thinking, "I don't want you to do this for me." Can troops in Iraq believe that getting in the middle of a factional fight is saving my life or protecting my freedom? I wonder.

How can we tell them that we appreciate their willingness -- that we don't want to diminish the nobility of the gesture, but that the mission has gone astray and they shouldn't be persuaded to pretend it's all that noble?

Still not ready 

I've been thinking about my coming empty nest for years, but tonight is going to be really symbolic. My baby is graduating from high school. I asked him to slap me if I cry. I'm going to get slapped.