Dreamweavers Forum No Mando word for Hero... (Sol..

This isn't an announcement... Nor really, is it anything else. It's news, I guess. And a bit of something to think about.
A lot of people our age think war... shooting... anything, really that's violent is a cool thing. But, no, it's not. How could it be? When you look at a news report, or when you open a news paper and you see the articles and stories about Afghanistan, Niger, Iraq, and other places. What goes through your head? That these men want to fight? That it's cool to be a soldier?
That's where you're wrong. These men aren't heroes. Nor are they ruthless killers. They're trained to be, yes. But they're trained to be more. Soldiers aren't killing machines. Soldiers are warriors. They protect. They don't want to kill.

There are a lot of reasons I'm talking about this. My older brothers, Morgan Lewis and Steven Vansmeerdyk, have both gone through Basic in the CF (Canadian Forces). Now they're posted in Wainright, in Alberta, pretty far from 'lil ol' home, eh? Well, even though I don't like to announce it to you guys: My brother recently had issues with wanting to come home. However he later decided to stay. It wasn't really the fact that he was homesick (though, that was part of the reason), he didn't like not being used. Not being trained.
Right now, he's probably sitting in his room with his bunkmates either stripping down his rifle and cleaning it, cleaning or polishing his boots. Or, even kicking back and playing a good ol' game of Halo: Combat Evolved. He's bored out of his skull.
What he didn't know when he signed up was this: Soliders are weapons. And when they're not being used, they're like any other weapon; sitting on a gun rack waiting to be picked up and fired. Soldiers suffer long periods of doing nothing. Whether they're guarding, or something of the sort, most of the time they're sitting on their asses wanting to be home.

My family, and even myself, in some ways, wanted Morgan to choose to come home. We're all worried about him, and don't want him to die in Afghanistan. Nor do we want Van to suffer the same.
And even if they do come home safely... Sometimes, their body is okay, but their mind is far from it. You understand now, Soldiers live a life of hell, a tough one. They go through trials and courses and challenges that we can't imagine.
So, it's not cool to be a Soldier. But it's damn honourable of you. If you're a Soldier, your not only a Warrior. You're a Knight, too.

In my eyes. That's damn important, and damn brave of you if you are.

So when you next see a piece of news, or something regarding war on terror, or any war in general, remember: These men are Knights and Warriors alike.
Do you support their cause?
Ask that to yourself. No matter how violent their lives are or how hard. Remember this: It takes a lot of courage, and a lot of valor to become a Warrior and Knight.

-Tristan Lewis AKA Apocalyptic-V: A Simple Writer.
Honoured Brother of Steven 'Van' Vansmeerdyk, and Morgan 'Turbo' Lewis. Warriors and Knights alike. And also to Keenan 'Kein' Lees, a Soldier in the making.

I have two uncles there.One wanted to go back...and another just got deplyed((misspelled.)).I don't want next year to come..for my dad will be going back two after 2 years of rest at home.Then all three will be there.I know the feeling of wanting them to come back home.*pats your shoulder.*

It;s funny... Even though we worry... We can't help but be extremely proud to have them in our family, hmm?

(luckely) I don't have any family who is in the army, so they won't go to afganisthan and such. However I do understand how you feel. Not knowing how somebody is doing is really terrible. Even if you get a letter or e-mail. Because of the time difference you dno't read an e-mail the moment it is sended and a letter takes time. And I also know the pain of losing somebody (I lost both grandpa's whom I liked really much. ::sad:: ).
I really hope everybody comes back savely for you guys.


(And I don't like shooting and stuff. I do like computer games with that though ^^')

I don't know anyone in the army, or have family in the army and the only way I'm joining is if World War III hits, because then I'll be drafted anyway.

I write about war because..I don't know.I don't think it's cool.I did when I was little but now...Well I write so that I and anyone who reads my writing will never forget.Or maybe I just know more about it than other subjects, Who knows?


I believe I was talking to myself here...

Amen V, i may not know anybody in the army nor like the idea of the army being sent in for causes of politicians, but i do understand that it's not cool nor something to think lightly of being in the army, because everyday the lads put their lifes on the line for everyone at home.

/Me hopes for the best of your brothers freind. *Huggz.*

Never, EVER had I had someone say 'Amen' in my name O.O;; Wow. lol.
Either way, thanks guys. And Nick (Wulf?) You said you're on MSN a lot! I haven't seen you!! By the way, you'll love Bloodlines. A lot of military and psychic stuff. (Oddly, Psi-Ops helped inspire me!)
Best way to describe my book, guys even though it's off subject (this is mostly towards Wulf to arouse his interest): Think Harry Potter with more realistic teenagers, GUNS, Psychic Abilities instead of magic, and a *LOT* to do with the Military. ^_^

But, about the military thing. I know, Nach, it's GREAT to have shooting games! But when I say it's not cool, I mean people who transfer that love, and think 'Hey! It'd be AWESOME to shoot a guy!!' And then what do you have? A school shooting!
It's scary though, the recent school shootings that I know (Dawson, Virginia Tech, and some school in Toronto (Ironic at all that two of three are in Canada?- And one especially in my Hometown? (scared the s**t out of me on that day)) most of these are to top the kills made in the Columbine shooting, there's actually a board somewhere where people discuss these things. Isn't it sick at all that it's just a big shooting contest? I mean... Wtf? When did humans become so horrible? Mind you, we're all horrible in some way, at our core. After all, a few things about humans: We're greedy, selfish, lustful, and aggressive s.o.b's. And this is only at our animalistic side. Some of us can pass this though (for example. All of us, seem to pass this.)

Nice Idea V, I like it.

Actually I am on MSN all the time.Maybe I added you wrong?Add me.I was on earlier today.Strange.Need to check on that.

I'm on right now actually.
Uh, what was your e-mail again? 'Cause I have you on my list, just says you're offline.
Nevermind. I added you again (this is edited in), you'res still not online though!!

My MSN name right now is: Apocalyptic-V [Tristan Lewis]