Viewpoints

The above picture is of Barry Babcock’s injured grandson as he is carried from the battlefield.  The letter to the left was written by Barry’s grandson from Iraq. What’s on your mind? Our church members come from a variety of backgrounds and beliefs and we don’t all see things from the same perspective.  It’s the diversity within our  church and the recognition and acceptance of these differences that can sometimes help us grow even more than finding our common grounds.  We invite anyone who would like to share with others  their views, thoughts, opinions, personal experiences, rants, or raves to send their commentary, words of wisdom, or other expression to editor@suquamishucc Your submissions will be published in the new Viewpoints section.  We hope to hear what’s on your mind.

  April 19th, 2003
 

  Hey Grandpa,

      Sorry it took so long for me to write.  Thanks for the card.  It really made my week.  As you probably noticed I am writing on official Iraqi Republican Guard stationery.  At the moment I am on the roof of their Divisional HQ in Baghdad, just a literal stones throw away from the Tigris.  I never imagined I'd be here of all places.  As promised I kept my head down and I am doing ok.  Don't worry, I still have my guard up.  I won't relax too much until I am on the freedom bird home.  This war stuff is for the birds.

I didn't think it possible but after all this I have a greater respect for you Grandpa.  I didn't go through a quarter of what you did in the War and what I did go through was bad enough.  I look at the world in a different light now that I have put my life on the line once or twice.  It's like a quote I heard once: "freedom has a different flavor to those who have fought for it that the protected will never know."  I want you to know that so long as I live I will not let anyone forget what our family has done to keep safe those we love.  I love you very much Grandpa.  I hope to see you soon.

                         Love,
                                  Barry