Papas at war

Recently, when opening my Google home page I glanced down and read this simple yet thought provoking quote.

"I'm glad I didn't have to fight in any war. I'm glad I didn't have to pick up a gun. I'm glad I didn't get killed or kill somebody. I hope my kids enjoy the same lack of manhood."
- Tom Hanks

While I don't think fighting in war in any way defines your "manhood" as Mr. Hanks put it, I am just as thankful and have the same hopes for my child. The reason this quote caught my eye is because it brought my attention to a group of papas I have overlooked thus far: military papas.

In this time of war the emotional burden of being away from your children under such precarious circumstances must be enormous. Then when you are fortunate enough to return home after one or more tours of duty, reasserting yourself back into the family has to present some challenges.

To all veterans of this Iraq war, Desert Storm, Vietnam and other wars past, I am pausing here to show my respect for the great sacrifice you make that allows me to write freely with no immediate threat of violence looming over me.

I invite you to share the joys and challenges of fatherhood while serving your country in the midst of war.