Today I watched in awe as rockets blared overhead and listened to the ominous sound of aircraft taking off. A million thoughts raced through my mind as I wondered how I got to this place at this time. I remember the day I arrived, it seemed so surreal, so unimaginable, so long ago. So today I sit with the open sky as lights flash and aircraft roars and think about my family, my friends, my life. I remember the look on my son's face when I told him I had to leave and the tear slowly trickling down his cheek as he hugged me and whispered I love you, Mom. I remember my daughter holding me tight not letting go as she cried in my arms telling me I would always be her best friend. I remember the look on my husband's face that I had not seen in such a long time as he told me to be careful. I think about all of the people that will not be able to see their families in the morning, or hug their children and tell them how much they love them. We were all brought here for the same reason yet we all have so many stories to tell. Some of us are mothers and fathers and some are still too young to remember what happened the last time we were here. We have become a "family" united together in freedom. We talk about our family, our friends and our faith. We smile and laugh when we remember the good times and cry when we recall the bad. We talk mostly of our children and how they will react when they hear the news. What questions will they ask that only we can answer half way around the world? So many regrets and what ifs, wondering where I would be right now at this moment if circumstances where different. Would I feel the same way? Would I think about what was happening with a saddened heart or a heart full of rage and horror? Could I forgive the person responsible for leaving my family alone without a mother? Will the world be a different place when this is over? Will I be the same person when I return? So tonight as the missles continue their assault and the jets continue their journey I pray for peace, for fulfillment, for guidance. I pray that my children will someday understand the sacrifices that we are making and somehow forgive me for leaving them. I pray that my family knows how much I love them and how much they mean to me. I pray for my fellow soldiers that they too will find peace within themselves knowing we are doing the right thing. I pray for the people of my country and other countries hoping they will understand what it means to be an American and live in a land of opportunity-as one nation and unite as we allow others to feel the same. And so with the nighttime fueled with the passion of war I wonder what tomorrow will be like and how many people won't wake up to the feeling of being free. Michelle Elliott, SGT 21 MARCH 2003 AN EDITORIAL RECENTLY PENNED BY SGT. MICHELLE ELLIOTT: On Christmas Day my daughter wrapped her arms around me and held me with all of her might sobbing as I had to say good bye. I left my family, my friends, my life to give others a right no person should be denied-the right to be free. I have joined forces with many men and women, mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. Some of us left our jobs while others came for their job. Regardless of the circumstance we have one common goal-to make our world a safer place for our family, for our friends, for humanity. We listened as the jets roared and the missiles launched their fury. We all knew what was happening and we all knew what the outcome would be if we did not act swiftly and precisely. How many people would not be here tomorrow? How many will not know the sacrifice we have made so that their families and friends can have the right to wake in the morning and not be scared? How many will stand in the streets and protest against something they know little about because they have the right to do so? Will those people know we are fighting over here so they can have the right to choose whether or not they agree or disagree? I did not choose to leave my family and my friends, but I did so with a hard heart and a solemn vow - to defend the rights of others. Am I angry? Yes. Am I scared? Petrified. Am I sorry I am here? Never. I know I am here so I can allow others to think on their own, to feel on their own, to hold their head up and not feel sorry because they disagree. I want my son to be able to make his own decisions, to be the strong man I know he will be. I want my daughter to see how beautiful she is and not feel ashamed to allow others to see it too. And so as you stand there holding your sign and shouting your feelings, remember me, half a world away as I stand holding my weapon. I am a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a soldier and I am sacrificing my life so you can have the freedom that so many do not - the freedom to choose, the freedom to think, and yes, even the freedom to protest. SGT Michelle Elliott, 26MARCH2003