As we honor our veterans, I was reminded of the true cost of the freedom we enjoy.

I recently listened to an interview with two veterans of the Iraq war – one was a member of a explosives disposal unit (bomb unit) whose wife served with him and was killed in an incident he deployed her on. He talked about how husbands of fallen soldiers are often forgotten.  He was encouraged to talk to another soldier, who was also a bomb technician who had been injured in Iraq.

The solider was dispatched to pick up an IUD (improvised explosive device) and when she put in her truck,  it started rolling around.  When she tried to grab it, it exploded.  She said “I heard a woman screaming and screaming, and then I realized it was me.”  In spite of losing both arms, most of her hearing, and the severe scarring on her face, she said it’s led her to amazing opportunities and she’s been able to helped a lot of people.

It painted a picture of sacrifice that I won’t forget. What struck me – and what I keep playing over and over in my mind is when she said she heard someone screaming and screaming . . . and realized it was her.

I don’t think we truly comprehend what the men and women in our armed forces have done and the sacrifices their families have made, for every American to have all the freedoms we enjoy in every aspect of our lives on a daily basis.

Listen to the interview:

http://www.npr.org/2014/11/07/362010372/bomb-techs-work-through-dark-spots-to-brighter-lives’

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