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Blog Entry 73 of 82 Baseball,football,the Grateful Dead,Jesus and me

Could be politics, religion, music, sports, family life or anything in-between and outside the lines. (I refuse to say "outside the box," even if my chosen line means exactly the same thing) Chronologically, I'm 40. The consensus among those who know me best puts me somewhere between 10 and 13 in terms of maturity. I love listening to Jimmy Buffett, the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers and all acts Country (except the Dixie Chicks who offended my long-held,closed-minded view of decent behavior) I have deep, strong beliefs in all things I believe in and sometimes in things I don't. I pride myself in my contradictory nature even though it is a sign of weakness to change one's mind. I have been known to waver more than John Kerry talking about national defense, though I remain steadfast in my beliefs. I am prepared to argue to the death on one issue and one issue alone; Dickey Betts should be allowed back in the Allman Brothers. On this, there is no compromise. I believe in compromise in all other areas so long as the compromise includes everything that I want or believe in. In all seriousness, I am a lucky man, blessed with a wonderful family and an uncanny ability to not care about anything if the situation requires such. I believe that minds are like parachutes in that they have been known to fail their user, albeit with a slightly lower fatality rate. So that's me, or at least that's kind of me. I mean, I felt that way right before I didn't.

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Delaney beats Iraq

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Contributed by: Bill Prather on 6/4/2008

For the time being, the Iraq-War Thingy goes on without me. Surely my absence will not effect the outcome. Indeed, I dare say that my unit is better off without me.

Somewhere between Arvada, Fort Dix and Baghdad, my priorities came knocking. Perhaps knocking is not quite accurate. Kicking-in-the-door, cussing and spitting-in-my-face is more like it.

So, I find myself sitting on the porch at 11p.m., enjoying a nice cigar and Gentleman Jack, on the rocks -- knowing that I've made the right choice . . . really, the only choice.

It doesn't do much for my "Warrior-Ethos"-driven sense of being a soldier, but really, being a father and husband comes first. It's because of my wife and children that I enlisted in the Army National Guard (after a 15-year break in military service). My duty to my family demands that I stand ready to defend them. Well, ready to assist in their defense, anyway. I am, after all, a military journalist. My job is to tell the Army story. My peers and I take that job very seriously. In case you haven't noticed, our friends in the civilian press haven't been doing a very good job of that lately. We do what we can. I help the cause the best way I know.

Today, it's because of my most important duty that I regretfully stand on the sidelines while men and women better than me continue the mission. Certainly, there's no regret for being here when my family needs me. It's the soldier who worries that maybe I'm shirking another responsibility. The sad fact is, I can't be in two places at once. Many can do my job in the Army. I'm the only dad my kids have. Right now, Delaney needs Dad. And Jenny, more than ever, needs her husband.

Friends and others who read my blog are aware of Delaney -- my inspiration and most loyal "fan." Without her and her mother, I would be nowhere today. Delaney has cerebral palsy, though you would never know it if you met her. Because of her condition, she required surgery that simply couldn't wait. Seems her feet were in really bad shape and without corrective surgery now, any hope of walking, however slim, would be gone. Gone also, possibly her feet and quality of life.

Delaney "went under the knife" (for the fifth time in her short life) May 16. One week before her ninth birthday. My chain of command and much-maligned "Big Army" saw to it that I was here when my family needed me. Think what you want about the "military," but know that it's made up of men and women just like you. Except that those men and women put their lives on hold at a moment's notice to defend you. Many times I've lamented the stupidity and inefficency of the "Army." But you can't trace that back to any one person. "IT" just "IS."

As Delaney undertakes her long recovery, it's clear that my family needs me here more than the Army needs me there. I'll head back to Fort Dix next week to push the paperwork and await the final word on whether I follow on to Baghdad, or return home.

Meanwhile, some fine men and women have joined other outstanding people on the front line of freedom. They're some of the best people I've had the pleasure of knowing. Case in point: Several soldiers in my unit are expecting children during this deployment. Many left wives, husbands and children -- all left something behind -- while they fulfill a duty to something larger than themselves.

Days, if not hours, before they boarded a plane that would take them to war, the men and women of Colorado's 104th PAD and Utah's 128th MPAD took the time to send their best wishes to my daughter.

Think about that for a minute . . . Men and women with their own families facing the uncertainty of a year without their father, mother, husband, wife, son or daughter; jobs and businesses put on hold, bank accounts drained, lives turned upside-down . . . those people took the time to send their wishes to Delaney. They were worried about my daughter when they were headed into harm's way while their own families fret at home.

How do you repay that?

< Previous: 'Trying to get to Baghdad' | Next: 'America's Dads' >

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Showing 1-8 of 8 comments

Submitted By: Bob Henline

posted on 6/15/2008 @ 8:49:37 AM

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Hey Bill, thanks for the reply. I started a website with my own blog to post pictures of the kids and keep Shana up to date on what we're doing. Feel free to give it a look, we're at www.ayearaway.com.

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Submitted By: Bill Prather

posted on 6/14/2008 @ 10:35:36 PM

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Oops. I goofed and hit the stars. Again! Darnit! Bob, you are right to be proud of your wife. She's one of a great group of people that 4th ID is lucky to have. I have a feeling that soon, the "brass" won't know what hit them. The 128th/104th will soon set a new standard. Kudos to all. You sir, are part of the effort, too. The families sacrifice as much, if not more than the Soldiers. Thanks for taking the time to comment. (Tell Shana that I'll be sending the "book" with Scott. It's a great read!)

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Submitted By: Bob Henline

posted on 6/14/2008 @ 1:26:51 PM

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Bill, I just read your story and it really moved me. One of those women, wives, mothers you mentioned on their way to Iraq with the 128th MPAD is my wife, the mother of our 3 young boys. While we certainly would rather have her safely home with us, we understand what she is doing, and why she is doing it. We are very proud of her and the service she is giving to not only the United States, but every citizen here that enjoys their freedom. I would like to extend my very best wishes to you, your wife, and your daughter. You have undertaken the single most important mission any man ever faces, whether military or civilian, being a husband and father. For what my two cents are worth, I don't see any way that what you're doing could be seen as shirking a duty. Again, my hat is off to you, sir. I wish you and your family the very best.

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Submitted By: Patrick Bunn

posted on 6/6/2008 @ 7:46:45 PM

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Bill, my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Wherever the path leads you , I wish you only the best. Great to hear from you again. Patrick

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Submitted By: Katherine Jerome

posted on 6/6/2008 @ 10:51:23 AM

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Bill, be proud of who you are. "One who answers the call of duty, no matter who it is on the other end of the line"

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Submitted By: Michael Rule

posted on 6/5/2008 @ 10:29:25 PM

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Dude you are the man. I am so happy to hear from you again, and hey, you and Delaney are an inspiration. PS, you don't repay it, you pass it on. But you already knew that. You rock. Be safe. I'm looking forward to that beer you owe me.....which I will repay with two....lol mc

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Submitted By: Gail Kirkegaard

posted on 6/5/2008 @ 9:05:44 AM

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So wonderful that you could be with her!

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Submitted By: Tom Treloar

posted on 6/4/2008 @ 7:26:51 PM

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I wish the best to Delaney, you and the rest of your family.

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Showing 1-8 of 8 comments

CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Bill Prather

Arvada , CO

Bill Prather has posted 82 blog entries and 320 comments since joining on 7/15/2006. Bill Prather 's average blog rating is 4.49.

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