#1

Thursday, November 29, 2007

This is the first entry since finding out that I have a December 5th deployment date. A lot has happened since finding out last week. I went to California to see family for the holiday but ended up being the last chance to tell everyone I wanted to there that I was leaving. Most were shocked, most were incredulous, and few were supportive.

I’m in Salem now seeing Courtney for a few days. I have found myself having a conversation with Rita about my motives, and in turn enlightening myself at the same time. Motives…that’s a big feat to try and explain.

Most people think I’m crazy, plain and simple. Some think I’m doing it for the money. And some think I want to kill Muslims. All are wrong. Only my step-mom and aunt, (both on my dad’s side), expressed pride in me. I think it’s because they both know how my dad would feel if he were alive today to see me doing this. But maybe it’s because they are both very patriotic and have a strong sense of national pride.

-Jim Franks