With all the fights I had with my sisters, I have never had a fight with my brother. He is the sweetest guy I know, and I am not just saying that because he is family :-). Even now, at age 17, when I visit my parents, he comes to sit with me and he cuddles me when he think no one is watching. He always said he wanted to join the army, but I thought that was what all young boys want, and that it would pass. But he decided to really go through with it. He has grown so much this past year, the orientation year for the land forces (what a weird translation, is that right?), both mentally and physically. My brother has a sixpack!
We were sneaking around all week, inviting all his friends, fixing the barbeque, asking the neighbours for extra chairs.. My mom even called the supermarket my brother works at, to ask if he could work so he would be away the afternoon. Last friday, my sister and I spent a whole day in the kitchen, making salades and snacks and garlic butter..
But it was well worth it when I saw my brother's face. And I've never heard something more cute that half-grown boys singing to my brother.
The war in Agfhanistan is still heavily debated here. The newspapers have found evidence that even though the Tweede Kamer, the House of Representatives, was against 'our guys' going to Uruzgan, the Kabinet, the government which has the final saying (in short) said yes, and decided the Dutch army will stay there untill at least 2010. The decision-making process is still not made public, the Kabinet refuses to make it public, which results in criticism towards both the government and - that is what I thought strange - the army itself.
I can understand people are against the war in Afghanistan. Í am against the war in Afghanistan, because I am against war as a whole. But I am not against the army being there now. Criticising the government and the way the decisions were made: yes. Criticising the soldiers: no. These are guys risking their lives, doing their best to make Uruzgan a safer place. They do not need us here, comfortable, out of harms way, telling them they are wrong and they should leave. It hurts me extra because I know that in a year, it could be my little bro.
I still have faint hope he will come back from his decision and stay here, digging ditches and be safe, but I see the glint in his eyes every time he talks about the army. We won't be able to stop him. So I can only hope and pray he will be safe.
