A Soldier’s Rucksack
To most people, this bag looks like a worn-out soldier’s rucksack. But to me, it represents what my husband and our family experienced as a military family.
This post contains affiliate links, which help to support this blog if you purchase something through these links at no additional cost to you.
My husband spent 15 years in the service.
He served nine years on active duty in the Army, reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant, before the military wanted him to leave the hospital floors as a nurse to join the administrative staff. He switched services to the National Guard to get a slot in Physician Assistant School that was more achievable in the National Guard.
That was in August 2000, and we made a cross-country move from Texas to Tennessee to make it happen. Of course, his rucksack moved with us.
Then 9/11 happened, and the next day he got the call to request him to attend Officer Candidate School instead because his unit was already expected to go to war.
It would take 6 years to get to PA school finally, but as a civilian after a career-ending injury in Iraq. This rucksack was his book bag during school.
Three of those years he spent away from his family training for and fighting a war in Iraq.
So what do I think of when I see this beat-up and battered rucksack?
I remember 7 years in the 82nd Airborne at Ft. Bragg, where he carried it as he jumped out of airplanes, training for combat missions or as a medical provider.
It made six trips to Egypt.
One trip to Honduras.
Several trips to Germany.
This rucksack was with him when he made a historic airborne jump with less than 100 other men into Russia.
It was his constant companion as he led his troops behind enemy lines as a cavalry scout in Iraq.
While I was home working and raising the kids alone, this rucksack traveled the world with my husband.
It represents times I was alone, often clueless about whether he was just in training again or in actual combat. Most times, I probably didn’t want to know.
I have seen him pack this rucksack in minutes to leave after getting a call in the middle of the night.
I washed the dirty clothes out of it when he got back, just so he would have to pack it again for the next time.
This rucksack has carried his clothes, supplies, and medical bag during a mission.
And it always carried small tokens from home that changed as the kids grew.
It is never just a worn-out rucksack!
To a soldier and their family, it represents time away from the family.
It represents their love for their country and a commitment to their fellow soldiers.
It carries the supplies and equipment, not just for the mission but to keep them alive under any circumstance, and oftentimes it carries the letters from home that keep them going on the long days and nights away from their loved ones.
It is not just a rucksack.
It is a symbol of a life that so many people can’t even begin to understand unless they chose to live it.
It is a symbol of sacrifice, commitment and bravery. And mostly a love for others.
Make sure you thank a soldier or veteran this Veteran’s Day.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
More stories to enjoy:
Practicing Gratitude In An Unfinished House
A Different Point of View for Father’s Day
35 Great Gift Ideas for your Gift Closet
Beautiful post. Thank you to him for serving. And to you, as you journeyed with him and away from him through it all. I thank you for your support system to him.❤️
Thank you Leslie for your kind words.