The day has finally come.
The one you’ve been dreading for years,
months,
days.
It’s the day you have to leave all of your loved ones behind.
You’ve made many trips like this before.
But for you still get that gut-wrenching feeling.
Like a rat, stuck under a hot metal tin trying to claw its way out.

This is no vacation.
This is no dream.
This is war.

You hear the loud sounds from bombs going off, like the 4th of July.
This is your home now.
These Strangers, acting as your brothers.
All of them, fighting for the same cause.
Risking their lives for your country.
For freedom.
For independence.