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2007

posted Thursday, 11 January 2007

I spent last year in the desert, but this year I begin in the snowy mountain framed valley of Salt Lake. I spent the first six months of last year amidst the chaos and ironic monotony of war. I can still hear the prayers coming over loudspeakers, the distinct sound of artillery fire, whether it is incoming our outgoing, the darkness of the desert sky at night. I spent the last six months pondering the first, and reacquainting myself with the life I want to be living. And now I can sit here in the comfort of my own home, my two kids and my future asleep upstairs under glow-in-the-dark solar systems, flanked by super heroes and princesses on glossy posters. And I can smile at the prospect of tomorrow. 

I find that war certainly made me appreciate life all the more. War made me more alert, more grateful, more driven, and more humble. In a way I am now part of those paintings of soldiers hanging in the hallways of libraries on military bases, in the VA hospitals, in military museums and government buildings. I am indeed one of those men who are captured for a moment, out of their role as son, lover, father, or friend - caught up, for better or worse, and with his own fluctuating levels of dedication and fear, as a soldier in the drama of war.  

We meet in web 2.0, here in cyberspace. We have been communicating, over the course of the last two years, from all across this planet - across vast bodies of water which if you imagine yourself on a small raft in the middle of one in the middle of the night you may find yourself over come with vertigo at the vastness of the sky, the isolation, the silence. Messages in bottles, these, and the bottles are blue electric.  

I do hope you continue to visit this blog for new material and updates, so that we can continue this relationship we have, the two of us, writer and reader. I have reached a personal milestone. Being represented by an agent changes my writing priorities, and I will be diligent. I find myself standing right on the cusp of my life, like a new NFL player who visits the stadium hours before the game, when it's quiet, and his only company is the shadow of his own self-consciousness. 

You might notice a little less activity here on Wordsmith At War, but then again you might just see more of me on the bookshelf of your local Barnes and Noble. I cast my best wishes for 2007 out into the ether of this technological time of ours, this bright electric and shrinking world - hoping they find you. 

Thank you, as always, for reading. 

Captain K

"To improve the golden moment of opportunity, and catch the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life."        Samuel Johnson

 

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1. "All About Military Writers" left...
Thursday, 11 January 2007 10:50 pm :: http://www.militarywriters.blog-city.com

Whoo hoo! I'm so glad to hear you found an agent!! 2007 is looking pretty good for ya Cappy!


2. ET USN 71-78 left...
Thursday, 11 January 2007 11:02 pm

Glad to hear you are doing well. Amazing how spending time in Iraq or other similar crucibles can give us a better sense of priorities and appreciation for formerly "minor" things. I'll enjoy your future endeavors, too; keep them coming.


3. Tracie H left...
Friday, 12 January 2007 6:58 am

Thank you for the update. Good luck with the book; I look forward to reading it. Enjoy your everyday life with your children.


4. Moira left...
Friday, 12 January 2007 7:26 am

Lee! An agent!? How fantastic! I'm so glad to have gotten to "know" you via cyberspace--I'm happy I reached out and dropped you a line last spring. Your writing is inspirational. Hope to meet you in realspace sometime....

...that is, if you're not too famous and unapproachable by then. ;o)


5. Tom Nevills left...
Friday, 12 January 2007 6:12 pm

01/12/07

Thank you for your thoughtful insight into the greater meaning of life. Thank you for your service to all of us by serving in the military. God Bless.


6. Spencer left...
Saturday, 13 January 2007 12:31 am :: http://www.pukeorama.com

Saw you on the news, good stuff here, keep it up!

http://www.pukeorama.com


7. Linda R left...
Saturday, 13 January 2007 6:18 am

Captain K, your blog has brought both the uncertainty and dread of war along with the longing for your children, the tragedy of comrades lost, the joy of reunion. It has been a privilege to be given an insight into war and its cost by such an eloquent writer. You are blessed to recognize the gift of your children and they are equally blessed to have you home. I look forward to reading more.


8. Marc left...
Saturday, 13 January 2007 7:34 am

Awesome post Dude . . . You are an inspiraton to everyone out there who has or will overcome so much in a short period of time. We look to you for inspiration so let us all know how you are doing every once in a while and provide a schedule of where your book signing events will be. We'll be there.


9. Mark and Norma. left...
Saturday, 20 January 2007 8:58 pm

Lee,keep up the good work,you are going to go places in this world .We will keep on reading your blog,and hope to see you again.When you come to Boise to sign your book we'll be there,and will have a place for you to stay.Thank you for being such a wonderful Father to Cloe and little Lee.Love Mark and Norma.


10. Soldiers Angel CJ left...
Monday, 29 January 2007 2:22 pm

Happy New Year, Capt K. God's best of everything is wished for you. Can't wait to get your book.


11. Rachelle Marie Dangin left...
Saturday, 17 February 2007 7:06 am :: http://ellehcar_eiram.livejournal.com

Hi Capt. Lee, I am Rachelle Marie Dangin, a 2nd year Mass Communication student from the University of the Philippines. I came to know about your blog through the Power to the People article featured in Time Magazine.

I found your story very inspiring and very relevant. Your lifestyle strikes me very much, knowing that as a soldier, you barely have the time to write down entries. But then, yes, you took the time to share to the people your insights and views about what is happening during the war.

I understand that life in the military is indeed hard yet honorable. Preparing and training for the war is indeed difficult. You get drained physically and emotionally. However, one thing I admire most about soldiers like you is your bravery and patriotism. Yes, you do get to be painted on walls and written on books. But more than that acknowledgment is the deeper recognition of your nobility.

Moreover, I appreciate the way you write about the war. Being a participant in the war yourself makes you credible enough to write about it. As you've said, "no one knows what's going on better than the soldiers on the front lines". I know that while you're at the barracks, you have learned so many things. And I, personally, feel so blessed for having read such. Your insights and learnings are really inspirational and encouraging.

Sir, I've been longing to ask you, you, being a soldier and a writer, don't you feel afraid that your entries or posts might be used by the enemies against you and your troops?

Anyway, I would like to congratulate you in advance about your book coming up. Keep writing! Continue inspiring others with your presence... :-)


12. ltcmacswife left...
Monday, 5 March 2007 1:03 pm

Cpt. K - I try to come back to the site periodically to keep up on how you are doing. Best of luck with the book. I know Mike wanted to write when he came home and I go back to his "Ramadi Dispatch" often to read his words. Hope you and your family have a beautiful and prosperous New Year.

Mac's Wife


13. Rosie left...
Tuesday, 8 May 2007 10:45 am :: http://www.internetmuetze.de

These comments have been invaluable to me as is this whole site. I thank you for your comment.