Quiet Nights
July nights and firefights.
The comforting thing about the 4th of July is hearing the “conflict” off in the distance…
It reminds you of those nights at the patrol base, where watch was covered by the ANA and your guys.
You were off rotation.
Nothing crazy coming up tomorrow.
You were in your cot next to Jake and Pat. Bullshitting with the boys, reading a book with your headlamp, or you had one headphone in your ear from your IPod.
You heard a base off in the distance having a good scrap. The report of a Taliban RPG. The answer of the ANA 50 cal and 240s.
The violent conversation in the distance.
It both lulled you to sleep and subtly reminded you that you weren’t in Kansas anymore.
That’s what the 4th of July makes me feel on these late and quiet-ish nights.