troubledoll

My nephew is being deployed to Iraq.
His going-away party is in Houston on Saturday. His unit goes to training in the US for 6 weeks, and then they send him to hell.
Allen is such a good person, such a good hearted kid. He is only 20, and really kind of innocent for his age. Bless his heart, he was such an awkward little boy. A little chubby, a little slower in school than his brother, not a lot of self confidence. But he was, and is, so full of love. He is the kind of kid that made xmas presents for everyone until he got an allowance; then he saved his allowance so that he could buy everyone gifts. He gave me a pair of thermal socks before I went to Alaska, and I actually pulled the damn things out of the drawer and cried over them the other night.
He chose the military, and he worked hard to get where he wanted to be. I respect his choices, but goddam.
It's going to change him so much. I fear for his safety, but I fear for his heart so much more. I am terrified for his soul. The things I expect he will see and experience there, please God don't let them stop him from shining.