Afghanistan to Iraq with his Social Security Number Compromised in Between--Have a Meaningful Memorial Day

Every week my husband tunes into ABC TV's "This Week With George Stephanapolis." Every week he stops eating his breakfast, reading the Sunday paper, or doing whatever he's doing for the silent-except for somber music bed- or sound from video clips, "In Memoriam" feature. The feature wraps up with a black screen in which all the names of military men and women, that were released by the DOD this past week, moving forward and then back to their linear formation on the screen. The listings include name, rank, hometown, and age. For the most part, children are being killed. Babies born when I was a teenager, in college, and during my post college years. I comment every week about that. "Chuck, these are kids!" It's like I'm facing this information new every week.

Yesterday Chuck and I went to a mall, and into one of his favorite stores that sell dvds, cds, and peripherals. The young guy behind the cash register blessed us on the way out. I guess he was trying to tell us something after he handed my husband the complimentary publicity of of the "Dixie Chicks" that you get when you buy their new cd. He also blessed us because, I think, my husband (that guy I call Chuck for those new to me, my life, this blog) uses a wheelchair. There's an assumption that a guy Chuck's age in a wheel chair is a Vietnam Era war veteran.

The young, baby-faced, jovial, clean shaven man was asked by Chuck, "Are you a Veteran?" He replied that he served in the regular army for over a year in Afghanistan, and soon his reserve unit is to go to Iraq. He then said, "and, you know that story about the Social Security numbers being compromised...well mine was one of them."

So,"Mr. 20 something entertainment store clerk," a veteran, in between gigs in which his life and limb are put in jeopardy now has to worry about identify theft because some busy government worker ---(I know-I know, lay off the government workers. Well, I know quite a few of them-I work with them, they aren't all incompetent)--- felt the need to take data home with him. The nice, boy-next-door, who blessed us on Memorial Day weekend, is going to ground zero for terrorism knowing that he has to worry about being screwed by some idiot who buys his number.

I am furious.

He's getting screwed in so many ways.

Yet, he's serving his country and volunteering blessings withthat beautific smile on his face.
I want to promise him that the "evil doers" in our own borders, and across the Internet, and inside the beltway will be caught. That law enforcement will serve valiantly as he has, and will do, to bring the stupid idiots who compromise his future, and his identify-- and yes----let's not forget privacy---to justice. But, I fear that I can't. Justice might not be swift enough for that handsome guy. A guy whose sense of loyalty and duty kept him from finding a way to avoid going back to combat.

Have a meaningful Memorial Day

Now some photos of a Veteran near and dear to my heart: