I never served in the military. Closest I ever came was appearing in A Few Good Men on Broadway in 1990. I played a couple of different grunts in the show and understudied the Lt. Col. Nathan Jessep character. I’m pretty sure they only hired me because I was a kickass shortstop in the Broadway Show Softball League.
Anyway, I did get a chance to play Lt. Col. Jessep a few times, and I gotta say it was one of my greatest acting jobs ever, because the character was pretty much the ultimate hard-ass Marine and in real life I’m a total pussy.
I have no concept of what you guys are going through over there. No matter how many stories I hear or how many vets I talk to, it just makes me realize more completely that I don’t really get it and I definitely don’t have what it takes to be doing what you’re doing. I think most people I know don’t have what it takes.
I am glad you do have what it takes. I appreciate your sacrifice, your training, your courage, your dedication, your patience, your balls.
Hang in there. Take care of each other and come home safe.
