The Middle East and a Lost Hero

Ever since Steve Meyers moved to Abu Dhabi two years ago, I knew I had to go visit him. It took a while to get all the plans together, but sure enough it happened. Aside from a quick visit to the US Virgin Island of St. Thomas, I haven't been able to leave the shores of the continental US since my amazing trip to Spain well over a year ago.

I'm not sure what excited me more, just getting away, or experiencing a part of the world that I had never encountered before. Regardless, both things turned out to be amazing. Spending 10 days in the UAE, Oman, and Jordan can have a pretty healthy impact on a person from a "western" culture. Although I spent some time in Morocco before, a Muslim country, I was never given time to be fully immersed in their culture. The two most obvious differences between our cultures have to be 1) the five prayer calls that are blasted throughout the city every single day 2) The clothing. There are also two not so obvious cultural differences, but once you realize them, you see the lack of it everywhere. Both alcohol and pork are forbidden...and not even available to the general public.

I don't have time to go into the specifics of the trip right now, but the important thing is that it gave me a ton of time to think, read, and experience a new culture...which is exactly what I needed.

Now onto a far more important and tragic topic. On Monday, November 22nd, Devins brother, Staff Sgt. Sean Flannery was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan. When I received the call, my heart dropped and I was overwhelmed with sadness. Not because I knew Sean well, because I didn't, but because I knew the grief that one of my close friends and his mother were experiencing.

After a very long and emotional week, Seans funeral was yesterday. Right after the funeral was a fallen soldier ceremony. I've seen similar ceremonies in movies and I've struggled to keep my emotions in check. To see the same ceremony, but instead with a family that I know closely...well, I'll just say that it even brings a tear to my eye as I write this.

Although yesterday was an extremely sad day. The Flannerys, our community, and our country were able to honor a man that gave his life so that others can live, so that we can live. It's weird how something so tragic can also be something so honorable. Sean didn't die in vein, he died in glory.

So to Sean and everyone else that has ever served our country, thank you. Sean, may you rest in peace.