The sounds of war...

[opiate69]

I live in a rather quiet little valley adjacent to Fort Lewis, Washington. Fort Lewis is a huge military base, complete with airfield, firing ranges, and artillery ranges. Fairly frequently, they'll perform drills with the big guns, and when they do, the concussion can be heard for miles, and often seem to sound like they're right next door. Many a night, I've laid awake listening to the deep, thunderous rumble, and the thought that's been creeping into my head over the last few years is, for my family, meighbors and I, these sounds can be something of a nusciance. But in many places around the globe, people can also be found laying in bed, listening to all-too-similar earth shaking explosions, and have to wonder in fear how many of their friends, family, colleagues, countrymen will live to see the dawn... or whether the next big explosion will be their home. Will they wake up to find their children's rooms destoyed? I cannot fathom living with that kind of constant fear. I suspect most can't.
So, to all who have - and continue - to work tirelessly to bring peace to our little blue sphere .... thank you. (even though the words somehow don't seem to be enough)

[Mythsaje]

1. It is a strange sensation, isn't it?

We used to feel those rumbles all the way out in Graham, when we lived out there.

I've had similar thoughts myself a time or two.

[opiate69]

2. No doubt.. then, add in the helicopters overhead, and it can be downright eerie

[Mythsaje]

5. I'd imagine. Helicopters out that way are rare. n/t

[uppityperson]

3. We have had it pretty easy.

It is odd, thinking of having those worries all the time. Very sad.

[opiate69]

6. Definitely helps me appreciate what little I do have..

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. My dear opiate69...

Yes, it must be really strange to be in a place where you hear the sounds of war, without the actions...

But for those folks who live with war all the time....

The sounds and the horrific upheaval as well....

The constant fear must be intolerable...

I hate it that we've taken that war to those innocent people... :mad:

Indeed.......Blessed are the peacemakers...

[Selatius]

7. My parents weren't so lucky when they lived in Viêtnam during the war.

The thumping sounds of heavy bombs or artillery exploding would gently suck the air out the window just so slightly at night. You can tell because the motion of the air caused the curtains to stir.

I can imagine the sounds you are hearing torment many a war vet who has lived through the horrors of war. For them, the sounds are more than a nuisance.

[SeattleGirl]

8. I know what you mean. Though I live in Seattle, I travel through

your area whenever I travel to Oregon to see my family.

I often see military convoys traveling up and down I-5.

And I have, more than once, been traveling that area when the "war games" are going on, and it's really spooky.

Hearing those sounds, and knowing that they are from REAL war, and not "war games" is something that is too scary to contemplate.

And I bet Dubya hasn't lost one night's sleep over the real war, either.

In fact, I truly believe he LOVES war, and would dare say (and forgive me if this offends anyone), he actually gets off on blood, death, and destruction. War porn, as it were.

[sanskritwarrior]

9. It is definitely a horrifying

and terrible feeling to hear the incoming rockets..........but at least you can hear those, the insurgents mortars are almost never heard, if you hear a mortar it is already way too close.....