The Sandbox

I wanted to introduce a great website that I've had the opportunity to come across. It's called Doonesbury.

From 2005 to 2014 this blog hosted The Sandbox, a milblog posting over 800 essays by deployed soldiers, returned vets, caregivers, and spouses. 

Within this website is a blog section called The Sandbox. This  blog hosts written letters authored by military service members and families who have their loved ones in the service. It’s inside access to the personal views of these soldiers and their experiences, is astounding. The posts are captivating and intriguing. It’s a first hand account of the struggles and sometimes the laughs that soldiers encounter overseas.

One of the letters that captured my attention and I highly recommend to read, was written by an RN nurse that served in a civilian military hospital in the U.S. She depicts her view on having to take care of dying soldiers and the pain she had to endure emotionally as the years passed and the memories wouldn't fade. She continues to described the meltdown of her own mental state by constantly having to witness death and yet still have to console the families of these soldiers. Midway through her story I was able to take myself out of the Marine platform and see things from a different point of view, one of which I never really thought of. This letter was powerful in that it even made me internally connect with her and feel her sorrow. Making the choice to fight for your country doesn't only impact you but many others that you surround yourself with. Clara Hart, the name this RN likes to go by as to conceal her identity, was always plagued by the ending of one's life and all the depression that came along with it. Although it was a great weight on her shoulders, she always vowed not to quit. Unfortunately she was let go, and although finally free of proving this strenuous service, she was still imprisoned by the thoughts of all those she had to lay to rest. Sleepless night and reoccurring nightmares were a repetition. She was convinced this way the way she would live the rest of her life, until the day she was called upon from a widowed mother about to give birth to her unborn child. With the father no longer in the picture, as he died and was one of Nurse Clara Hart's patients, she needed help. 

This nurse whose real name is Susan decide to gather all her her energy and be there for this woman in her time of need. She was in the patients room with her as she gave birth, the same way she was there for her husband's passing. When the baby was born, and Susan held the baby she was finally able to have a heart warming memory fill her heart, and new life fulfilled the room. 

Susan became a changed woman and went on to continue helping others that encounter the same dilemmas. This blog has helped her created new bonds and friendships with others like her. There are many other stories that will send goosebumps up your arms and down your back. I  have learned quite a few things since encounters The Sandbox, so this is why I wanted to spread the information and hopefully someone else will be inspired to.

The creator of this blog is Garry Trudeau, when introducing  The Sandbox , he did it with this Doonesbury strip:

 This blog is riveting, you get the wonderful opportunity to read through these real life stories as I had the opportunity to do. The Sandbox's focus is all about the military member's, their families and letting them have a voice. You relive experiences and get to put yourself in their shoes. This by far is an exemplary blog, great for those in or out of the Armed forces. As a reader, you get to become familiar and related with these powerful emotions of these individuals who are writing their story. It is a way for them to involve the civilian world into their own world. 

My only down fall to encountering this blog is not having enough time to read all the entries. There are some great values to be gained in reading these stories. Some individuals even included their own poems, this creative outlet is great for soldiers and family members who are missing there loved ones or who just need to relinquish their feelings. It allows them to express themselves freely and without restraint as you can post anonymously. To anyone reading my post, I highly recommend this blog and enjoyed every post I could get my eyes on. I hope you will enjoy and take from this as well.

One Marines View: Semper Fidelis

I wanted to introduce a great blog that I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to come across; it is called One Marine’s View: Semper Fidelis. One Marine’s view is a tell it like is kind of blog. It depicts the view of a former Marine, Maj Pain, which comments on today’s current events that surround the military. Maj Pain is a former veteran; he was once an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corp and went off to become an officer. Through his many deployments and multiple combat tours he has gain a respect and admiration for former Marines.  Each of his posts displays his high regard for the Marines. He gives us his in-depth view and unfiltered commentary on the political and social events concerning our members of The Armed Forces. 

I particularly took interest in his post titled “36 Marine Heroesof the Pacific WWII Theater Found 71 Years After Death.” This post encompasses the sometimes horrible truth about the dangers of war. During WWII Marines fought long and hard in a violent Battle of the Tarawa in November 1943. Do to some unfortunate events many Marines died in the battle, 36 of whom were never brought back home until this year. The post goes on, in detail, describing one of the Marines, the intricate role he played in the war. I decided I wanted to add my own commentary to this post because as a former Marine I know the importance of returning home whether it is safely or not. Under no circumstances do we leave any Marines behind. It is heart wrenching to know that there is a grave stone with these gentlemen’s names on them that blatantly lie, stating it as their final resting ground. I am pleased to hear that after proper identification of these bodies, they will return home and to be placed to rest as they should have been many, many years ago. I go on to write: 

I enjoyed reading this post and admire the importance of bringing our Marines home under any circumstances. It is very unfortunate these brave men have been so far from home through all these years. They died defending our country and deserve to rest in peace in their own home. I am comforted to hear the tale of 1^st Lt. Alexander Bonnyman and gleam with joy that he is finally going to make it home. He has earned the great Medal of Honor amongst other praises, with doing so he has also earned the respect of a final resting place. The dignity I have for all my fellow Marines holds true even up to their very last breath, and it is great to know the same holds true for others as well. I hope my blog; Welcomehomemarine.blogspot.com can be as empowering as yours. Semper Fidelis!

Although  each comment is accepted at the discretion of the author on whether it will be posted, I hope when I check back in I see my comment, it lies right under this wonderful post about these heroic Marines. I surely recommend others in viewing this blog and getting an eagle eyes view of a truly exemplary blog. This blog has went on to win many awards including the Patriotic Website Award, which I can only dream of doing so myself one day.