The Enchanter's Theorem

For me, Memorial Day is a bittersweet day.

I come from a family with a strong military tradition. My Grandfather Marvin served in the Navy. So did my Grandfather Harry. Both served in the Pacific during World War II. My father served in the Army in Korea, right before the Viet Nam War. My Cousin Aaron, just a boy, was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq at the age of 24. My Cousin John served in the Navy on a nuclear submarine. My Aunt Marilyn worked for the Pentagon as a civilian contractor for the Air Force. My Uncle Chuck served in Viet Nam. And it goes back further than that. We are in many ways a family of soldiers and merchants. It is something I am deeply proud of.

Once upon a time, I was going to join the Air Force. I had my sights set on becoming the first female combat pilot and eventually, the first woman to fly the SR-71. The saddest day of my young life was when they told me my eyesight was failing and was already over the legal limit of what the armed forces would allow. That I would never fly a combat jet. That I would never even get to try for that seat in the Blackbird.

The second saddest day of my young life was when they retired the SR-71. Even if I had made it into the Air Force, I never would have gotten to fly her. She would have been gone. Yes, there are other experimental supersonic craft. But the Blackbird was my dream.

I wanted it more then anything. I wanted to serve my country. The men in my family had. Why not me?

Women now serve in our forces and I am fiercely proud of them. Because they serve where I cannot. They prove daily that we are not less. That we are as dedicated. That we are not afraid to stand up and be counted.

Do I wish that they were not spent on petrowars? In countries where if they were native, they would be considered less, just because of their gender? Gods, yes.

But they are there.

And I like to think that somewhere, there is a young woman with eyes like an eagle. She sits in the cockpit of the sleekest, fastest, blackest bird that has ever flown. She carries her cameras high over the world, bringing back intelligence and data from the roof of the world. What she doesn't know is that she carries my heart with her.

I don't know her name.

But if I cannot serve, I will remember. It is my duty and my honor to do so.