Getting the letter that you have been chosen to join the military is one of the saddest moments that can happen to you and your family

In 1980 in the middle of your country’s war is the scariest moment.

My father told me the only thing he remembers is when he first got recruited was his mother’s tears down her face.

It’s hard for me to even imagine how a family can go through that. It’s sad to know that my father had to go through this pain with his family.

“It has been 2 hours since the battle started. I was walking the entire time hoping I don’t get hurt. I felt a burst of pain in my lower back.”

My father was about 23 at the time, younger than my brother is right now, but instead of my brother fighting for his life, he’s in medical school.

I asked my dad how many years were you in, the army for, three years he responded. “By the third year, I had been shot during battle.”

“I was injured in my lower back and was airlifted to a hospital nearby he told me”. I then asked my dad what his thoughts were when it happened.

“I thought I would never see my mother and siblings again and I couldn’t be a loss to her after my father recent passing.”

My dad took almost six months to fully recover. My dad told me that this journey made him who he is today, it also made him more protective for the people he loves and cares for.

It’s hard for me to believe that my father went through this because we grew up living like it never happened.
This was my father’s journey.

By: Shahd Alnasir