The part of the state that I come from is, to put it mildly, economically depressed. It's been said that if Eastern North Carolina was cut off from the rest of the state, it would no-contest be the poorest state in the U.S.
Some of those small towns are worse off than others. They try so hard to cling to their Main Street way of life and battle Wal*Mart like the plague when they come prospecting in their open fields. As they should. I hope there are some small towns left when it's time for my kids to make a choice on what kind of life they want to live. North Carolina is becoming a rest stop for Northerners looking for somewhere to escape high taxes, insane property costs, and nipple-exploding cold winters.
I digress.
The problem with being from somewhere like Edenton ("The prettiest little town in the South") is that you have to scramble to get out of there. Else, you'll end up at ECU (nothing wrong with that) or some other close-to-home school and you'll find that after graduation home will become a magnet. You HAVE to go back. The kids who really want to get the hell out of Dodge are out scratching peoples' eyes out for scholarships so that they can get at least an hour and a half further away to the capital where they won't feel the lure of returning.
Those who just don't have the grades end up giving their life to some branch of the U.S. Military long before graduation looms. What else is there to do? Work on Daddy's farm? Make grilled cheese sandwiches at the drug store?
Today, I finally found enough courage to scan the names of North Carolina casualties from the current conflict. I didn't know if I'd be able to bear seeing one of my classmates or community memebers listed in there, but would cross that bridge when I got to it.
Fortunately, I didn't recognize any of the names there. The closest casualty to hit home was from another small town (Hertford) about fifteen minutes away. They must be really reeling from that on days like today, and my heart goes out to them. It takes a special kind of person to enlist at any time, whether it be during peace or war.
As much venom as I may spew (or keep swimming around in my head) about this administration or the feeling of futility I sense in some of our military endeavors, for today I'll just say to those patriots: Thanks.
Chad did a memorial trek this weekend. Pictures are up at his site.
Posted by Tiffany at May 30, 2005 11:10 AMI had a Soldier just get recruiting duty. He chose High Point because he knew it wouldn't be as tough of a job. He knows that it's an easier "sell" out here... He could have gone ANYWHERE in the US, and he chose right here.
Posted by: chad at May 30, 2005 11:57 AM