brinktk

I have a few tattoos, all are related to my military experience.

I have cross cannons on my left upper arm for my branch in the army with "US Army" inscribed around it. On my right upper arm I have the words "Freedom Isn't Free" with an eagle breaking free of chains holding him down around these words. On my right shoulder I have the Iraqi cross swords that go over the parade field in Baghdad with my dates of service in Iraq underneath. And on my left ribcage I have the soldiers cross, the boots, upright rifle, helmet upon the buttstock, and dogtags suspended from the handle with the names of all the buddies of mine who have perished over the years from over 10 years of war (14 in all, and hopefully no more).

All are expressions of either proud service or made sacrifice. You could even make the argument they may be the visible indicators of the invisible scars that have happened to me over the years. The dichotomy of selfless, proud service as shown with my youthfull, naive pride when I got the cross cannons about a week out of AIT...yet painfull, willing sacrifice...as shown with my other tattoos displaying the mounting payment for the privledge of being a professional soldier during war. Or, maybe to give the impression to anyone who aspires to be in the profession of arms that this service IS honorable, but not easy, and it does come with a price. To each his own...That's just my two cents, I'll refrain from rambling any longer.