Once Upon a time.... an opening line that usually begins a fairy tale, where a good person has something bad happen to them, teaches the reader a lesson, then with prince charming swooping in to the rescue, lives happily ever after. Yet we all know this is only story book stuff, stories to read children and to shape their allowing and teaching them to dream, wish, and imagine. Once upon a time there was no war, there was no hate, there was no oppression, nor suffering, no starvation, humanity or the act of being humane was, was inconceivable, for all was perfect. That time was short lived, and the sins of man have contorted and perverted this very world we now are immersed in. The goal of this is by no means to portray an anti-war sentiment, for I know now we live in a time where peace must come through strength, words only go so far, and then the inevitability of taking up arms sets in. Yet I dream... I dream of a day where families know not the pain that the separation of deployed loved ones brings, where the angst of loss in battle is unheard of, dream of a place where the fear of a child never meeting their parent is no longer a reality, but it remains only dreams. I applaud, admire, and revere, the men and women sacrificing their lives, to allow for a dreamers mind to do just that, for freedom is not nor will it ever be free. With a heavy heart and tears in my eyes, I struggle to write this. For selfishness overtakes my thoughts, and the pain of "losing" yet another brother to the army becomes a reality. Losing, not in the sense of death, yet lost to space and time. I have often questioned the decisions, longed for life to be miraculously changed so that this sacrifice would not have to be a reality. Longed to be reunited, to build forts with the childish innocence we once had, but times have changed. You have heard your calling, and now all I can say is to pursue this with the utmost vigor and determination that I know you will do. Your bravery surpasses that of most, with a warriors spirit i pray you tackle this with prideful vengeance, humbling many, while you yourself are humble. Though no amount of letters or phone calls will fill the void separation creates, I dream of a day when we all can reunite laughing and crying. For family is a bond that should be as sound as the strongest armor, able to delve into the deepest depths and soar to the most distance places. No amount of time nor space can separate this. I love you Branden