EPILOGUE/HOME
As with all journeys, there is a first step. For me that first step was recognizing that there is an entire world out there, and I was simply a small piece in it. For me, realizing that the world could be a cold, dark and lonely place was disheartening, yet also realizing that within this world there was good, purity, and wonder was foretelling; it gave me my calling. Mayhaps that calling was naive, yet I answered it nonetheless, and for 17 years and 2 days now. I have (like Quixote), tilted with the forces of darkness, yet please do not think me mad, just at times foolishly idealistic despite my own darker side and even despite knowing better. I just chose to believe in something beyond myself.
I truly believe if we have nothing worth fighting to the death for, then life is the bitterest fruit, and for me I can not live in a world where I have no reason to hold onto what sweetness life can offer. As part of our human condition, we have grown far too fond of strife, and war. Yet, despite ourselves we find something oddly comforting in our little wars. We find a reason to go on.
I am home now, thus this blog, in it's current form is at long last finished. There may be a link that pops up here in the following weeks pointing to another blog. I am not certain if I will, yet I will keep the thought open. As for me and my war, I am simply a soldier who survived, did his time, and is now home. The torch has been passed to the 506th IN "Curahee!!!". Sadly, to those about to die, I salute you. May God (however you perceive him) watch over you with a ready sword.
"Struggle is the perpetual food of the soul, and it knows well enough how to extract the sweetness from it." --F. Nietzsche. 
Just wanted to say cheers, welcome home, and like everyone else, unspeakable thanks for your service and sacrifice. What you and your comrades do is one of the highest examples of selflessness and its worth honouring, despite people's propensity to forget that.
I just randomly came on here (searching for the text of the phrase "si vis pacem, para bellum" ironically) but just wanted to say thanks, and cheers mate.
Posted by: Nic | 2006.08.05 at 06:54
Welcome home Lt.it is good that your back home safe and sound!Thank you again for your srvice to this nation,and your wife's committment as well.God Bless both of you and hope you'll keep blogging,you are very takented,and gifted as so many of the millbloggers are.You guys are a cut above.Thanks again.
Posted by: Lisa Gilliam | 2006.07.02 at 17:12
Welcome home Lt.it is good that your back home safe and sound!Thank you again for your srvice to this nation,and your wife's committment as well.God Bless both of you and hope you'll keep blogging,you are very takented,and gifted as so many of the millbloggers are.You guys are a cut above.Thanks again.
Posted by: Lisa Gilliam | 2006.07.02 at 17:11
You don't know me, but I felt the need to comment.
I found this entry purely by chance; I was searching for something else entirely and it happened to pop up in Google.
All I can say is...wow. You have a gift with words, something that most people can only dream of having, much less understanding.
The paragraph starting with "I truely believe" is the one that really caught my attention. You hit the nail on the head with that one.
As a fellow soldier, I know how it feels to be alone and to fight for something others can never understand. I'm glad to see one more person gain something from it, rather than feel that they only lost.
Drive on.
Posted by: SPC Brandon Butler | 2006.05.22 at 06:55
BE A MAN AND LEAVE THIS POST INTACT.
JESUS CHRIST HAS REMOVED HIS BLESSING FROM AMERICA BECAUSE OF YOU AMERINAZIS. YOU CAN’T MURDER PEOPLE TO STEAL THEIR OIL, THEN LIE ABOUT IT! YOU DON’T THINK YOU’RE GOING TO HELL FOR THAT?
http://www.deanberryministries.org/index3.html
Posted by: DEAN BERRY -- REAL AMERICAN | 2006.04.22 at 23:45
Dang it. I missed your homecoming. (But I see that the lovely Mrs. Currie didn't. :-))
Now what about that campaign?
Posted by: baldilocks | 2006.03.31 at 22:05
Dear LT,
welcome back...thank you for posting...gives me great hope that my loved one will also, one day return to my arms.
best wishes for a great future!
Posted by: cindy | 2006.03.11 at 19:06
Welcome Home.
Posted by: cary | 2006.03.06 at 19:44
Good righteous deed poopsy
Posted by: Boondock Mcgahee | 2006.03.06 at 09:47
i am glad you made it home safely
i am sorry i havent posted in awhile
i had to reimage my pc and i lost my bookmarks
but im glad you are home
Posted by: jackie | 2006.02.16 at 10:16
Good morning LT Currie.
Glade you made it home. Enjoy life and share your experiences LT. That will help peoples understand our reasons why we duty and why we do it for this world FREEDOM.
Best regards to you and your wife.
CPT."TYPHOON"
"Hog" JockeyDriver
Posted by: CPT."TYPHOON" | 2006.02.05 at 04:14
I've read your blog at times with great interest. It along with letters from my godson gave me a better picture of Iraq and what a soldier is going through than the press or politicians ever did.
I'm happy that you've made it home safely. If I remember correctly you were thinking about running for office against Maxine Waters. If you decide to do that and need volunteers feel free to contact me.
Posted by: Lynn | 2006.02.01 at 21:04
Dearest Russ,
I am soo glad you are back on our soil, safe and sound, in the arms of your beautiful wife. You are an extraordinary man who really inspires the best in people. I hope you pursue your role in Congress. We need you up on the hill. Hope to see you soon.
~Jenn
Posted by: Jennifer Maguire | 2006.01.31 at 10:41
Welcome home and many thanks for a job well done! You and your family represent the very best of the free world.
Posted by: susan | 2006.01.31 at 05:36
Glad to see you made it home safe and sound. Take care my friend.
Posted by: Cinnie | 2006.01.30 at 11:18
Hey LT,
congratulations on getting home safe, and thank you for your service. I should be done this spring sometime. Meanwhile, Ramadi is still a dangerous place to hang your hat.
God Bless,
Lieutenant K
www.wordsmithatwar.blog-city.com
Posted by: Lieutenant K | 2006.01.30 at 02:48
Very nice to see you back. One of my friends, Niel from Adlandpro, told me about your blog so a wanted to stop by. Very interested about your views about China will be in the next couple of years. Sometimes I wonder if we as Americans are a bad influence on the world. I have a feeling this whole thing with China will blow up in our face because they will use the excuse, "Well, if you guys can do it, we can too!" Let's see how this unfolds shall we.
Posted by: Philena | 2006.01.29 at 05:05
Welcome home! I am glad you arrived safely to the arms of your lovely wife.
Bless you both!
HH6
Posted by: Household6 | 2006.01.29 at 02:31
Welcome home, Rusten. That is a great picture of you being welcomed by your wife.
Hold on to your faith in the good fight, and keep tilting at windmills. This Earth is definitely not heaven, and only constant struggle by men and women of good will can it be saved from becoming hell.
Our road upward is hard, and it is not certain that we will make it. But we MUST make the attempt...
Posted by: Edward | 2006.01.28 at 22:30
Welcome home Russ. I can't thank you enough for your writing and inspiration on your blog. I'm so glad you and your wife now have the rest of your lives ahead of you. You will always be able to hold your head high for serving this country. I really do hope you continue with your dream to run for Congress.
Posted by: toni | 2006.01.28 at 11:33
I am so happy that you are safe at home at last. Thank you so much for all you've done. I love the photo of you and your lovely wife. Enjoy each other. G-d bless you.
Posted by: Maggie45 | 2006.01.27 at 18:57
Thank you just doesn't seem to be quite enough. Many years ago, as a military brat, I learned to execute a crisp salute. More importantly, I realized how this gesture symbolized deep repect and honor. My father commanded and earned that respect, as did his father before him. I saluted my own son when he followed in their footsteps. It is with deep gratitude that I extend to you that same honor. I "Salute" you Rusten and wish you the very best in all your future pursuits. Sincerely, Julie Harris
Posted by: Julie Harris | 2006.01.26 at 16:09
Hey brother. Nicely said. Drop me a line and we can do dinner on my side of the Marina. Our wives ought to meet.
It was, even if nothing new ever happened, an honor to serve with you. I learned a lot.
Best always.
Posted by: Demon26/Stinger56/Stalker2A | 2006.01.25 at 21:16
congratulations and welcome home!!
Posted by: olga | 2006.01.24 at 20:17
I'm so glad you're home. Thank you for all that you have done and thank you for allowing us to catch a glimpse inside.
- hfs
Posted by: HomefrontSix | 2006.01.24 at 12:31
Welcome home!
Please do continue writing... surely you haven't run out of things to say!
Are you still thinking of running for Congress?
Posted by: Eric Wilner | 2006.01.24 at 10:11
Welcome home Sir. Thank you for your service.
Posted by: T. Warfield | 2006.01.24 at 08:48
Thank You, sir, for your service to our wonderful country.
Welcome home and thanks for this site! I will share it with others.
Posted by: James | 2006.01.24 at 04:57
Congratulations and welcome home Lt. You have taken part in a great epic that will decide the fate of our nation and the world. I do hope you continue to blog and more importantly I hope that you will continue to serve and follow your calling.
Posted by: David M | 2006.01.24 at 04:49
Thank you for your service and your writing....I do hope you will consider blogging on.
Posted by: Mary*Ann | 2006.01.23 at 17:27
Thank You for serving and for sharing. Welcome Home, now go enjoy...everything!
Posted by: Sherri | 2006.01.23 at 14:09
Thanks so much for everything Rusten. I can only echo what others here have said, particularly Guy Cannon. God Bless.
Posted by: membrain | 2006.01.23 at 10:32
God bless you... so glad to hear you are home & safe!
Posted by: Kat in GA | 2006.01.23 at 04:17
Welcome Home, Soldier.
Thanks for posting a picture with you and your gal.
Posted by: Janie | 2006.01.23 at 00:44
YESSSSSSSSS!
*LOVE* the picture, Russ! You two look adorable, and I couldn't be happier you're home.
You're a changed man, for sure, but the changes will fortify you and make you a stronger man and husband.
**HUGS**
Posted by: AFSister | 2006.01.22 at 17:10
I belive home is where the heart is!
been there done that, welcome home sir!
all the good to you and your love ones.
sgt.Ret. Ratliff
Posted by: coach Ratliff | 2006.01.22 at 15:11
Rusten,
It seems trite to say thank you for your service. Those of us that have never felt the sting of battle will never truly know or understand what you have experienced over the last several months. That being said, it is with a grateful heart that I say well done. You have truly served your nation in a noble fashion. God bless you and yours, and may you be successful in all of your future endeavors.
Posted by: Guy Cannon | 2006.01.22 at 13:46
Welcome home, and God bless you and your family, and like you I too pray for those who take your place.
I owe ya a beer or 20.
Jeff
Posted by: Jeff | 2006.01.22 at 13:09
Welcome home, take time with your wife and family and smell the roses. Thank you for your service and thanks for your blog.
Whatever you decide to do I am sure you will give it 110% and be the better for it.
Posted by: Ken | 2006.01.22 at 11:47
First, thank you for your service. Men like you are what makes our nation the greatest in the world.
I read your blog faithfully and lived vicariously through you, struggling through the pain of loss, the frustration of the military bureaucarcy and the ache of missing home. Your writing captured a side of war that few have ever written about.
I hope you will continue to write.
I'm glad you're home, safe in the arms of those you love. May God be with you.
Posted by: antimedia | 2006.01.22 at 10:09