What Would I Carry?

I've never had to think about what I would carry with me had I been in a war-like situation. After reading Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried," I was forced to think about the tangibles and even intangibles that I would carry in my rucksack. Of course, men in the story carried objects "varied by mission" as well as necessity, superstition, and rank. Therefore, depending on what section of the military I was placed in, I would carry the proper weaponry or defensive mechanisms like tear gas. I would wear and carry the proper uniform to protect myself from shots or danger. I would always have a canteen with me for water, and if the luxury was there, I would carry around small, flavored tea packets to mix with my water. I would carry a picture of my family, and most importantly, a picture of my hero: my grandmother. The ability to look at those pictures along the way would help me continue on with my treacherous journey. I would also carry pictures of my friends, which would help me to retain memories and laugh at past jokes. I would have to carry with me my lucky charm: my Texas State Volleyball ring, preferably hanging from a necklace. Along in my rucksack would be the necessities, like socks, a raincoat, a tent, canned foods, small bottles of soap, and most importantly, gum or some way of keeping my teeth clean.  I would carry grief for the dead, sorrow, and longing for my family with me at all times - intangibles are just as important as the tangibles are in a situation like war. But, the most important intangible I would carry with me, which I carry with me at all times, is a sense of willpower and determination. In a dark, dreary situation like war, the difference between insanity and a drive to live can be affected by a smile or a positive attitude.