The conversation in many ways was typical girl talk, several of us being on the receiving end of magic that salon workers make for the beauty parlor-deprived of the world.

The hairdressers, too, were in expansive moods, enjoying the conversation and the jobs they were doing on a Saturday morning.

As with so many chatty groups in office settings, on street corners or at the grocery store, talk turned to the war in Iraq, to the differences of opinion among Americans, Europeans and others in the world and to whether or not the Dixie Chicks should be shunned by disc jockeys because of the controversial comment made by one of the singers about President George Bush.

One of our group being foreign born &045; but just maybe the most patriotic American among us &045; the talk turned to the attitude of so many people in her native country. Her description painted a clear anti-Bush picture, and that saddened her.

The conversation continued, however, delving into the ways in which people in European countries look upon Americans as greedy, wasteful and boastful. Careful study of the varying lifestyles bears out their thinking in many ways.

Indeed, we are blessed in a land of plenty &045; plenty to eat and drink, plenty of automobiles and the gasoline it takes to operate them, plenty of entertainment, plenty of opportunity to become successful; really, just about plenty of everything.

On the other hand, no where in the world are there people more generous and more sensitive; more hopeful for a better future for the world; more devoted to ideals and spiritual integrity; more willing to sacrifice.

Those thoughts and more surface in a simple e-mail from young Thomas Enright, who has deep family roots in the Natchez area. His tour of duty in war-torn Afghanistan continues. However, he had a few days away from the sand, wind and dust last week and wrote to say how lovely it was to have a shower during his brief stay in Qatar, to sleep in a bed with real sheets and pillows, to browse in a bookstore and to eat Pizza Hut pizza and Baskin-Robbins ice cream.

Thomas’ e-mail also was a reminder of a quote that exemplifies the commitment of the military personnel who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A television reporter, in the midst of the terrible sand storm that raged during the first few days of the war in Iraq, leaned down to question a young U.S. Marine who lay on his belly with his eye peering through the scope of his rifle &045; despite the practically nonexistent visibility.

&8220;What do you think about being here?&8221; the reporter asked. The young American answered, &8220;I love it, sir. I truly do. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now.&8221;

There is something about the response of that Marine that goes to the heart of the conversation among a few Natchez women on a beautiful, peaceful April morning.

That young Marine no doubt loves his warm showers, pizza and ice cream. But he didn’t mind giving them up for a while, even taking a chance on giving up his life for a cause he and most of the rest of the world may not have fully understood.

But the brave and generous spirits of young soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines need no explanation, really; nor do they require justification. We who benefit from their dedication can say without prejudice, &8220;Let freedom ring.&8221;

Joan Gandy

is community editor of The Democrat. She can be reached at (601) 445-3549 or by e-mail at

joan.gandy@natchezdemocrat.com

.