A soldier's observation

[Half Pint]

This is written by a young soldier serving his third tour of duty in Iraq . Thought you might find his take on the Michael Jackson news interesting and he's right.


Okay, I need to rant.

I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point of my rant.

Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people,the American people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood , and even Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?

Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom ? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America . Where is their moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddance," and "thank God for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop Icon?"

I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.

Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military;

"So that others may live..."

Isaac


P.S.-"So that others may live..." was also the creed of the Air Rescue &
Recovery Service during Vietnam & is still today

[mongoose]

Of course he's right. We should send a copy of this to every member of congress.

Thanks for posting this, Cindy.

[ms_tapestry]

God bless our troops who die so that I might live free.

[Lady Godiva]

I gotta agree... Thanks for posting.

[Sweet Pea]

Thanks so much for posting that letter Cindy. God Bless our troops and those who gave their lives for our freedom.

It really should be sent to all of congress. Tell them to WAKE UP!!

[BigSwede]

Too bad it isn't a requirement for those appointed congress to have served in the military. Things might be just a little different.....

[Redleg]

Originally Posted by BigSwede

Too bad it isn't a requirement for those appointed congress to have served in the military. Things might be just a little different.....

Agree wholeheartedly. That's someting that hit home with me when I read Starship Troopers (the original Heinlein book) was the public service requirement before becoming a "full citizen". People would take voting and politics a lot more seriously if this existed today.

[J.A.F.O.]

Originally Posted by mongoose

Of course he's right. We should send a copy of this to every member of congress.

Thanks for posting this, Cindy.

100% right on...


This letter should be in every editorial section of every newspaper in the country.

[TalonChief]

Originally Posted by unchained

P.S.-"So that others may live..." was also the creed of the Air Rescue & Recovery Service during Vietnam & is still today

Well, I could say plenty, but I I'll let it lie.

That's currently the moto of the 347 Rescue Group, 23d Wing, Moody AFB, GA, with the 71 RQS flying the HC-130P and the 41 RQS flying the HH-60G--my former unit.

[fr8dog]

Originally Posted by mongoose

"... We should send a copy of this to every member of congress. ..."

Originally Posted by BigSwede

"Too bad it isn't a requirement for those appointed congress to have served in the military. Things might be just a little different....."

[BillyB]

Originally Posted by Redleg

Agree wholeheartedly. That's someting that hit home with me when I read Starship Troopers (the original Heinlein book) was the public service requirement before becoming a "full citizen". People would take voting and politics a lot more seriously if this existed today.

It's not uncommon today...Germany and Israel come to mind along with several other smaller nations, even Switzerland.