August 28, 2005

Well, it has been a while since I posted, several months actually, so I figured that I would update you on some pertinent things since I wrote.

As you know, I am home now, and I have left the lovely state of Texas and am now currently stationed in Kentucky training soldiers. I am trying to pass on lessons learned during my tenure in Iraq to the best of my ability. Maybe it will save someone.

I am saddened by the news these days. I am upset that people are disgracing my fallen comrades, America's soldiers, at their funerals. I read recently where there was a church group yelling obscenities at soldier's funerals and at their family members saying that God was punishing this country for harboring homosexuals and that is why their sons died. I care not one wit for the opinions of a so called "church" whose members resort to the tactic of berating the grieving family of a fallen soldier who gave his life for those he loved. I see articles in the news and other blog postings remeniscent of the "documentary" (more like travesty) Fahrenheit 9-11. I see where soldiers, soldier's families, friends etc. flame the government of this country and in turn disgracing the memories of their loved ones. Do I see a grieving mother at the ranch in Crawford, Texas? No, I see a disgruntled American citizen who is ravishing in the throes of public attention to publicly grieve for her lost son. I see not a mother who cares for her son or for his comrades in arms. I see a woman who is hell bent on rending this country apart because she lost her son. I would to God that if my mother was in her place, that she would thank God above that her son was now safe with Him. As much as it pains me to see a soldier die, or get injured, it IS our profession. It IS what WE signed on to do. No one made us do this. No one drafted us. We volounteered.

I read another article earlier on about a Sergeant, a Non-Commissioned Officer no less complaining about having no time off, his truck was broken, etc. Well listen here SERGEANT, fix your vehicle, continue your mission the best you can. You are in a war zone. The enemy doesn't take time off...why should we? We are soldiers; hardship is our middle name and a soldier, especially a leader, must make the sacrifice of "time off" to ensure his mission is completed and his men are safe.

I am disheartned by these facts, these soldiers and soldiers families disgracing everything they and their sons and daughters do. There are better ways to remember them. Memorials. Take an ad out in a newspaper. Something other than rend our country apart.

I remember coming home after being deployed and everywhere I turned, someone said thank you. Now, not even 5 months later, it seems every soldier is looked upon with disdain. We answered our country's call. Right or wrong, we answered the call.

I have one question to pose to the reader. Has there been another 9-11 here on American shores since the OEF and OIF campaigns? Think about it. Think about it long and hard. And also remember this...if we, THIS generation were not called to do this NOW...it would be YOUR sons, YOUR daughters, YOUR grandchildren, doing it in the years to come. As long as there are men in this world whose only desire is to control people, there will be war. It is OUR am as the American servicemember that WE continue to remain a free and independant people, free to voice our opinions, but remember, a Soldier gave you that right. A Soldier continues to see that you can exercise that right. A Soldier will continue to safeguard that right. Always.

"Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." Kipling/Orwell

Good Night and God Bless You and God Bless America