It Is The Soldier
"It is the soldier, not the president who gives us democracy.
It is the soldier, not the congress who takes care of us.
It is the soldier, not the reporter who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
And it is the soldier, who salutes the flag; who serves beneath the
flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, that allows the protester
to burn the flag.”
-Father Dennis O’Brien, USMC Chaplin"
5) You Don't Support The Troops?
BIG mistake. I know it's hard for many of us to fathom, but I have in fact heard, and know other people feel this way... but I have actually heard people claim that anyone who joins the military is "dumb", "stupid", "retarded", etc. This just blows my mind. If anything, if someone is really that anti-war... THEN REALLY, YOU SHOULD BE THANKING GOD FOR THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE SERVING AND RISKING THEIR LIVES SO YOUR SORRY BUTT DOESN'T HAVE TO. In case no one has told you that before, it's about time you heard it. Has anyone heard recently what Obama said about the troops? "air raiding villages and killing civilians" Uhm... wow. Talk about disrespect, and you elected him to be the president of OUR country? Way to go, America.
Does anyone remember what Senator Kerry said about the troops? Well, I remember when it was a HUGE controversy, and I have had it posted on my Myspace as long as I can remember. Let me refresh your memory. The following is a Marine in Iraq's response to Senator Kerry:
**The following letter was written by my husband, Aaron, who is currently
deployed to Iraq, in defense of a recent comment made by Senator John
Kerry. Pass it along, it might inspire someone else to speak up! ~
Michelle**
The other day - John Kerry said,
"You know education..If you make the most of it, you study hard, you do
your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well, and
if you don't, you get st uck in Iraq."
So I wrote him a letter:
I am a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. I am currently on my
second tour in Iraq, a tour in which I volunteered for. I speak Arabic
a nd Spanish and I plan to tackle Persian Farsi soon. I have a Bachelors
and an Associates Degree and between deployments I am pursuing an M.B.A.
In college I was a member of several academic honor societies, including
the Golden Key Honor Society. I am not unique among the enlisted troops.
Many of my enlisted colleagues include lawyers, teachers, mechanics,
engineers, musicians and artists just to name a few. You say that your
comments were directed towards the President and not us. If we were
stupid Senator Kerry, we might have believed you.
I am not a victim of President Bush. I proudly serve him because he is my
Commander and Chief. If it was you who was President, I would serve you
just as faithfully. I serve America Senator Kerry, and I am also
providing a service to the good people of Iraq. I have not terrorized
them in the middle of the night, raped them or murdered them as you have
accused me of before. I am doing my part to help them rebuild. My role is
a simple one, but important. You see Senator Kerry, like it or not, we
came here and removed a tyrant (who terrorized Iraqis in the middle of
the night, and raped them and murdered them). And we have a
responsibility to see to it that another one doesn't take his place. The
people of Iraq are recovering from an abusive relationship with a
terrible government and its going to take some time to help them recover
from that. We can't treat this conflict like a microwave dinner and throw
a temper tantrum because we feel like its taking too long.
Senator Kerry, you don't have to agree with this war. You don't have to
say nice things about those of us who choose to make sacrifices for the
rights of every American rather than sit back and simply feel entitled to
it. But please Senator Kerry, if you're going to call me a stupid
murdering rapist, stick by what you say. Don't tell me that I
misunderstood or that you would never insult a veteran because you are
one too. Having been there and done that does not give you a free pass to
insult me.
My suggestion for you, Senator Kerry, is to remember that your speeches
are recorded, and broadcast to us simpletons over here. You may want to
work on the delivery of what's written for you by your spin doctors - say
it back to them so they can tell you what the presentation sounds like,
how others might interpret what you say.. Remember that we can't read
your mind. If there are any misinterpretations in what you say, it's
because YOU didn't communicate clearly.
Good luck to you Senator Kerry, if nothing else it's always entertaining
to watch you try and climb out of the holes that you constantly dig for
yourself.
Sincerely,
Somebody who is watching his daughter grow up in photographs so that you
can have the right to say whatever you want about him.
Does this piss anyone else off? It was written off as a joke that he messed up, but whatever. People who make racists comments sometimes say "Oh, it was just a joke." Does that excuse the remark? Nooope. If this doesn't anger you, it should. If this doesn't bring tears to your eyes, it should. If this doesn't make you want to salute your flag and make you feel lucky, it should. How anyone can get through this and not be touched on so many levels, I'm unsure. Aside from being plain angry, I'm proud of this soldier's response... he stood his ground and told it like it was. I'm proud of these people and I'm glad that they are fighting for me. This also makes me appreciate my family and the opportunties I have to spend time with them. Everyone should think about this and what a soldier gives up for you. Finally, I just wanted to say right now, I have been someone who has supported our troops as long as I can remember. I was raised in a very patriotic household, and remember as a kid thinking it was so amazing when Americans came together, especially in the time of war. Do you remember after September 11th when newspapers printed paper American flags and everyone had them displayed in their windows? Why were those torn down? I still have mine (although I have a real flag of course). I have Americana items all over my apartment and this will never change. I remember thinking as a little girl when I got a little like 8 inch flag from school that it was the COOLEST thing ever. I felt so proud and awesome because I had an American flag, one of the greatest things ever. I still get this feeling when I see a flag... I wish everyone felt this way. It's not even just the flag... but pride in America in general... and especially in our troops.
When I got older, I started to get into politics. I had current affairs, government, and history classes that I just thrived in. I LOVED giving my opinion. I was also a member of the Youth In Government club my last three years of highschool. I participated all these years in an activity called MGA (Model General Assembly). Students from all over Virginia came to discuss politics in the actual General Assembly buildings, etc. It was one of the neatest experienecs for me and is one of the reasons I changed my major to Political Science. But aside from all of the politics, one of my greatest passions and fasinations has been with the United States Military... a great and honorable group of people. Military songs touch my heart and can bring tears before they even begin. These people are doing such an amazing and honorable job... and it's hard for me to believe that someone could disrespect them. In my "Heroes" section of Myspace, I state "and The US Military ...who are putting it all on the line to fight for my freedom." I mean, it's the truth. They are my heroes. This especially started to touch home when I had two friends join the military, my cousin who is also a close friend of mine, and most recently when my best friend who I love more than I could even begin to explain to you... joined the United States Marine Corps. It's been a rough transition so far, but I have a tremendous amount of hope and I'm so very proud. My heart belongs to a Marine... and my gratitude belongs to all those currently serving, and the millions before them who have served. My heart also goes out to all of those who have lost loved ones, also to the families who currently have someone serving, and especially to those men and women whose love is currently serving our country. May they come home safely, and may you stay strong... I know it's a feeling no one can even BEGIN to describe, and it's a fight in it's own to be away from someone in that situation. Stay strong and stay faithful... the person you love is doing a great duty to our nation and all of its people.
When it really comes down to it, Toby Keith says it best about all American Soldiers. "I'm out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight." I know I sure feel protected.
