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Forgotten Sacrifice

nonothing

Well-known member
Forgotten Sacrifice

By F. John Duresky
Wednesday, July 5, 2006; Page A13

A few days ago, as I do every day in Iraq, I listened to the commander's battle update. The briefer calmly and professionally described the day's events. Somewhere in Iraq, on some forgotten, dusty road, an insurgent fighting an occupying army detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) under a Humvee, killing an American soldier. The briefer fielded a question from the general and moved to the next item in the update.

The day before that, in America, a 15-year-old's incredibly rich parents planned the biggest sweet 16 party ever. They will spend more than $200,000 on an opulent event marking a single year in an otherwise unremarkable life. The soon-to-be-16 girl doesn't know where Iraq is and doesn't care. That same day an American soldier died in Iraq.

Two days earlier, a 35-year-old man went shopping for home entertainment equipment. He had the toughest time selecting the correct plasma screen; he could afford the biggest and best of everything. In the end, he had it installed by a specialty store. He spent about $50,000 on the whole system. He has never met anybody serving in the military nor served himself, but thinks we should "turn the whole place into a parking lot." That day, another American soldier died in Iraq.

Three days earlier, some college students had a great kegger. There were tons of babes at the party, the music was awesome. Everybody got totally blitzed, and many missed class the next day. The young men all registered for the draft when they were 18, but even though our nation is at war, they aren't the least bit worried about the draft. It is politically impossible to conscript young people today, we are told. That day, another American "volunteer" died in Iraq.

Four days earlier, a harried housewife looked all over town for the perfect accessory for her daughter's upcoming recital. Her numerous chores wore her out, but she still found herself preoccupied. Her oldest son is having trouble in his first year of college, and he has been talking of enlisting in the Army. She is terrified that her child will go off to that horrible war she sees on TV. She and her husband decide to give their son more money so he doesn't have to work part-time; maybe that will help with his studies. That day, another soldier died.

Yesterday millions of Americans celebrated Independence Day. They attended parties and barbecues. Families came together from all across the country to celebrate the big day. Millions of dollars were spent on fireworks. At public events, there were speeches honoring the people who served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. These words mostly fell on bored ears. While the country celebrated its own greatness, other Americans were still fighting in Iraq.

Today Americans go back to their normal business. The politicians in Washington have made sure the sacrifices of the war are borne by the very smallest percentage of Americans. They won't even change the tax rates to prevent deficits from running out of control. Future generations will pay the cost of this war.

Many Americans feel strongly about the war one way or another, but they aren't signing up their children for service or taking the protest to the streets. What can they do? It is they whom we in the military trust to influence our leaders in Washington.

Today, as on every other day in Iraq, American servicemen are in very real danger. Our country is at war. Mothers, fathers, wives, husbands and children are worrying about their loved ones in a faraway land. They all hope he or she isn't the one whose luck runs out today.

The writer is an Air Force captain stationed in Iraq




http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/04/AR2006070400790.html
 

CattleRMe

Well-known member
It provokes thought definatly. Makes one stop and think how we are all just going on with life and business as usual as people are losing their lives for our country. Good post.
 

Econ101

Well-known member
It reminds me of some of the historical texts of events just before the fall of the Roman empire.

When we forget the sacrifice for freedom because of our opulance, we do a disservice to our society (security) that provides for the basis of our wealth.

I think about issues like this everytime I see wealth and privledge being abused while others pay the price for that wealth and privledge.
 

nonothing

Well-known member
Econ101 said:
It reminds me of some of the historical texts of events just before the fall of the Roman empire.

When we forget the sacrifice for freedom because of our opulance, we do a disservice to our society (security) that provides for the basis of our wealth.

I think about issues like this everytime I see wealth and privledge being abused while others pay the price for that wealth and privledge.


I read this as a man asking for help from his home land.and even here in ranchers his message seems to have fallen on deaf ears...all but two people even took the time to aknowledged his words....
 

Steve

Well-known member
republicant may accaully respond

is that a typo or are you being sarcastic?

How many Ranchers buy $50,000 tv systems?

..or...$200.000 sweet sixteen parties?

or even look for "perfect accessory" for a recital while scrimping to send another child through college.....

maybe you lack of response was that those you sought to condemn are already sacrificeing? and could never dream of wasting that much on something only a Hollywood liberal could afford.....

need to find an opulant party try Hillery's web site, or some other hollywood lefties'.....I hear the Kerry's have fine parties,,,maybe they should respond?

by the way, what the Hell is a perfect accessory?
 

memanpa

Well-known member
ok you want a reply!!
it appears to be written for the current war. however i recall having one very similar sent to me during my little stint in another war,
one where there were a lot more of us dying every day. do not get me wrong i do not want any person to die(did not want my nephew to die)
but if dieing is what it takes so you hate mongers bush bashers can do just that well then ok i am willing to die! are you willing to stand along side me when the bullets start to fly or are you going to grab a white flag and hope they let you live after having their way with you!
NONOTHING.
do not even question my loyality!!
do not even question my ability to defend MY great county again if necessary!
been there done that have the scars
 

RoperAB

Well-known member
Econ101 said:
It reminds me of some of the historical texts of events just before the fall of the Roman empire.

When we forget the sacrifice for freedom because of our opulance, we do a disservice to our society (security) that provides for the basis of our wealth.

I think about issues like this everytime I see wealth and privledge being abused while others pay the price for that wealth and privledge.

I agree, thats why I think we should have compulsary military service.
Draft the slackers!
Put them in their own units on the front and dont force the normal army to fight a long side of them.
Slackers to the front! Sure would change their oppinions and Walt Disney vision of the world.
 

memanpa

Well-known member
frank !
why do you think it went over my head?

was it because i had seen something very simaliar in vietnam?
or was it because there is more to war than some statement like that?

come on FRANK enlightn me as to why you think it went over my head!

i would like to know why you feel that way
 

Frankk

Well-known member
Econ101 said:
It reminds me of some of the historical texts of events just before the fall of the Roman empire.

When we forget the sacrifice for freedom because of our opulance, we do a disservice to our society (security) that provides for the basis of our wealth.

I think about issues like this everytime I see wealth and privledge being abused while others pay the price for that wealth and privledge.

memanpa Econ said it better than I ever could. the post had nothing to do with bush bashing or someone's loyality. it was about wealth and privldedge and their going on with life while people like you and I do the dieing as for me a pat on the head and a good boy don't get it for me. let them share with me.
 

Red Barn Angus

Well-known member
Being a veteran of the Viet Nam era I have been there - done that too although I did not have to go to Viet Nam. I certainly agree with Econ 101 and the similarities to the Roman Empire. And I really agree with Roper and the draft. Wars tend to be fought by the poor folks but it just really bothers me that some of these rich folks take their wasteful lifestyle for granted and think it is their right. I believe a draft would provide many good things for our country. For one it would educate some of these softies who think the world owes them a living and it would also give us the manpower to fight a war and win it instead of what we appear to be doing now. I think it could enlighten a whole mass of Americans as to what it takes to remain free....not only the young people but their parents as well. Perhaps we could get some patriotism back in this lethargic population we have now. We used to be strong and a super power....I wonder if we really are today. I don't want to find out.
 

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