Despite what some people may think…I am NOT a fan of the war in Iraq. I’m really not a fan of war at all. I do however; feel that at times it is necessary.
If you want to hate the war, I understand that…even admire it. But the second you spew any venom directed at the troops stuck in this mess…you and I part ways and I find it hard to forgive and harder to forget, hatred directed at our troops.
Get a clue for crying out loud…these young men and women are stuck in a grinder of failed diplomacy, politics and religious hatred. They are there to put an end to it. Hate the grinder and not the meat.
But it is not my intent to argue the reasons for our current conflict or any other for that matter. Our troops are there. They are rebuilding, training, fighting, dying and being horribly wounded on our behalf. Any argument about the cause of war at this point is merely academic. It would do nothing to shorten the time our troops will be in Afghanistan and Iraq. Nor will it lessen the wounds or suffering or those directly effected by the war.
So Hell Yeah, I support our troops. It would be wonderful to have them all come home today, but that isn’t going happen. So until that time…I will be happy to pass them all the ammunition they can use, pay to armor their Hummers, have some of my taxes go to bullet resistant vests or even mow their lawns while they are deployed.
I received an email from a friend. One of those stupid chain emails I routinely delete with just the slightest glance or no real regret. I was incapable of doing that this morning. Maybe because it caused my eyes to well up and I couldn’t clearly see the delete key through my shimmering tears.
So I have decided to share it with you despite my misgivings of chain mail and my usual mistrust of any truth these emails may have. This one just seems to transcend my ingrained skepticism.
I hope it touches something inside you like it did for me.
A Simple Thank You
Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.
No, he responded.
Heading out I asked?
No. I'm escorting a soldier home.
Going to pick him up?
No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I'm taking him home to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."
Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.
So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.
Stuart Margel, Washington, D.C.
Here are two very very touching photos honored as this year's International Picture of the Year.
First Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport, Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac.
During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: "See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home," he said. "They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.”
Second Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. "I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it," she said. "I think that's what he would have wanted."
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