A Complacent America While Military Families Continue to Grieve
August 17, 2012
This morning I awoke in the same fashion I had one too many times this week, a text to my phone about another attack on service members by Afghani men who gained the trust of our troops. Yet, if you turn on the television, air time is consumed with political bickering, the fight over Chick Fil A, and the woes of a band in Russia. Why such little attention to the deaths that are happening to our own citizens whom we sent overseas?
Days were spent mourning the victims of the Colorado massacre and Sikh temple shooting, as they should be. However, why doesn’t America mourn in the same way for the small percentage of men and women who took an oath that most are not courageous enough to do? War is ugly, no one disputes that; but we have a responsibility as the Nation, who asked those service members to answer that call, to ensure we are with them every day of that fight. How do we as a military community make sure our neighbors haven’t forgotten? Eleven years of combat, is that just too long to expect the national population to sustain interest in war?
I am sick. I am sick to know that in this week alone eight military families received the dreaded knock on the door because we failed to protect those troops from an enemy who found a new way to infiltrate Afghan forces. I am sick that just yesterday the Army published that in the month of July ALONE 38 soldiers took their lives. Thirty eight soldiers felt like there was no other way to go on in this life then to end their own. Suicide prevention is failing. We, standing on the free soil of the United States, are failing them.
Below are the names of six of our Marines who were killed in less than 24 hours by men posing as friendlies. Read their names, think of those families, and then make sure you share their names so that every American you encounter knows who gave their life in the name of freedom. The war is not over, casualties are still happening, and military families are still paying the ultimate price while America is busy with other headlines.
Rest in peace Marines and thank you for your honorable service:
* Capt. Matthew P. Manoukian
* Gunnery Sgt. Ryan Jeschke
* Staff Sgt. Sky R. Mote
* Staff Sgt. Scott E. Dickinson
* Cpl. Richard A. Rivera Jr.
* Lance Cpl. Gregory T. Buckley
Comments
Well said.
Well said.
Unfortunately nothing will
Unfortunately nothing will change !
its all about rank & money..
they dont care....
beautifully written
Beautifully written, I too wonder what we can do to make Americans more aware of our military and the sacrifices they make, have you ever seen Congress have a pay freeze? Come on America, everyone is so quick to bless our soldiers, and thank them for a great job, let's band together and help these young families, they deserve a much better deal than they get!! We should hold them up to the highest esteem, not our sports players, who get paid millions of dollars!!!
A retired Army wife
Well Said
Thank you for such a well written piece of journalism. Please remember our troops daily. I am the proud mother of son's who served in the Army and Marines and a grandson currently serving in the Air Force. I am proud to be American and thank all who have, are , or will serve our country. Freedom is not free.
I care even when others don't!
This article hits the nail right on the head. As an active duty Marine & combat veteran of Iraq & Afghanistan, it saddens me to know that such little attention is given to my brothers & sisters in the fight. The fact is that most in today's society are just too wrapped up in the lives of celebrities to have any idea what is going on in the real world. It's truly sad. My heart & prayers go out to the grieving families of these Marines and all others who sacrifice their life for the freedoms everyone takes for granted. Semper Fidelis brothers!
Black Mourning Ribbons
We lost two soldiers from Michigan on August 1. Nine days later, our country lost 6 Marines. When my seach for their info on Militarytimes.com took me to Honor the Fallen, I found there were 9 others who gave their lives in-between. I could not help but look at each warriors face and speak his name. I visit the site daily now and do the same for as many as I can - it is because of them, and my son, a United States Marine, that I am free to do so. My black Mourning Ribbons will remain on my short-staff flag, flying at "half-staff" to continually honor our fallen heros, their families, and, to serve as a reminder to all that freedom is not without sacrifice.
It seems to me, that
It seems to me, that American's haven't found a number of casualties that is unacceptable to make Congress stop this 11 year adventure called war. Apprently, the American people are okay with the trillions spent, as well, or the wars would be over. With less than 1% of our population bearing 100% of the burden of these wars it's no wonder.
For those of us who have buried a loved one, the complacency is appalling and unconscionable.
makes me sad
This information is so very sad. My heart goes out to all the families and friends who have lost loved ones. My son is in the Navy. I hope I never receive that knock on the door. The pain must be unbearable. Thank you to all who have served and are serving now.
Pretty
Pretty Interesting post. Could not be written any better. Thanks for sharing!
fsb russell
while i am sure a lot of it is true some is not i was there for over 4 hours i defended the northern 180 with 2 60s capt hill and cpl boreman handled the souther 180 when i left the cp the skipper had made no contact with any one on the hill and assumed we were the only 3 left alive for over 30 some years thats what i thought i never hurd any different it was my mortor squad that took the base back from the nva we threw 385 morter rounds down the tube but we wqere not mentioned in any citayionsz nor did we ever get any reconixation for what we did that morning i have never bin able to contact anyone saul galagos is the only one i remember ans i mentioned him in my story about the battle i do not want any awards unless its the exact truith i cannot accept something for a lie over marines deaths my email is bgarrett244@gmail.com
bgarrett
bgarrett,
It's not clear who you are? What unit were you with, was it 2nd battalion, 4th Marines? When did this happen? Talking about "NVA", it sounds like you were in Vietnam? FSB Russell, was that Fire Support Base Russell? Was Cpt. Hill your Company Commander?
Semper Fidelis,
Terry
bgarrett,It's not clear who
bgarrett,
It's not clear who you are? What unit were you with, was it 2nd battalion, 4th Marines? When did this happen? Talking about "NVA", it sounds like you were in Vietnam? FSB Russell, was that Fire Support Base Russell? Was Cpt. Hill your Company Commander?
Semper Fidelis,
Terry
thanks broo chat
thanks broo
This is very sensitive
This is very sensitive matter, something that we all need to debate keeping the emotions of the families and friends of military families. I am certainly keeping quite and seeing through the responses we get here.
Re:
Awesome! I am looking forward to following your next great job.
Great Article
Awesome! I am looking forward to following your next great job.
Great Article
God bless you all! You're in my thoughts and prayers.
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