Just wanted to share this.

**doug1980** · 07-27-2009, 04:34 PM

THIS WAS WRITTEN BY A SOLDIER on his 3rd tour IN IRAQ.

Okay, I need to rant.

I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point of my rant.
Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief? When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood, and even Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?
Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America.
Where is their moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddance," and "thank God for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a POP ICON?
I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too.
We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.
Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Feel free to pass this along if you want. Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is serving in the military; "So that others may live..."

Isaac

Only two people have ever effectively given their lives for you.
Jesus Christ and The American G.I.

**Ken** · 07-27-2009, 04:37 PM

How true.....

**Rick** · 07-27-2009, 04:41 PM

I appreciate the sentiment in the post but I always get a little leery when no author information is shared. Very often it's someone behind a computer here in the U.S. with no affiliation to the military.

Still, as I said, I appreciate the sentiment.

**nell67** · 07-27-2009, 04:41 PM

God bless Isaac and his current and former(RIP) comrades in arms.

**crashdive123** · 07-27-2009, 04:49 PM

While I too agree with the sentiments in the post, in my 20+ years in the military I never met one Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine that was looking for anything more than being able to do their job. When they (I) recieved a thank you it gave them (me) a warm glow inside. While that may have been written by a soldier, I don't think most would rant in public that way. In private - a whole different story.

**rebel_chick** · 07-27-2009, 07:17 PM

Well one way or the other, I am glad someone said it anyway! I thank all our soldiers everyday.

I had a soldier at a table that I was waiting on one day and out of the goodness of their heart, a family at another table just took their check and paid for it. He was confused as to why they were paying for their check. I simply exclaimed that they appreciated his work and wanted to show it. They left before the soldiers family was able to thank them. They didn't want any thanks, it was all theirs. In turn the soldiers wife went down the street to an atm and came back and personally handed me 20 dollars. Not what I expected but was welcomed anyway.

I pray for our soldiers. I have my own family over there in Iraq as well. I miss them very much.

**Pal334** · 07-27-2009, 07:21 PM

Thanks Doug for sharing. And Crash you are correct, a simple thanks, cup of coffee goes a long way to making a military person feel good.

**Ole WV Coot** · 07-27-2009, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by Pal334

Thanks Doug for sharing. And Crash you are correct, a simple thanks, cup of coffee goes a long way to making a military person feel good.

I could care less who wrote it. Don't expect a thanks for doing your job but when you get stateside a simple thanks would work. I still get hot over the
way you were treated in the '60s and had a Boy Scout uniform on or even a
decent haircut. These "pop heroes" wouldn't make a pimple on a real man's rear end. I could really tell what I think about these "heroes" and "Sir" Elton John & others

that have ruined the title but it would have to be deleted. My personal ain't gonna change opinion.

**pocomoonskyeyes** · 07-27-2009, 10:32 PM

Well I guess I never expected a thank you for anything related to the military when I was in Or since.but I guess I wouldn't have minded a simple thank you. Paying for my meal, I don't think so. I remember how Vietnam Vets were treated and absolutely did not like that at all. I may or may not agree with our politicians reasons for putting them there,but that's a different story. Any soldier I see I either salute(my way of saying Thank you)or tell them thank you. Freedom isn't free never has been. I know what the price is and it's high. I'm sure most of you know that, I'm just putting it on record for myself.