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December 01, 2005
Peace
Ben Hartford, a local man serving in Afghanistan, happened upon my entry about Veterans Day ("Missed opportunity"). His response is worth more readership than it would get as a comment tagged onto that entry, so here it is:
Mike,
I'm a paratooper with the 82nd Airborne currently on my second deployment to Afghanistan. My younger brother is currently on his second deployment to Iraq. We come from a long line of veterans (at least one ancestor of ours has served in every war since the founding of our great nation).
I just about jumped up and "hoorayed" when I read your almost month-old blog. It makes me sad to see kids, and America in general, forget our veterans and troops. I assure you, we (currently deployed soldiers) do not forget you (the American public). There are times when we can do nothing but think of you.
When raising my children, I will be sure to always remind them of those people that sacraficed years of their lives (sometimes all of their years) to give them the freedoms they enjoy.
One last thing. I don't like being in the Army. I'm too close to being a pacifist. But I love my country. And I love my countrymen. I can be a good soldier. I can do what needs to be done to complete the mission and get my buddies back to the hootch alive. If my being here, doing things that I don't always agree with, means that another 26-year-old got to go to college and start his life, then I've done my duty before God and country.
Peace Out,
Benny
Posted by Mike Pride at December 1, 2005 05:04 PM
Comments
Benny's letter was very true and touching. I loved how he says "There are times we can do nothing but think of you" (meaning us, the American public). It's true, many of us take for granted the fact that others are fighting FOR us while we enjoy life's luxuries and these men suffer, physically and especially emotionally. It doesn't hurt to send our wishes to these folks who are supporting our country overseas, even if we can't talk to them, the least we can do is send our thoughts. -V
Posted by: veronica at December 18, 2005 08:01 PM