We Still Fight
If you have prior service in the US military, I thank you. If you currently serve in the US military, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Please take a moment today to thank a soldier. These are individuals that have volunteered to put themselves in harm’s way to defend our way of life. There is no greater act of courage or patriotism. A short note, letter, package, or email would mean a lot to a soldier currently serving overseas. Please consider adopting a soldier. You have no idea how much of an impact it will have on them to know that they aren’t forgotten about. An added benefit is how good it will make you feel. I can’t help every one of them serving, but I know that I can at least make a difference in one soldier’s life. It’s a start. Lots of times I feel like I’m not doing enough, and need to do more, but it’s a start.
I dedicate this post to PFC Hunter Ritz, US Army, currently serving in Iraq.
It really sort of sickens me how the media and others portray our soldiers. I’m tired of them being bashed and trash-talked. These guys are under such strict rules of engagement that they sometimes can’t even return fire when they’re getting pelted with artillery. And yet, they keep on doing it. No complaints, no reservations. They do it because it’s the right thing to do. When I found out how handcuffed the soldiers are, I was so mad that I called up my congressman and both my senators to let them hear a piece of my mind.
The song We Still Fight by the band Hatebreed sums up my thoughts pretty well.
Lyrics:
Talk of the causes you support,
Voice your misdirected views.
You only comment on the things you don’t have the power to change.
Do you even think before you speak?
Do you know what it is you condone?
Take a look at the world today.
You’ve taken your freedom and safety for granted.
How do you justify (you have no right)
The way you disgrace those who gave their lives.
And how do you justify (you have no right)
The way you disrespect those whose loved ones died.
Everyday is a different crusade,
You revolt from the safety of your fantasies.
Privileged, you’ve never fought for a thing.
You’d be the first to go if there was real anarchy.
All your jargon makes me sick.
You’re the farthest thing from an activist.
You’ve lost sight of what’s important and real.
You’ve taken your freedom and safety for granted.
How do you justify (you have no right)
The way you disgrace those who gave their lives.
And how do you justify (you have no right)
The way you disrespect those whose loved ones died.
This is dedicated to all those who gave their lives to uphold their beliefs.
Not to those who try to demean their sacrifices.
You have no right.
For those who fought our rights and for those who gave their lives.
And for the families whose loved ones died.
It’s their honor for which we still fight.
I was unable to find some really good action shots of soldiers serving in Iraq. All the photos below are from the series The Big Picture at http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/. Be sure to click to see the images full-sized.