A Soldier's Thoughts

 I Am An American Soldier

I am an American Soldier !

Not because I vote or preach

what I want.

Not because I buy items to

Toss and to flaunt.

It is not because I drink

Coca-Cola or eat apple pie.

Not because I’ve played

Baseball or caught a pop fly.

The reason I have rises

above all the rest,

The reason is simple; I have

been put to the test.

I have slept on the ground

And woke up all muddy,

I have cheered with my pals

and cried for my buddies.

I have walked through a

storm of bullets and brass,

And knew the guy next to

me was watching my ass.

I am an American because I

have earned it,

I fought for the flag and

cried as they burned it.

I chose this great life of

 bullets and beans.

The glory and glamour is not

what it seemed.

I will stand up right here

and proudly proclaim

That I am an American,

can you do the same?

The above was written by:  SOT Sancar Steffan Fredsti (Medic), 1^st Battalion, 18^th Infantry Regiment, 1^st Infantry Division during his deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Let us all remember this day and thank our veterans: active, retired, reserve and national guard. And let us never forget those who are still missing and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Veterans - A Comparison

We have all heard of the Band of Brothers and the bond that is formed between men and women who have served together defending our country.

There is also a certain difference between civilian friends and friends who are veterans. Here are just a few comparisons:  

Civilian Friends:  Tend to get upset if you are to busy to talk to them for a week. 

Veteran Friends:  Are glad to see you after years, and will happily carry on the same conversation you were having the last time you met.

Civilian Friends:   Have never seen you cry.

Veteran Friends:  Have cried with you.

Civilian Friends:   Know a few things about you.

Veteran Friends:  Could write a book with direct quotes from you.

Civilian Friends:   Are for a while.

Veteran Friends:  Are for life.

Civilian Friends:   Have shared a few experiences.

Veteran Friends:  Have shared a lifetime of experience no civilian could ever dream of ...

Civilian Friends:   Will take your drink away when they think you've enough.

Veteran Friends:  Will look at you stumbling all over the place and say: "You better drink the rest of that before you spill it." Then carry you home safely and put you to bed.

A veteran is someone, who at some point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to The United States of America for an amount of "up to and including my life." ... And military families are as much a veteran as their spouse, father, son, daughter, brother or sister.

Leading Up to Veterans' Day

Although it has been nearly a month since my last post I offer no excuse other than we simply have to set priorities in our lives. As much as I enjoy this blog, it does not take priority over family or personal affairs. 

With that said, we are only three days away from what I consider a very important holiday ... Veterans' Day. I am not prone to being political as we remember those who have worn and continue to wear the uniform of our nation's armed forces. But as a veteran I believe I've earned the right speak out.

Although I have what some may call distinguished credentials, I would like to
submit the following for your consideration as simply an American.

I am an American.

I have proudly worn the uniform of the United States Army in service to my
country. I have slogged through jungles and endured scorching dessert heat. I
have bled for my country.

I have traveled the world and proudly declared my citizenship with my passport
which is imprinted with the words “Unites States of America.”

I have looked with pride at the response of my countrymen and my
government’s elected leaders at the rapid response to help those in need all
over the globe.

I am an American.

I am proud of my country.

I only wish I could continue to say I am proud of my government’s leaders.

The sad truth is we are a government without true leaders.

Our leaders once had vision, compassion, daring and integrity. Our leaders
once led us to become the most wealthy, productive nation on the planet.
And,the most respected.

Today the respect has all but vanished. Our leaders have alienated our allies,
squandered our wealth and reduced productivity to primarily the increasing of
the wealth for a few at the expense of majority.

Respect that was earned over decades has begun to vanish.

I am still an American.

I am still proud.

And, I still harbor hope we will again have men and women who will lead our
great republic back to its place in history as a nation “of the people, for
the people and by the people”. A nation that leads by example and not by the
arrogance of power.

What if ? ? ?

We've all played the "what if" game throughout our lives. Watching the news of the globe unfold this past week I couldn't help but wonder what if in many current scenarios.

In Chile this week the world watched as 33 men were winched to the surface in an unprecedented rescue effort. The success was the result of international cooperation on a scale never witnessed before. Chile's president, Sebastian Pinera, said last night his country's successful rescue operation had given a good example to the world of "commitment, courage, faith, hope and unity."

But, "what if" he had listened to some of his advisers who had told him not to do the things he did. The outcome may not have been as joyous. We'll never know.

With the mid-term elections looming in just two weeks, "what if" every registered voter went to the polls and voiced their opinion with a ballot? That would be a true election of the people not just by a minority of the electorate. 

In these harsh economic times, "what if" the first budget cuts were not from the very areas the money is needed most such as education, public safety, assistance to the poor and elderly. Rather they came from bloated projects that could well be put on hold. Such projects might include signage that could weather another year or two or new furniture for government offices.

In the private sector the "what if" game could continue. "What if" companies increased their advertising budget to steer more people towards their products and services rather than cut this expense first and cut in other areas that may be unpopular such as corporate hotel and car rental expenses? Instead of booking rooms at a four-star hotel downgrade to a less expensive property, or rent an economy car instead of a mid-size one.

The list could go on and on. Such as listening to members of the military when they say a particular weapons system is not needed instead of listening to the members of Congress pandering for votes and spending the unneeded money.

It's true we live in a world where political correctness seems to be the rule. And, many are content to simply shrug their shoulders and let others speak and act for them.

In this One Person's View, I can't help but wonder "what if" we were all pro-active and worked to make our world a better place? To use the example of Chile's disaster and success and make our priorities unselfishly human instead of feeding ego and greed.

Send Washington a Gift

Just a few minutes ago I was scanning the headlines and was struck by one in particular. It read: "No call for Social Security increase in 2011."

According to the inflation measures adopted by Congress nearly 40 years ago, there will be no cost of living adjustment (COLA). The reason, they say, is the rate of inflation does not match the criteria. It doesn't matter many seniors rely solely on Social Security for their entire income. Or, many whose savings, if they have any, and home values have yet to recover from the financial collapse.

They have not had a raise since January, 2009 and apparently will not receive one until January, 2012. One member of Congress observed recently: "Costs of living are inevitably going up, regardless of what that formula says." He went on to note that seniors have such items as uncovered drug costs and utility increases and they are on fixed incomes.

In this election year it might surprise a few people at just how angry voters may become and, it may translate at the polls. 

My suggestion is a simple one and the cost would be minimal to send our lawmakers a message. We can send them a gift. For less than $5 and the cost of postage go to your local store and purchase a jar of Vaseline then mail it to your representative or senator or both.

In this One Person's View, if we're going to get screwed at least have the decency to try to make it painless!

A Two-Edged Sword

This week the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Snyder v. Phelps. It is a case regarding the First Amendment of our Constitution. And it goes to the very core of Constitutional law.

"Congress shall make no law regarding the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Fred Phelps, founder of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, seemingly has made it his personal crusade to disrupt military funerals. To blatantly disregard the sacrifice, dignity and honor of our troops, their families and the very fabric that, for generations, has laid down their lives for the very right he claims ... freedom of speech.

In March, 2006, Albert Snyder was doing what no parent should ever have to do ... burying his son. Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder died in Iraq. As the flag-draped coffin was being escorted to Lance Corporal Snyder's final resting place members of this so-called church, traveled a thousand miles to be at the funeral and exercise their interpretation of freedom of speech.

They did it by carrying such signs as: "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" and "Thank God for IEDs".

The physical and mental trauma this young marine's family were subjected to can only be imagined.

A jury found the church liable for intentional affliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy and civil conspiracy. However, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the verdict ruling the First Amendment protected Westboro's speech.

As a combat veteran I cannot be objective in this case. The argument is made that not upholding the appeals court's decision may lead to a curtailment of this very right to include the reporting of news and freedom of the press. Yet, is there a line to be drawn?

In the past I have escorted friends, fellow soldiers, from the battlefield to their final resting place. There are no words that can describe the emotions, the sadness and the absolute solemnity of this task.

Ask anyone who has been in combat and they will tell you they abhor violence. Ask anyone who has ever worn the uniform of our military services if they would desecrate the service of a brother or sister in arms and they will probably respond they would choose death before dishonor.

I do not advocate violence. But in this One Person's View I can't help but think if this group of extremists "thank God for IEDs" then perhaps He should line their walkway with a few so they can tell Him in person.

Ignorance is Bliss

This morning ABC News aired a special edition of This Week with Christiane Amanpour. It was billed as a Town Hall Meeting. Among the participants were members of various faiths and views from moderate to conservative. In an attempt to maintain balance of the conversation there was also objectivity injected from noted professionals such as a former F.B.I. terrorism expert.

The topic was headlined as: "Holy War, Should Americans Fear Islam?"

In the past One Person's Views has offered thoughts and opinions addressing both the similarities and the differences of various religions and cultures. Many of my writings may not be politically correct, for which I offer no apology, but I do hope they will invoke discussion and give one cause to think.

After watching this program I was reminded of a couple of events. And, like many thinking individuals it seemed one thought led to another. Here are a few of those thoughts.

Sitting with a half a dozen or so people a few weeks ago the topic was religion. Those who read my blog on a regular basis know I am no fan of organized religion. Consequently, I probably did not score high with my comments during this discussion.

One individual made a remark condemning the Muslim faith and all those who ascribe to that belief. I simply asked if he had ever read the Quran and the response was: "No! I don't need to." I pushed a little more and inquired if he knew any Muslims to which he responded: "Hell no, why would I want to?"

At that point I couldn't help but alienate him even more by informing him I had read that book, although admittedly not from cover to cover. The same is true regarding the Bible and the Talmud. I consider them all best sellers and fiction. And, I have been to Afghanistan where the root of extremist beliefs can be found.

In a conversation about what we had just watched, my wife asked me if I could remember seeing any Muslims portrayed in T.V. commercials. I could not. We routinely see all other demographics Perhaps, a subconscious way of saying they are not yet totally considered part of the fabric of America.

How long ago was it when there were no Afro-Americans or blacks depicted in commercials?

America has consistently gone through growing pains. And, various groups, both religious and ethnic, have been targets of discrimination for one reason or another. I can recall when some hotels and country clubs would not admit nor cater to not just blacks but Jews and Catholics too.

They were considered different from "mainstream" America. Much of what "mainstream" America believed was formed because of the radical fringes of these groups. And yes, of ignorance. Today they are embraced as part of our culture. We, as a people, have become more educated yet, we still have a long way to go.

Oh! And what about the assumption by many that folks with certain physical disabilities are also stupid? Physical impairment does not mean there is also a mental impairment. The mind is capable of functioning at a great level even when the physical body can't.

For thousands of years it appears the human race has always feared what it does not understand. Conversely, as understanding grew and we became more knowledgeable those fears were overcome. Education does not just consist of what we learn in school. It continues throughout our lifetime.

The old adage: "Ignorance is bliss" would be better if it were rephrased to say: "Bliss is being educated."