Saturday, October 14, 2006
Never forget the best of your generation........
None of you knew, and most of you will not remember Michael A Monsoor. I want you all to know him now and understand why. According to his obituary, he was a loyal friend, a quiet, dedicated professional. He always had something funny to say. He drew strength from family and faith. He came from a family of strong faith and strong commitment. Unfortunately, this is where his story ends, only if you forget him.
Michael A Monsoor represented the best of your generation. He was that guy that volunteered to do great violence for the sake of America, so that you can sleep soundly each and every night. He may have done it because he believed in it. He may have done it because he thought it was right. We may never know why he did it. His family may know why. Their privacy and grief should be respected.
Michael A Monsoor was only the second Navy SEAL to die in combat in Iraq. The Petty Officer was on a mission in a SEAL team of four when he was struck in the chest with a grenade that bounced off and fell in front of him. In the middle of his team, he went right down to the floor on top of the grenade without hesitation. He saved the lives of everyone on his team. He was 25.
Your generation must never forget that we have the luxury to comment and speak freely. You must use that power well, if only for the sake of the commitment of Michael A Monsoor. Each generation has had him standing committed to its ultimate defense. You must remember that our society still breeds the idea that people must die for our freedom. The slogan is 'Freedom is not Free'. You must exert your power and vote. That is the commitment to participate in your society, and the honor that you will pay Michael A Monsoor.
We can talk about right and wrong of laws, of foreign policy, of the military actions that our civilian leaders choose to take(and I do). None of these should take anything away from the commitment and the sacrifice which our military personel make in our name. If these guys come home from your generations stupid war, and you have not increased your voter turn out, and you have not welcomed them back with the esteem and reverence they deserve for their commitment and sacrifice, then you have not learned the mistakes of my generation. You will have just as hard a time healing the men in the SEAL team that Michael A Monsoor saved, as my generation did. We are still trying to heal the wounds of our generation. Always remember Michael A Monsoor.
Good luck,
Phillip Wister
http://la.indymedia.org/news/2006/10/181370_comment.php
Michael A Monsoor represented the best of your generation. He was that guy that volunteered to do great violence for the sake of America, so that you can sleep soundly each and every night. He may have done it because he believed in it. He may have done it because he thought it was right. We may never know why he did it. His family may know why. Their privacy and grief should be respected.
Michael A Monsoor was only the second Navy SEAL to die in combat in Iraq. The Petty Officer was on a mission in a SEAL team of four when he was struck in the chest with a grenade that bounced off and fell in front of him. In the middle of his team, he went right down to the floor on top of the grenade without hesitation. He saved the lives of everyone on his team. He was 25.
Your generation must never forget that we have the luxury to comment and speak freely. You must use that power well, if only for the sake of the commitment of Michael A Monsoor. Each generation has had him standing committed to its ultimate defense. You must remember that our society still breeds the idea that people must die for our freedom. The slogan is 'Freedom is not Free'. You must exert your power and vote. That is the commitment to participate in your society, and the honor that you will pay Michael A Monsoor.
We can talk about right and wrong of laws, of foreign policy, of the military actions that our civilian leaders choose to take(and I do). None of these should take anything away from the commitment and the sacrifice which our military personel make in our name. If these guys come home from your generations stupid war, and you have not increased your voter turn out, and you have not welcomed them back with the esteem and reverence they deserve for their commitment and sacrifice, then you have not learned the mistakes of my generation. You will have just as hard a time healing the men in the SEAL team that Michael A Monsoor saved, as my generation did. We are still trying to heal the wounds of our generation. Always remember Michael A Monsoor.
Good luck,
Phillip Wister
http://la.indymedia.org/news/2006/10/181370_comment.php
Comments:
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Excellent words on this heroically tragic story.
You hit the mark right on the head with your call to be involved and use your right to vote.
Regardless of what the politicians have wrought and regardless of ones views of it, our soldiers are to be honored for there commitment.
I was accused of disrespecting our soldiers when I protested the Vietnam war. I didn't understand why - it was the war I was against, not the soldiers. Many of my friends were over there and a few never came back.
I always supported them but not that war nor this one.
You hit the mark right on the head with your call to be involved and use your right to vote.
Regardless of what the politicians have wrought and regardless of ones views of it, our soldiers are to be honored for there commitment.
I was accused of disrespecting our soldiers when I protested the Vietnam war. I didn't understand why - it was the war I was against, not the soldiers. Many of my friends were over there and a few never came back.
I always supported them but not that war nor this one.
bluebear2 thanks for the comments. I have been against all wars since the English Civil War. I respect the commitment of people but remember, it has to be soldiers that prosecute these Wars. We have to change the culture.
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