Military

Retired Soldier: Iraq Troops Deserve Media Fairness

December 29, 2005 ⋅  E-Mail Article ⋅  Print Article ⋅ Post a comment

I was very appreciative to have recently read a letter from a Vietnam Vet, and that of his fellow Vietnam Vets, who support the current troops waging the war against terrorism. The letter described his feelings and emotions towards today’s soldier. I also found this soldiers opinion worthy of my time.

Though most Vietnam Vets received a dissimilar homecoming when they returned from war overseas, they hold no grudge towards the outpouring of emotion shown to current returning Vets.

Many retired soldiers are speaking out about fairness in reporting on the war in Iraq, lets hope our media is giving the soldiers fair treatment, they deserve it. Many feel partisan politics played a role on the reporting in Vietnam and there are growing concerns this is happening in Iraq.

Let’s hope that in the new year the soldiers will get their just due and the conflict they are involved in will become a resolved issue.

As the New Year approaches many individuals begin to think about their New Years resolutions. They decide on changes for their lives and lifestyles. However, this year it is important to remember the brave sacrifices of our men and woman providing protection to Americans throughout the world. While most of the attention in the war on terror is focused on Iraq, we must also remember the brave soldiers carrying the battle to the enemy in Afghanistan. Many also do not consider the support provided by our forces in Germany as well. There are also many men and woman supporting the war back here in the domestic Untied States.

As the New Year approaches I ask you to please take a moment and consider the armed service members who provide the very security you and your loved ones sleep under each night. These individuals do not go on strike, they do not seek to maximize profits, they are not looking for fame and fortune, they for one reason or another consider their service to America s payment enough and they make no big hoopla about completing their tasks.

There are no high fives in the battle zones, no funky-chicken dances in the mine fields, no chest-bumping in the triage. These brave men and woman consider their duty honorable and they gain gratification from that. There is no warming feeling than seeing the video of a soldier cracking a smile after he has just completed his mission. I consider this the most admirable trait of all. In a society of ‘look at me’, ‘I am the man’, ‘I want my contract renegotiated’, I consider these individuals the most redeeming thing of quality the world has to offer.

Just listen to the stories of men and woman that consider a drink of water the highlight of their day, they drive 100 miles a day at 15 miles an hour with a very high chance of getting shot at or blown up. Yet these individuals do not complain, they play on with sprains, broken bones, bruises, and they are not saying look at me, they just do their job and go back to their bunk.

So I ask you, take the time this year, consider these brave individuals, stop by a local armed services base, or nation guard location, thank them and ask what you can do for them. They sacrifice so much and ask for so little in return. Maybe this year, or in the year to come, you can show them the appreciation they deserve. They may not score 100 touchdowns, gain a 1000 yards, or hit 50 home runs, but without them, how much longer would any American be able to?
Troops deserve media fairness

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