Soldier’s story from the heart tells message of hope in Iraq

[Barrett808]

Soldier’s story from the heart tells message of hope in Iraq
By TONY MESSENGER
Published Sunday, September 11, 2005

Amid the nonstop media coverage of the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Katrina in our nation, it has almost become secondary that we’re in the middle of a war. While we work hour by hour to save lives on the Gulf Coast, men and women in our military are still dying every day in Iraq. I was reminded of that this week when I received a poignant letter from Maj. Mike Fayette.

The Columbia man is serving in Kirkuk with the Army Corps of Engineers. I first met him several years ago at a banquet in Jefferson City to honor two National Guard soldiers for exposing racism in the branch of their military service.

I heard from Fayette again a few weeks ago in response to my column about Marine Eric Fields. Fayette took issue with one of my statements. It would not necessarily dishonor troops who have died to pull out of battle, he says, because troops are not concerned with the decisions made by politicians. They fight to serve their country, and the decisions of politicians, good or bad, don’t dishonor any service the troops have made.

It was the kind of point a soldier had to make, and I appreciated it.

The note from Fayette was just a prelude to one I received this week that he is allowing me to share with you. It’s a note from the heart about his service in Iraq and one that truly gives the soldier’s perspective better than anything else I’ve read.

It’s not filtered by rose-colored glasses or faux patriotism. It’s not a rah-rah speech that decries media coverage, and it’s not the work of a disgruntled soldier. It’s a letter about the milestones of his service in a country many miles from home.

(more)

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2005/Sep/20050911Feat002.asp