Please take time to acknowledge our soldiers

[noamnety]

After being reminded a few times by botany to acknowledge the memorial threads (the ones that usually begin with #1783, #1784, etc), I started adding a line or two about them as a short blurb in the blog section of another (nonpolitical) forum I frequent.

I was doing it mainly as a reminder to other people on the site that while we are joking around or bickering, we should take a minute out to remember those who have been killed. Those posts in my blog never get comments.

Today, though, there was a new person that registered just to say thanks for acknowledging his friend, and his accomplishments, and he talked a little about what he was like. I really wasn't thinking, when I posted it, that it would mean something to their family and friends as well to have them be remembered.

I guess what I'm saying is botany is right, take time to read those threads and if you feel moved to, post something in them, or copy the post to your own blog, and help the families keep their memories alive in some way.

[noamnety]

1. This is really sad:

July 29, 2005
By SFC V.A.ANDERSON

My name is SFC Victor Anderson i was in charge of the patrol that day. We the six survivors of that day appreciate all the kind words. Those four guys were great soldiers and great men. If you have ever faced combat you know that it is the man to the left and right that you fight for.God bless George W. Bush the United States of America and the people of the great State Of Georgia
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/custom/blogs/guard/entries/2005/07/27/they_were_the_b.html


July 30, 2005
SFC Victor Anderson killed by hostile fire - IED attack

[Solly Mack]

2. I think of them everyday

and I burn

[KharmaTrain]

3. Help The Iraqi Veterans Groups

When some wingnut, Yellow Elephant dares to call me on "supporting the troops" (code word for sucking off meester booosh) I ask them how they're doing it? Stupid Yellow Magnet that's Made In China (I dig further by saying that really means supporting Chinese troops...that drives 'em goofy), flag lapels (also made in China) and other jingoistic crap? Then I pull out my latest donation to Gold Star Mothers and ask them where their donation is. Or, how about if they are donating time at a local VA hospital...or just visiting; finding a returned and mangled Iraqi war vet to embarace and make them feel their sacrafice wasn't wasted.

Each day more of our young men and women who served in the military are coming back into our society and are quickly tossed aside...mostly by those same yellow-ribbon assholes who gawk when they shoot their guns, but can't look when they're missing a limb or their brains are scrambled into anger and paranoia.

These people will need our help for the rest of their lives. They will surely be forgotten and face years of alienation. Should this ugly invasion turn even worse, then these people will feel the burden that they didn't "do the job"...and this will be implied by the wingnuts who will never assume responsibility themselves.

Nope, no political brownie points in this one...just the satisfaction you've done something that will matter for a veteran.