I cannot count the number of times I have said or thought, "I could just kill him!" I've never actually meant that I would kill whomever this person was I was referring to, but I think we've all had this thought.
We've all met someone in our lives that we've wished, well, weren't in our lives... As much as you hate to have the un-Christian thought, you wish they'd mysteriously disappear, or mysteriously harm a particular sensitive body part. This person could be an obnoxious coworker, an abusive family member, or even a terrorist...
The media and military community are currently up in arms about four Marines seen peeing on Taliban members in Afghanistan. I agree this conduct is certainly unbecoming of a Marine, or any other military member, and it certainly does not help our relations with Afghanistan. But, before we condemn these soldiers as scum, let's get off our high horses for a moment and think...
In 2001, our world was turned upside down. Innocent, everyday Americans were attacked and killed. Since then, there have been roadside bombings, nuclear threats, and all the other not-so-joyous events that come along with going to war. Let's just say, it hasn't been too pleasant or friendly.
I am sure there have been times in the past where I have hurt someone else's feelings. God knows people have hurt mine. I'm sure there are times I have made people angry or annoyed. Again, God knows people have made me upset. Now I don't sit around thinking, "I'd love to piss on that person's head" but I will admit there are a few people on this planet - rapists, perpetual abusers, sadistic murderers - whose heads might deserve to be pissed on. It doesn't mean me, or anyone else, will do it. Most of us have that little voice in the back of our heads that tell us, "No, that's not nice, nor is it socially acceptable to do that." And, we listen to it.
But... Imagine you've seen several of your comrades killed. Imagine you've missed the first year of your child's life because you're in a hot, miserable, sandbox fighting a war that most people don't support anymore. Imagine coming face-to-face with some of the individuals whose sole purpose in life is to destroy yours. Would you piss on their heads?
Think about it.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Friday, November 11, 2011
Dear Veterans, Thank You.
"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
Every year, fresh-faced men and women take the military oath, swearing to defend our country in any way deemed necessary. Knowing their life will never be the same and knowing they may one day lose a friend or their own life, they bravely take the oath.
Today is Veterans Day. It's the one day a year where the majority of us say, "Thank You" to the strangers who have saved our lives, even though they may never be a part of our daily lives.
No matter how many years someone has served, no matter how many times someone has deployed, no matter what the work he/she does on a daily basis, to me, that person is a hero. From the Navy cook to the Air Force flight engineer to the Marine Corps machine gunner to the Army combat medic - they're all brave heroes.
It's the personal stories of our military men and women that can touch our hearts the most. In their honor, I'd like to highlight some of these generous and courageous men and women...
Master Sgt. Minne Hiller-Cousins - Minnie is a Family Assistance Coordinator in the Army National Guard. When soldiers deploy, her job is to take care of those soldiers families back home. She does everything from providing counseling to throwing baby showers. She volunteered to go to Iraq to simply tell her fellow soldiers their families were in good hands.
Cavalry Scout Phil Bauer - As his chopper was leaving Iraq to take him home for a few days of leave, it was attacked and he found himself buried amongst sixteen of his deceased comrades. After being in a coma, losing a leg, reliving the scars of his near-death experience, he had a total mental breakdown. After years of suffering from PTSD, he found his passion for life and was able to heal by giving back to other soldiers through the Wounded Warrior Project, East Coast Assistance Dogs, and the Mission Continues.
Pfc. Henry Svehla - A fallen soldier from the Korean War whose remains were never found, was given the Medal of Honor 59 years after he courageously threw himself on top of a grenade to save the lives of his fellow soldiers.
Iraq War Veteran, Bryan Anderson - Despite losing both his legs and one arm, Bryan is a true example of perseverance. He made a documentary highlighting organizations in Chicago that exemplify volunteerism, and continuously encourages other to help their communities.
Our veterans were not born with super powers. They were not born with a head start on the road to success. They were born as regular boys and girls who grew up and decided to take the ultimate risk and be a hero. And for that, I say, "Thank you."
Every year, fresh-faced men and women take the military oath, swearing to defend our country in any way deemed necessary. Knowing their life will never be the same and knowing they may one day lose a friend or their own life, they bravely take the oath.
Today is Veterans Day. It's the one day a year where the majority of us say, "Thank You" to the strangers who have saved our lives, even though they may never be a part of our daily lives.
No matter how many years someone has served, no matter how many times someone has deployed, no matter what the work he/she does on a daily basis, to me, that person is a hero. From the Navy cook to the Air Force flight engineer to the Marine Corps machine gunner to the Army combat medic - they're all brave heroes.
It's the personal stories of our military men and women that can touch our hearts the most. In their honor, I'd like to highlight some of these generous and courageous men and women...
Master Sgt. Minne Hiller-Cousins - Minnie is a Family Assistance Coordinator in the Army National Guard. When soldiers deploy, her job is to take care of those soldiers families back home. She does everything from providing counseling to throwing baby showers. She volunteered to go to Iraq to simply tell her fellow soldiers their families were in good hands.
Cavalry Scout Phil Bauer - As his chopper was leaving Iraq to take him home for a few days of leave, it was attacked and he found himself buried amongst sixteen of his deceased comrades. After being in a coma, losing a leg, reliving the scars of his near-death experience, he had a total mental breakdown. After years of suffering from PTSD, he found his passion for life and was able to heal by giving back to other soldiers through the Wounded Warrior Project, East Coast Assistance Dogs, and the Mission Continues.
Pfc. Henry Svehla - A fallen soldier from the Korean War whose remains were never found, was given the Medal of Honor 59 years after he courageously threw himself on top of a grenade to save the lives of his fellow soldiers.
Iraq War Veteran, Bryan Anderson - Despite losing both his legs and one arm, Bryan is a true example of perseverance. He made a documentary highlighting organizations in Chicago that exemplify volunteerism, and continuously encourages other to help their communities.
Our veterans were not born with super powers. They were not born with a head start on the road to success. They were born as regular boys and girls who grew up and decided to take the ultimate risk and be a hero. And for that, I say, "Thank you."
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