Posted on 08/18/2006 5:00:30 AM PDT by S0122017
Wounded IDF Soldier: "So I Lost a Leg; So What?"
By Hillel Fendel
Two soldiers wounded in Lebanon say they have nothing to complain about, they have no regrets that they were wounded protecting the country, and the media should stop concentrating on nonsense.
Sgt. Eran Perry, who lost his right leg above the knee, and Sgt. Evyatar Cohen, whose right hand is not functioning, spoke, bareheaded, from the hospital on Israel Television Thursday night. For those who thought that values were a thing of the past, the following is a rough translated transcript of what they told interviewer Katy Dor and was broadcast to the country:
Eran [Regarding alleged problems with food supply]: Look, there were some problems with food, but that's the way it is, it's war. You take some food and supplies, and then they bring some more in a Puma [an IDF-made armored combat vehicle], and then the Puma gets hit by an anti-tank missile. So what are you going to do? You can't complain or criticize; it's war.
Evyatar: At that moment, what you're thinking about is staying alive and about protecting each other. There are some who didn't eat all day just because they didn't feel like it, because of the fear or whatever. Food and things like that - they're just not things that you think about.
Eran: What you're thinking about is that you and your friends should come out alive. I'll tell you the truth: When I got hurt, the medics checked me, and I saw I was OK, without a leg - OK, but all I thought about was that I shouldn't get kidnapped [by Hizbullah], and that your friends who are busy at war shouldn't get killed. But instead, people here are worrying about total nonsense.
Evyatar: All they're worrying about is whether the Chief of Staff sold stocks or didn't sell stocks.
Eran: The newspaper today - the whole front page was about the Chief of Staff and his stocks. [Chuckling] - you're nodding, but it's your fault [plural] as well. But it's such nonsense. Here, look, I'm without a leg - considered a "moderate" wound; first I was "seriously wounded," and now it's considered "moderate" - a lot of good that does me - and yet in the newspaper there's a tiny little snippet saying there are 5moderately wounded and 12 seriously wounded - and at the same time, a whole entire page about the Chief of Staff.
Interviewer: What are you actually trying to say by this?
Eran: That people are worrying too much about things that are marginal... If you ask me, as I hear in your tone, whether I regret having lost my leg, of if I think it was for nothing - I say no, I don't think it was for nothing. I don't regret it for a second. It's not like there's some kind of [political debate] here... I would go out again to war with the knowledge that it could happen to me. This is a war that we didn't start, and it was very difficult and crappy, but I, and all my friends, went out with the clear knowledge that it's - it's either me and Evyatar here - or, well, if it's not us, then - this is what we're in the army for. This is how we protect the borders of the State of Israel. I can't cry or complain to anyone and worry that I might get wounded when Katyushas are falling at home and people are getting killed. I mean, I'm a soldier now, and I give my three years; what can I do that they happened to fall on this war? I mean there are reservists who are in the same situation. If it's not us, then no one else will...
As far as whether the war was handled correctly, or not correctly - what, every soldier in the middle of the battle will start giving his opinion on whether the Chief of Staff or the Northern Commander is doing it right or wrong, and whether we should take this village or go a different way? It can't work that way. ... Evyatar: The main thing is that we are alive, and therefore we have a lot to be grateful for; we now go forward. It's real nonsense - a hand, a leg, it's really not important. [In response to interviewer's raised eyebrows], yes, really nonsense.
Eran: Vanity of vanities, compared to people who lost their sons or their friends; total nonsense.
Evyatar: I mean, the bottom line is we're here!
Eran (chuckling): I'll have a prosthesis, and he'll learn to write with his left hand... No problem, I'll walk regularly; they told me that they have a prosthesis that I won't even limp [with] at all, and I hear that the Defense Ministry takes care of its wounded. I'm alive. And he'll learn to tie his shoes with his left hand, and it could be that his hand will even come back to normal -
Evyatar [smiling]: - with G'ds help -
Eran: I mean, people lost their friends, and their sons, and their husbands, and their fathers - so who are we at all to say anything...
He basically told them: "I'm lucky I'm alive and I'm glad I made the sacrifice I did. I'll deal with the injury and there are 3,000 dead people in NYC, PA and the Pentagon who would be happy to be where I am right now."
Eran:...But instead, people here are worrying about total nonsense.
Evyatar: All they're worrying about is whether the Chief of Staff sold stocks or didn't sell stocks.
SNIP
Eran: That people are worrying too much about things that are marginal... If you ask me, as I hear in your tone, whether I regret having lost my leg, of if I think it was for nothing - I say no, I don't think it was for nothing. I don't regret it for a second. It's not like there's some kind of [political debate] here...
Sure the media plays it's role, but in this case the soldiers sure put them shamefully in their place.
The newsman is asking wounded soldiers leading questions, hoping the soldiers will turn on their cause and resort to blaming others in their frustration. Kudos to the soldiers who pragmatically acknowledge their sacrifices but have clear perspective on the reason that they were made, without regret. These are strong men who deserve the utmost in respect and gratitude from those whom they protect.
Remarkable.
Israel is blessed to have men like this for citizens and soldiers.
Sounds like wisdom from King Solomon.
"Reminds of our military!"
Agreed. These heroes sound a lot like our American troops, who are the best people this country produces and give me cause for hope about our future.
Israeli heros ping! Olmert and his gang aren't worthy to lick the mud off the boots of these soldiers!
I concur as well. This could very easily be an interview at Walter Reed. The only glitch is that terrible leadership can cause alot of these brave men and women to perish because of sheer incompetence and lack of will. Our politicians during the Vietnam era come to mind. We had great soldiers, equipment, etc. but the troops were not allowed to win because of politicians.
(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo!)
Eran: The newspaper today - the whole front page was about the Chief of Staff and his stocks. [Chuckling] - you're nodding, but it's your fault [plural] as well... As far as whether the war was handled correctly, or not correctly - what, every soldier in the middle of the battle will start giving his opinion on whether the Chief of Staff or the Northern Commander is doing it right or wrong, and whether we should take this village or go a different way? It can't work that way.Bears repeating.
God Bless Israel.
These guys are heroes - all the more because they'd be the first ones to deny it, to call you crazy for even thinking it. According to their thinking - which used to be considered normal in this country and Israel, you have an obligation to contribute to the society that raises and supports you even to the point of losing your life to defend it and those individuals who cannot defend themselves.
We and Israel need many tens of thousands like them - people who don't whine and bellyache, who know of and live up to their responsibilities.
May G-d heal both of them quickly, giving them a recovery of body and of spirit.
G-d bless Israel and these fine men!
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G_d Bless Israel and these fine men, indeed.
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