Agenda-Driven Media Responsible For Giving Soldier False Impression Nation Does Not Support Troops

RFFM.org ^ | November 4, 2006 | Daniel T. Zanoza

[Daniel T. Zanoza]

One of my saddest experiences working in the field of journalism occurred just a few short weeks ago. At that time, I had the opportunity to read a letter sent back home from an American soldier in Afghanistan.

During fifteen years of writing, I have delved into some unbelievably terrible stories, including the murder of entire families. In my life, I have come across individuals who have surrendered to their innermost dark side and reveled in the idea of doing so.

I have written about tragedies of the human spirit which would shake the mettle of the strongest among us. Yet when I read a letter from a soldier, who I will simply refer to as Josh, my heart sank; he is now serving his third tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Josh was sending an e-mail to a friend. Yet, unconsciously, I think he was sending a message to us all. Thankfully, this person was a good friend who cared enough about Josh and other servicemen to anonymously share his letter with the rest of us. His letter told of the perceived abandonment Josh and his fellow comrades in arms are feeling concerning their countrymen back home.

Josh believes he and his fellow soldiers, in a way, have been abandoned by us--the American people--when he writes, "If I were to go home to the United States and pick one random person and say that I just returned home from fighting a war in Afghanistan, what do you think their reaction would be? I am willing to bet their reaction would be something like this: 'We still have soldiers in Afghanistan?'"

I was taken aback by the letter--which we must remember was not meant for my eyes or anyone's else--other than his friend. However, somehow the letter prompted me to do something. I needed to let Josh know he was wrong. There is still tremendous support for him and his mission in Afghanistan. For that matter, I also believe Americans fervently stand by the men and women fighting in Iraq as well.

Many may be intentionally or unintentionally confusing support for the troops with support for the politics behind the mission. These are two distinctly different issues that are inexorably linked together. Sadly, it seems many of our fighting men and women may not be drawing a distinction between the two and, quite honestly, who could blame them? That is why I question those who say, "I support the troops, but I don't support the war." The perception this support has somehow waned is mostly due to an agenda driven by the dominant media.

Millions upon millions of Americans think about Josh and his fellow defenders of democracy every day. Across the nation, candles are lit in churches every morning for Josh and his cohorts. Multitudes begin each day with prayers for Josh's brothers and sisters who are in harms way, asking God to protect them and give peace of mind to their families. Hundreds of groups, some very large, others small, like Operation Care Package, do their best to let our Marines, sailors, soldiers and airmen know we care deeply about them and that we desire they return home safely. Volunteers, like Tina McCarty of Operation Care Packages [http://www.operationcarepackages.org/index.html] out of Tennessee, spend countless hours putting together, addressing and mailing parcels and providing other services which are meant to lift the spirits of our servicemen and women and her actions are repeated across the nation daily.

But Josh touches the heart of everyone when he writes, "In a span of 3 days, I saw 4 soldiers fight, and lose their lives in combat. A lot of people like to say that they were fighting for their country. While I agree with that, there is also more to it than that. People always seem to overlook the rest of that statement. These soldiers died so that their brothers next to them could live. At the time of their deaths they were not thinking that they are helping a nation fight terrorism, rather they died knowing that they were protecting the rest of us who fought beside them."

No one can understand the awful nature of war, except those who have experienced combat themselves. However, I do not believe Josh was being critical of those of us who haven't walked in his shoes. You can truly sense Josh understands these are the realities of war, the price our nation has paid for liberty over many generations.

Josh doesn't want Americans to experience his horror, but he does think the country needs to know more about the men and women who are paying the ultimate price in the defense of liberty.

Sadly, the mainstream media has used Josh and the dying comrades he talks about as convenient statistics to bolster one side of a political battle.

Critics proclaim, "I support our troops, but I don't support the war." No matter how one feels about the wars in Afghanistan or Iraq, again, this is an impossible position to make legitimate. In essence, as our troop's blood runs into the desert's sands, in actuality this statement says, "I support you, but I don't support what you are doing." If this sounds like honest dissent, perhaps it is. If this also sounds like double-talk sprinkled with madness, you are closer to the mark. However, this is what Josh and 20,000 other American troops in Afghanistan are hearing.

Also, there has been little or no effort by the media to elaborate on the fruits of the labor of servicemen and women like Josh.

Today boys and girls sit in Kabul, Afghanistan classrooms, learning and laughing--like children should. Today some Afghani women attend institutions of higher learning when, just a few years ago, even thoughts about participating in such activities might have brought about sudden imprisonment or death. Truly, today a nation and its proud people celebrate their freedom--though it might be incomplete or flawed--in the eyes of some in the West.

When talking about being forgotten, I think Josh is referring to the positive things (like those I just mentioned) and the media's reluctance to report on them. Josh is also thinking about the smiles he sees on children's faces, not the horror he saw in his friend's eyes before his death. But Josh's recollection of these things is now a part of who he is, the same way the texture of the sand on the beaches of Normandy will be forever remembered by those who clung to those precious grains of sand for life, a little over 60 years ago; the same way the mind-numbing cold will always be with the Marines who fought and survived the battle of the Chosen Reservoir on the Korean peninsula; and the men who will never forget the sights, smells and sounds of Viet Nam when they fought to defend Kaison during the Tet offensive in 1968. These were, and are, the horrors of war.

But the school children I spoke of in this essay and Josh's role to enable them to learn are also stories that need to be told and remembered. Most important, Josh needs to know most Americans marvel at his bravery. They see him as an example of America's best. Contrary to the beliefs of some, they do not see Josh and his band of brothers as wasted pawns being used in political gamesmanship. Only the most cynical among us can look at Josh and his comrades in that manner.

Josh, you are not alone. Josh, you are not forgotten. Americans long for you to understand they see you as a hero. They see men and women, like yourself, as the best our country has to offer, contrary to some politicians who, sadly, see you as something far less. Josh, you and your brethren inhabit a special place in the hearts and minds of true Americans who do not look to one's political affiliation before giving you their unqualified and unwavering support.

******

EDITOR'S NOTE:

RFFM.org will soon post information for those who are interested in doing everything from sending a care package to simply forwarding individual e-mails or letters to serviceman or woman in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Further info can be obtained by contacting the Pentagon at (703) 545-6700.

[Thrownatbirth]

Josh seems to have a lot of time on his hands. Who's his CO?