Posted on 05/22/2004 4:27:58 AM PDT by KKing
Have you heard of Paul Smith?
After coming under heavy enemy fire in Iraq, he helped to evacuate wounded soldiers out of harm’s way, without regard for his own safety. Sergeant First Class Paul Smith then jumped into an M-113 armored personnel carrier, maneuvered it to the center of a walled courtyard, and climbed into the commander’s hatch to man its .50-caliber machine gun. Under heavy hostile fire from automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades, the incoming rounds and shards shredded his flak jacket, tearing it into pieces. Steadfastly, he continued to hold off a counterattack, permitting his comrades to move several wounded Americans out of the area, until a bullet to the throat finally snatched away his life. He died violently — on a dusty day, in a dusty courtyard, in a dusty town, bearing a name most of us can’t even pronounce. He left us as a hero, as have so many thousands of American soldiers before him; wrapped in the persona of the American flag. He did what his country asked him to do, without question, without complaint, without remorse… This event probably didn’t even make the news, except in his hometown. The story has little “reader appeal.” But what is making the news, ad nauseum , are the twisted exploits of a handful of uniquely despicable soldiers once assigned to the Abu Ghraib Prison in Baghdad. The press has ensured that we are on a first name basis with each of these degenerates. The American press elects to focus on the comments of people such as the Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy, who has announced to his fellow countrymen that the United States has now replaced Sadaam as the region’s harbinger of terror and torture. The United States? Tell Paul Smith’s family that he was a terrorist, Senator Kennedy. SFC Smith’s surviving relatives will tearfully receive his posthumous medals in a solemn ceremony on United States soil. And many will call him a hero, even if some of our elected representatives will not. But be assured, Mr. Kennedy, that no one will ever be able to accuse SFC Paul R. Smith of being an over-stuffed, self-serving, hypocritical dinosaur. The American press spends far too much time mired in the shallow depths of adversity and misfortune under the guise of objective reporting. I grew up believing that the role of the press was to inform, not sway; to enlighten, not depress; to report, not deride. Consequently, the American public has bred to thirst for the misfortune of others and the exploits of misfits who lack sufficient social intelligence to contribute meaningfully to any endeavor. To characterize the American soldier as a terrorist or torturer is as repulsively unpatriotic as it would be to characterize Ted Kennedy as representing the best interests of the Armed Forces of the United States. Thank God, that there are far more Paul Smiths in the United States of America than there are Ted Kennedys. Ben Riesz is a contract employee currently living and working in Kuwait.
by Ben Reisz Guest Columnist
Thank you Paul Smith for giving the greatest sacrifice for our country. Prayers for the family.
Speaking of...did you see that picture of Ted on Fox the other night? Man, decades of serving the Beast have sure taken a toll on him. He looks like Beelzebub decided not to wait until after death to begin getting some of what is owed. LOL. Scratch can have him.
Thanks SFC Smith, A salute to you for your service to your fellow man. God Bless
My daughter is home for a week to visit. She clearly has only heard bad things about Iraq over time as she works very hard and doesn't get a chance to see much news. What she does see (and I think this is fairly typical) are bits and pieces of news reports as she walks by a TV or radio. As we all know, most of these "bits" are spewed out by the liberal media which is trying to replace a president. Paul Smith's story, and many others like it are starting to come fast and furious from frustrated soldiers who know WHAT'S REALLY HAPPENING.
I'll work on my daughter :) ... you folks bringing positive stories out into the daylight...keep up this VERY IMPORTANT WORK!!! Bush/Cheney 2004
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends".
Though others people receive medals for acts never performed and bravery never attained , this man is representitive of "hero", the type of man all of us aspire to be in our hearts. Many of these brave men lie in graves around the world, many unmarked and unknown of. I pray the Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on his soul.
Sometimes I wonder if this nation even deserves men like Paul Smith fighting for it. We pay more attention to photos of Arabs with panties on their heads and this is the first time I have heard of Paul Smith's sacrifice. Shame on us all.
God bless Paul and his family.
May I live long enough to see Kennedy and his ilk drown in the backseat of history.
Paul Smith will live on in the hearts of country men and women like us. God Bless him and the prayers for his family are incoming.
A most heartfelt thank you to Mr. Ben Reisz, for writing this.
Thanks for finding and posting this KKing.
The American people do not crave that type of slanted news. The minority leftist media tries to cram it down our throats, hoping to influence those of us too lazy to seek truth.
and I'll thank my sister. She is a good friend of Ben's and sent me the article.
I couldn't think of a better place to share it then here.
I don't know who will explode first...
Teddy or Moore?
I don't know who will explode first...
Teddy or Moore?
Thank you and may God bless you and keep you Paul Smith and give Peace to those you leave.
Imagine if there were far more Paul Smiths in Congress than there were Ted Kennedys.
Paul Smith has been put in for the CMH by his superiors for his selfless sacrifice. It appears that he will recieve this honor.
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