Posted on 08/03/2004 9:24:18 AM PDT by glaseatr
Sorry for the vanity post, but I had too.
I read a letter to my local paper this morning and had to respond to this..hem fine American
His letter.
As we approach the anniversary of 9/11. I'm afraid we shall reach another 9/11 before that date.
911 of our finest young men and women will have died in Iraq, and more than 5,000 have been wounded.
They might not be related to you, but they are like sons and daughters to me.
No matter what yourpolitical beliefs are, they must know they have all suffered and died without just cause.
Could you look their mothers in the eye and say otherwise?
I ask that you think of this when you vote in November.
Here's what I wrote in response.
John Whalen asked a question in his letter, Unjust war in Iraq. Printed Aug 3, 2004. The question Mr. Whalen asks is "Could you look their mothers in the eye and say otherwise?" Referring to his notion that "you must know they have all suffered and died without just cause."
What makes this cause just? Several things come to mind. The fact that from the end of the first gulf war our pilots were being shot at almost daily. The fact that sadam gassed the Kurds killing several thousand people, women and children were hardest hit. The fact that Sadam never fully complied with any United Nations resolutions. The fact that we lost almost 3,000 Americans in just a few hours. And I can go on and on.
To answer Mr. Whalen question, can I look a mother in the eyes. My answer is. I already have. I have had to look a wife, mother, father, brother, aunts, uncles, and dear friends in the eyes and tell them that Adam did not die in vain. That I believe our cause is just, that we will win the day.
You see Mr. Whalen, Adam was my nephew. He was killed on April 29th of this year in Iraq when his Hummer was hit with an RPG. Adam died doing what honorable men do, defending people who can't defend themselves.
Our family's thoughts are always on Iraq. Not because of Adam, because he's home. But because of our other family member still serving in Iraq, My nephew Chris. And dear friends who are getting ready to deploy for the first time, and one very special young man, Pete Southerland.
Pete was wounded during a battle on April 3, 2004. During the battle my nephew took actions that saved his and several others lives. Pete will be going back to Iraq on the 19th of this month to be with his unit. Here is a honorable young man who having been wounded still knows our cause is just, and we will win the day.
Mr. Whalen, it is actions like these, by honorable young men and women that make it possible for people like you to ask questions, or make insane comments. Think of this when you vote in November. If the young men and women who are doing the heavy lifting think the cause is just, wouldn't they know best?
Dave Stacy
Proud Uncle of SGT. Adam Estep and SP4 Christopher Estep.
Brentwood.
I suppose to people there, you're out of the ordinary. (Thank Goodness)
This is an important battle we're fighting. Obviously, too complex for that guy's brain to comprehend.
Condolences on your loss.
He has drunk the Kool-Aid. It is too late for him.
God bless you and your family. Please tell Chris and Pete that we are grateful for their sacrifice to defend us. I will pray for their protection and minimal hardships.
God bless Adam, too. May he rest in the arms of Jesus.
Freeper goes sane!
Hmmm, that doesn't sound quite right...;^)
Great letter!
Excellent response! Adam would be proud.
Please provide a way to contact this idiot so we can make sure he is incapable of reproducing!
Noted.
Ping.
I'm so sorry about Adam. I'll be praying that the angels guard and keep Christopher safe.
Thank you for the wonderful letter.
Agreed. I am sorry for your loss glaseatr and if anyone wants to tell me my nephews are wearing the uniform for nothing, I will lose control. Neither of them are in theater right now but that can change.
God Bless you and Thank God for our Brave Men and Women in Uniform.
Well done. On behalf of our family to yours, I thank your nephew's for serving in the military so that my daughter and her children will live in a safer world. And we are very sorry for your loss.
But what you said really speaks volumes.
I am reminded of Michael Moore's enquiring of politicians and journalists like Bill O'Reilly, "Would you send your children to war?" He does not seem to understand the "children" are not drafted. They join voluntarily. They know what the military is for, and it's not for funding a college education.
Fortunately, the cowards, few and far between, have shown themselves. And so have the heroes, like dear Adam.
I salute him and everyone who has served and paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.
thanks for the ping, timpad
well stated, glaseatr
Well stated and a great vanity.
I don't think there is anything "Nuts" about this -- I was expecting an Opus.
Please pass along my condolensces and thanks to your entire family for Adam's sacrifice and Pete's service. My prayers are with all of you.
*nodding*
A 10?
How dare this woman portray our soldiers as mindless idiots. My son is on active duty and he knows exactly what he's doing and why.
Magnificent.
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