Soldiers are committed to our mission in Iraq [Iraqi Veteran & Silver Star Recipient Slams Murtha]

Buffalo News ^ | December 13, 2005 | DAVID BELLAVIA

[West Coast Conservative]

David Bellavia, of Batavia, earned the Silver Star in Iraq and has been recommended for the Medal of Honor.

As the debris continues to settle from the explosion detonated by the defeatist comments by Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., I wonder how he expected his statements to be perceived. As an infantryman whose boots are still caked with blood and dust from Iraq, I am beyond confused by the insistence by Democratic Reps. Nancy Pelosi and Louise Slaughter that he preserve his title as a combat visionary. As rancor and hyperbole peak, we continue to be fed bastardized statistics and a complete denial that Iraq, according to al-Qaida intercepts, is indeed the front line in the war on terror.

When then-President Bill Clinton sent 15,000 troops into post-hostile Bosnia to get the job done, it was the equivalent of keeping 585,000 troops in Iraq post-invasion, when equating terrain and population. Tellingly, the silence from the left is deafening. To the leftists in America, Clinton understood war like no other: Pull out when the blood starts to flow (Somalia) and overcommit when there is no chance of loss (Kosovo and Bosnia).

I am no John Zogby, but I conclude 100 percent of Iraqis want us out - eventually. They very much want us there while Islamo-fascists continue to blow them up as they worship and apply to serve the cause of freedom. My peers are not appreciative of the elitists, like Sens. Ted Kennedy and John Kerry, who daily attempt to uncover mistakes made by this administration while my brothers under fire bleed to death thousands of miles from home.

Iraqi veterans are without apologies for not finding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Former administrations ignored the danger present in this region for years, and we in the trenches now pay the price for our past inability to confront our enemies. Each day, the enemy hopes that one more 10-plus death toll inflicted against the coalition via a roadside bomb will be the last straw of the American collective will.

Make no mistake. This is a middle- to lower-class war, fought by volunteers of the greatest generation of American warriors ever born. I have written more than 47 recommendations for Bronze Star valor awards for the members of my 34-man infantry platoon. That award, alarmingly, is growing more and more common during this fight. And yet my peers cannot use their awards as a platform to defend their noble struggle, because they are still deep in the fight.

Neither Murtha, who wears his Bronze Star as his badge of authority, nor any other congressional representative has held a position in a skirmish line under fire in Iraq, yet they pontificate to the masses from "their war" experience. Not one has borne witness to the extreme close-quarter nature of this fight or commented on the tearful thanks from a deserving and proud people who need us to stay the course.

Yet Murtha has the extreme audacity to call my peers "broken." Funny how a man like Murtha, who made his career on detailing his heroism under fire, is the first to chip away at my generation's valor.

Each day, the Iraqi war veteran grows closer to the embarrassing disrespect of the Vietnam warrior. Each day, legislators like Murtha move us closer to losing a winnable war and abandoning a worthy ally. Staying the course isn't a campaign slogan; it is a life support message to my peers. Like Vietnam, the American soldier cannot be defeated on the field of battle, only by the failure of the political class to stomach the hardships of combat.

[Just A Nobody]

He is 30 years old. Plus his experience in Iraq has probably given him an additional 5-10 years of wisdom.

[olde north church]

Conspicous by it's absence is the suggestion this young man run against Hellary for the NY US Senate seat. There shouldn't be any debates, she's not fit to bear his shoes.

[Landry Fan]

He writes well. Wonderful job.

[WalterSkinner]

American hero bump!

[Road Warrior ‘04]

WOW! What an article! I've emailed it as it appeared in the Buffalo News to nearly all on my email list, including all my liberal, anti-war, anti-Bush, anti-American friends! I might even go on to DU and post it!

[devolve]

[Pepper777]

"The Democrat party with Murtha in the lead are working for failure and hoping this pays benefits at the polls. They are placing their party above their nation. May they be damned!"

Very well stated.

[mark502inf]

David Bellavia is a former Army Staff Sergeant who served in the First Infantry Division for six years. He has been recommended for the Medal of Honor by his leadership, and has been nominated for the Distinguished Service Cross. He has received the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Conspicuous Service Cross (New York states highest combat valor award) and was recently inducted into the New York State Veteran’s Hall of Fame. His Task Force 2-2 Infantry has fought on such battlefields as Al Muqdadiyah, An Najaf, Al Fallujah, Mosul, and Baqubah. His actions in Fallujah, Iraq were documented in the November 22, 2004 cover story “Into the Hot Zone” by award winning journalist Michael Ware. He is 30 years old.

[911angelady]

Can we start handing out new medals,like "the oldest traitor" medal, or "the drunkest traitor"medal, or "the best hairdo traitor" medal, or the "best sex" traitor award?? I will MC the awards...

[Palladin]

Great article by this valorous young man.

Murtha is using a cheap propaganda technique by throwing up his service of forty years ago to act as an expert on the current war.

Old soldiers never die--they just fade away. It's time for Murtha to fade away and zip his lip.

[ArmyTeach]

He is 30 years old. Plus his experience in Iraq has probably given him an additional 5-10 years of wisdom. Anyone know him? Give him my salute.

[prognostigaator]

^

[Rembrandt]

"John Kerry et al say that we cannot question Rep. Murtha on the War in Iraq because he was a War Hero. I was 14 years old in 1971 and I called people like Rep. Murtha "War Heroes" back then. What did John Kerry et al call him back then?"

John F'n called back over his shoulder, "I'm gettin' the hell out of here!"

[911angelady]

I'm sorry, I'm not in the Christmas spirit, I should be more "Christ like". But,{but...}with incredible heroes like David Bellavia, why do we even hear about Murtha, or the "John Kerrys" of the world? God bless David, and all of our soldiers and true patriots...

[de Buillion]

"Thank you for sending this out. I am sending it to everyone on my email distribution lists. "

I agree, and I did the same before I got to your reply. God bless GWB, all of our troops, and David Bellavia.

[de Buillion]

"If this gets picked up by the MSM it will leave a mark. "

"This" got picked up by Free Republic. It HAS left a significant mark.

[cookcounty]

What are the chances this articulate vet will be invited on the networks news?

ZERO -----he doesn't pass their ideological pre-test.

[jim-x]

hero ping

[dalight]

For every Hackett they have, we have 10 guys like Bellavia. Makes your proud. Thats the answer as races get put together this spring.

[3D-JOY]

thanks for the chance to read this inspiring message!