White crosses will
be planted on campus this week to commemorate
the soldiers who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq.
By: Amie P. Fende
slideshow
Posted on 04/17/2006 7:46:46 PM PDT by fight_truth_decay
Yesterday, CSUN and other groups planted crosses across campus to commemorate each of the soldiers that have died in Afghanistan and Iraq. These crosses will remain in place until the end of the week. There will also be an opening ceremony on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
These crosses are a fitting reminder to students that thousands of their peers have died in the defense of our country. It is easy to forget the heroic sacrifices of these courageous citizens as we go about our daily lives. It is convenient to turn them into mere statistics as we become desensitized to the loss of life. It is difficult for us to fully grasp the impact of their passing on the lives of those who knew and loved them in communities all across the country. These dedicated individuals deserve much more than indifference from those they have given their lives to protect.
Each of us should honor their service by taking time to reflect on the lives that have been lost in defense of our freedom. We should listen to the stories of those who have returned and join with them to put pressure on our political leaders to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve. We should each send what we can to the various organizations that support our soldiers like The USO, the VFW and the American Legion.
We should also commit ourselves to unequivocally thanking our military personnel regardless of our own political affiliations. The graves of those that have fallen do not distinguish between liberals and conservatives. Appreciation for their sacrifice should not be based on whether we agree with the war their superiors sent them to fight. Honoring their commitment to our country and paying homage to the blood they shed on our behalf is not an issue of race, religion or politics. It is simply the patriotic duty of every American.
America's armed forces are made up of some of the finest men and women our nation has ever produced. They have each volunteered to put their lives on the line in defense of our country. They have agreed to sacrifice valuable years with their families and friends to serve something larger than themselves. Thousands have died fulfilling this pledge, many more have been seriously wounded and all who have tasted the terrifying sting of battle are perpetually haunted by the ghastly images of death. Upon their return, they do not receive the financial rewards reserved for corporate executives or the fame furnished to athletic heroes. They are not given the celebrity status of movie stars or the adulation handed to popular performers. The compensation they are granted often pales in comparison to the magnitude of their sacrifice, and many are forced to depend on intangible recompense as a reward for their service. It is to these brave men and women that we should devote our efforts, for they have given so much on our behalf and asked so little in return for defending us here at home.
How often do you come across editorials like this in a college newspaper by the editorial staff?
Bob Dole is also scheduled to lecture.
I'm sure some have been written but this is the first one I've seen. Good for them.
What is the motivation of those who are planting the crosses? Usually, its not good.
What do you know about this?
Las Vegas bump!
To support our soldiers is not good?
reasearch this paper and the UNLV campus and I think you might be less suspicious..
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