Posted on 07/09/2009 3:53:20 AM PDT by Kaslin
I'm not a Michael Jackson hater. I liked his music, partly because it was part of my life as a young man. And I never judge people and their morals. Unless convicted by a court of law, it's really between them, the truth -- whatever that might be -- and their maker.
But as thousands of people filled a huge arena in Los Angeles this week, and millions more were glued to their television sets; as accolades unlimited were spoken about the late "King of Pop," my mind was on how seven other Americans might be honored. You see, on July 6, seven American troops were killed in Afghanistan, making it the deadliest day for our military there in nearly a year.
Their bodies would no doubt be shipped back to our nation in those standard military coffins. The American flags draping these simple containers would be the sole hope for added color, grandeur or beauty. The coffins would have no stately gold or magnificent silk to hold their precious remains.
It is likely that no lottery will be necessary to gain tickets to their respective funerals or memorial services. No one will offer up a thin dime on eBay or Craigslist to have the honor of being present when the soldiers' families and friends gather to remember their fallen loved ones. I doubt many celebrities will be present at any of these somber occasions. Rev. Al Sharpton will have moved on to his next gig.
I feel certain we will not see repeated special TV broadcasts about the acts of bravery and heroism these soldiers performed as they fought to keep our nation from having to again encounter firsthand an organization active in Afghanistan and Pakistan that would, if given the chance, act to topple another American building. "Entertainment Tonight" won't cover these deaths because, hey, they aren't entertaining.
I guess you get the picture.
I'm not here to put down those who were touched by and who grieved over the death of Jackson. It would be just as easy to name-call and dwell on Jackson's bad past experiences as it would be to remember his immense talent and the songs that were so much a part of my life as I was growing up.
What is tougher is to describe the lives of these seven brave Americans who were blown up -- murdered -- in a rough, cruel, terrible foreign land. We don't know anything about them. But in another way we do. We know what they symbolize.
They symbolize the very best of our nation. They symbolize honor, bravery and sacrifice. They represent greatness. They represent security for my family and me, and for yours and you.
For all we know, a few of the soldiers might have had rough patches in their own personal lives. Perhaps not. But just as we could be thrilled watching Michael Jackson doing his famed "Moonwalk," we sure as hell could take time out to notice these brave men and women who are doing what most of us never have or never would: fight and die for this country.
I am but one of hundreds of nationally syndicated columnists. In getting noticed by me there is no cachet of a Barbara Walters or a network anchor to imprint on the brief biographies of the fallen soldiers. But I can try to do them justice. So here, with my "ticket" in hand, I will mount my own platform and speak for the many who I know would join me.
Thank you to the fallen warriors. Thank you for dying for me and for every other American. Thank you to your families who knew you were in harm's way, performing heroic tasks that really mean something. Tasks that might decide in years to come whether passengers on some airplane, or workers in some high rise will live or die.
No, there will likely be no JumboTrons at the final services for these fallen soldiers. The last music that their loving families and friends will hear will be the simple melody of "Taps." And then the heroes' closest relatives will be handed that beautiful flag. It won't equal the gold and flowers for a king. But it will be all this nation can offer to heroes. If you ask me, I'd rather have the flag.
The article said — They symbolize the very best of our nation. They symbolize honor, bravery and sacrifice. They represent greatness. They represent security for my family and me, and for yours and you.
—
True, and it’s evident that many here (in our country) exhibit an up-side-down mentality as to what is important and worth recognizing in this society, unfortunately...
Yes, the music one listens to from the ages of about 14-24 is the music one “hears” for the rest of one’s life.
I am glad to hear someone saying this. Every single time I heard something about Michael Jackson, the sheer shallowness and idiocy of this man’s existence contrasted with the somber, real lives of those men lost serving their country.
Every single time. I could not escape it, and it made me both angry and sad every single time.
It was wonderful to read something about these soldiers. I noticed a report of their deaths on that day, and I felt very bad because I knew nobody would say anything about them or even notice them. Thanks Matt Towery for not letting them go unsung.
Prayers for these men and their families in this ungrateful nation.
Amen. Bump!
Not so fast Matt, here in Georgia, we know our priorities.
Watch this from Henry County, GA and get your tissues.
http://blip.tv/play/AYGJ5h6YgmE
And they will be treated with respect and dignity here in little Delaware, as their bodies are processed at Dover Air Force Base.
We see the transports coming in when we drive by, and I always wonder if someone’s son or daughter is on that one. There is the cost of freedom flying overhead.
All of a sudden the windshield gets a little fuzzy.
bttt
I received this in an email this morning
Subject: A Soldier’s Take On Michael Jackson’s Death
This is written by a young soldier serving his third tour of duty in Iraq. Thought you might find his take on the Michael Jackson news interesting and he’s right.
Okay, I need to rant.
I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villian to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn’t the point of my rant.
Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people, the Amercian people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood, and even Congress sees the need to hold a “moment of silence” for his passing?
Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he’s a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America. Where is their moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying “good riddence,” and “thank God for IEDs?” When did this country become so calloused to the sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a “Pop Icon?”
I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and freedom that WE,
those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.
Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Remember these five words the next time you think of someone
who is serving in the military;
“So that others may live...”
Isaac
The country's obsession with stardom, and celebrities, is nauseating. I stopped watching the MSM several years ago because all it is is celebrity worship.
I have had friends come home in the same pine boxes draped with the flag that those soldiers did, and your right the media was not around, not a mention on the TV. I live in an area of very high military population, and the stories still go mostly untold, but we can sleep well knowing what Jackson had for breakfast the morning he died.
Guen, good to “see” you here this morning.
Hope all is well in your corner of the world.
This is sad but true.
If it were another popular public figure the same thing would have taken place.
People that serve their country by giving their life will always take a backseat to famous people.
The only thing you can do is let people serving your country know they will never be forgotten.
They ARE the very best of our nation. But comparing them with MJ is like comparing apples and oranges. If you asked these solidiers, I’m sure they’d want to be mourned by their family and friends — in short, dignified ceremonies attended by the people who cared about them and vise versa. I doubt very much that they’d want the “Public” to mourn them except in the most abstract sense of having appreciated their sacrifice.
In contrast, MJ went out in a media orgy. The whole thing bordered on travesty with the worse yet to come (legal battles, tell-all books, movies, memorabilia, etc). Was there adulation—yes. Was it dignified—Heck no!! As far as I’m concerned, you can keep the people who are transfixed on MJ’s death. I value their opinion not at all.
Well said, shipmate.
" ... I swear to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. Against ALL enemies FORIGN, and DOMESTIC ..."
On a national level......all is not well.
Watching the video brought tears into my eyes. I passed the video on to my email list
Coverage of war deaths depends on the party of the commander-in-chief. Democrat - no coverage. Republican - obsessive coverage.
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