Two Vermonters Make Ultimate Sacrifice for Our Freedom (My Title)

The ultimate show of patriotism is putting one's life at risk then losing that life in defending America against its enemies. At this moment in the Middle East, and around the world, many Vermont patriots are in harm's way sacrificing on many levels to make safe our security and our freedoms. Sadly, two Vermonters, 21 year old USMC Cpl. Mark Evnin and 40 year old army petty officer Erik Halvorsen, just made the "ultimate sacrifice" for America. Mark and Erik died in combat against a brutal and ruthless Iraqi regime that posed a real threat to America's security and her vital interests.

Vermont has not experienced such a loss of her sons since the Vietnam War when several dozen Vermonters sacrificed their lives in South East Asia. In those days American soldiers were too frequently and unfairly characterized as "baby killers". But in spite of this grotesque characterization our fallen Vermont warriors were appropriately honored in Vermont's major and minor newspapers. Vermonters should never expect anything less from its free press. The press has a somber obligation, a duty of sorts, to give its best reporting of the lives of the fallen and to the public's farewell ceremony to them.

On April 15, however, there was a stark contrast, even disturbing, in how Vermont's two largest newspapers covered and paid tribute to South Burlington's Mark Evnin who the Burlington Free Press unabashedly called a "hero". The Burlington Free Press was stellar in its honoring Mark Evnin while the Rutland Herald fell flat on its face with offering a single and rather short write-up not worthy of Mark Evnin's great sacrifice. Furthermore, the Rutland Herald's coverage of our fallen "hero" failed to contain even one photograph of Mark, his family or any of the proceedings of the military funeral.

The Burlington Free Press certainly did a remarkable job in honoring Mark Evnin. First, It featured front page coverage of Mark's funeral with an enlarged color photo of the proceeding. The photograph showed Mark's greiving parents, Michael and Mindy Evnin, walking past a row of saluting Marine and Air Force personnel. Michael and Mindy were each holding a folded American flag as they were being followed by friends and family. This is a powerful image and will stay in one's mind and serve a reminder to be ever grateful for those who risk their lives, and gave their lives, in defense of our freedoms.

To its further credit the Free Press also featured on the front page a photograph of Mark in his Marine dress blues looking sharp, serious and determined. Other honorable, wonderful photographs of the farewell ceremonies completely filled page 5A giving the reader a real sense of the magnitude of the loss and the great respect that Corporal Mark Evnin is so deserving. Page 4A featured other photographs of Mark's high school friends accompanied by many touching comments by friends and family.

From reading the words of the three contributing Free Press staff writers, it was clear they had their heart into this story and they provided an accurate glimpse into the success of a good and decent life cut short in its prime. These writers remind us that we have all lost something special as Mark was special to all of those who knew him. Mark could have been the boy next door and we would have called him our friend. The write-up was written with the dignified and sensitive pens of John Briggs, Emily Stone and Matt Sutkoski who helped the reader grasp the endearing qualities and character of one of Vermont's fallen sons in America's war on terror. The Free Press presentation makes us understand that Mark rightfully deserves our deep respect and appreciation, and our moments of silent mourning.

In great contrast to this fine tribute was the Rutland Herald's AP report. The Rutland Herald news editors placed a rather brief and rather unfeeling AP report within the Obituary segment on page 5 of section B. The editors offered not one photograph of Mark, nor of his parents, nor of the funeral procession, nor any of the attending dignitaries including Governor Douglas, former Gov. Kunin or Lt. Governor Brian Dubie.

And what did the Herald's editors decide was more important to be printed on the paper's front page? On the page is one irreverant, attention grabbing photograph of a Marine strangle holding and yanking back the head of an innocent looking Arab citizen. My first impression of seeing this provocative photograph was the Muslim was choking at the hands of a muscular Marine, and perhaps the Arab man was a victim of "police" brutality. The Marine's strong arm was pulling back the head of the "accused" as the caption under the photo made clear the accused was not guilty of any crime but was a suspect.

The worse and most natural interpretation of this photograph, and perhaps the one intended to be evoked, are the tactics of the US military during the reconstruction phase are brutish and unwarranted, and could help turn Iraqis against its liberators. Such an inflammatory photograph can have an instant impact on one's assessment of the wisdom of "Iraqi Freedom" and the prospects of Iraqis creating a democratic society. In short, this photograph served to strengthen, or create, a negative attitude toward the war against Iraq as ordered by President Bush. Such an antiwar message seemed inappropriate in a time when a courageous Vermont citizen is buried and being honored for his service to all Americans.

Newspaper editors, all, should have been attentive on April 14 to find an appropriate front page presentation to pay tribute to Mark Evnin. Surely, most Vermonters reading this would agree that this politically provocative photograph on the front page of the Rutland Herald should have been replaced with photograph(s) similar to those found on the front page of the Burlington Free Press.

Apparently, the Rutland Herald editors had other more important topics to feature on page one than anything related to honoring Mark Evnin. Along with the muscular Marine mugging an innocent looking Muslim, the font page had two gloomy war related articles from the liberal leaning New York Times. This tells me something about the Herald's priorities in relation to honoring military service and Vermonters paying the "ultimate price." One of the NY Times lines on page one said, "Yet major questions remain, including the whereabouts of Saddam and any weapons of mass destruction and whether Iraqis can govern themselves . . " Not exactly the kind of words that celebrate a very successful effort to liberate Iraqis and ending a regime that threatens America and her vital interests in the Middle East.

The other New York Times article on page one played up the possibility of soon going to war against Syria as "Bush administrative officials" are accusing "Syria of harboring Iraqi leaders". To increase the reader's anxiety level the Times on page one reports that Colin Powell has "threatened Syria with economic and diplomatic sanctions" while adding that other Bush officials are accusing Syria of "amassing weapons of mass destruction".

The Herald would have done itself a favor if it had avoided such gloom and doom language so soon after America's resounding defeat of Saddam's sadistic brigades. Americans are for the most part celebrating the victory and that 8 POW's were successfully rescued from what most believed would have a very unhappy ending. Vermonters would have been much more impressed if the Rutland Herald had taken sensitive notice that a Vermont "hero" was buried and honored on April 14.

Vermont newspapers of the caliber of the Rutland Herald ought not be proud of its presentation of Mark Evnin, his service to his country and to the public's April 14 farewell to him. The Herald's editors and owners ought to give some serious reconsideration how in the future they will report and honor the sacrifices made by some of America's finest patriots - the men and women wearing an American military uniform. I suggest to the Rutland Herald folks that they take a lesson from the Burlington Free Press as this newspaper apparently understands, and honors, the lineage of great military sacrifice that allows it to exercise its free speech and free press rights.

God bless the families of these fallen heroes. Vermont may send three liberal wackos to Congress, but Vemonters have been fighting for our freedom since before they were a state.

Kudos to the Burlington Free Press for their dignified coverage of their native son, and shame on the Rutland Herald for preferring to push their leftist, anti-American agenda instead.

Salute!! USMC Cpl. Mark Evnin and Army Petty Officer Erik Halvorsen. The following poem is in their memory.. we must never forget the "very real" sacrifices" these men made. May God Bless their eternal souls, and may God comfort their family and friends.

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"I Got Your Back" (author unknown)

I am a small and precious child, my parent has been sent to fight... The only place I'll see their face, is in my dreams at night. They'll be gone too many days for my young mind to keep track. I may be sad, but I am proud.

"My parent's got your back.

We are caring Moms and Dads. Our child has gone to war... Our mind is filled with worries that we've never known before. Every day we try to keep our thoughts from turning black. We may be scared, but we are proud.

"Our child has got your back.

I am a strong and loving spouse, with a spouse who had to go. There are times I'm terrified in a way most never know. I bite my lip, and force a smile as I watch my loved one pack... My heart may break, but I am proud.

"My loved one's got your back...

I am a Military Person... Serving Proudly, standing tall. I fight for freedom, yours and mine by answering this call. I do my job while knowing the thanks it sometimes lacks. Say a prayer that I'll come home.

"It's me who's got your back.

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