Posted on 09/19/2007 8:39:10 PM PDT by Barbarian6
Hope Rides Alone
USA Sgt. Eddie Jeffers, USA (Iraq) February 1, 2007
Editor's Note: This piece by Sgt. Eddie Jeffers, "Hope Rides Alone", was mentioned in a segment on Fox News Channel's O'Reilly Factor. Click here to listen to or download the segment.
I stare out into the darkness from my post, and I watch the city burn to the ground. I smell the familiar smells, I walk through the familiar rubble, and I look at the frightened faces that watch me pass down the streets of their neighborhoods. My nerves hardly rest; my hands are steady on a device that has been given to me from my government for the purpose of taking the lives of others.
I sweat, and I am tired. My back aches from the loads I carry. Young American boys look to me to direct them in a manner that will someday allow them to see their families again...and yet, I too, am just a boy....my age not but a few years more than that of the ones I lead. I am stressed, I am scared, and I am paranoid...because death is everywhere. It waits for me, it calls to me from around street corners and windows, and it is always there.
There are the demons that follow me, and tempt me into thoughts and actions that are not my own...but that are necessary for survival. I've made compromises with my humanity. And I am not alone in this. Miles from me are my brethren in this world, who walk in the same streets...who feel the same things, whether they admit to it or not.
And to think, I volunteered for this...
And I am ignorant to the rest of the world...or so I thought.
But even thousands of miles away, in Ramadi, Iraq, the cries and screams and complaints of the ungrateful reach me. In a year, I will be thrust back into society from a life and mentality that doesn't fit your average man. And then, I will be alone. And then, I will walk down the streets of America, and see the yellow ribbon stickers on the cars of the same people who compare our President to Hitler.
I will watch the television and watch the Cindy Sheehans, and the Al Frankens, and the rest of the ignorant sheep of America spout off their mouths about a subject they know nothing about. It is their right, however, and it is a right that is defended by hundreds of thousands of boys and girls scattered across the world, far from home. I use the word boys and girls, because that's what they are. In the Army, the average age of the infantryman is nineteen years old. The average rank of soldiers killed in action is Private First Class.
People like Cindy Sheehan are ignorant. Not just to this war, but to the results of their idiotic ramblings, or at least I hope they are. They don't realize its effects on this war. In this war, there are no Geneva Conventions, no cease fires. Medics and Chaplains are not spared from the enemy's brutality because it's against the rules. I can only imagine the horrors a military Chaplain would experience at the hands of the enemy. The enemy slinks in the shadows and fights a coward’s war against us. It is effective though, as many men and women have died since the start of this war. And the memory of their service to America is tainted by the inconsiderate remarks on our nation's news outlets. And every day, the enemy changes...only now, the enemy is becoming something new. The enemy is transitioning from the Muslim extremists to Americans. The enemy is becoming the very people whom we defend with our lives. And they do not realize it. But in denouncing our actions, denouncing our leaders, denouncing the war we live and fight, they are isolating the military from society...and they are becoming our enemy.
Democrats and peace activists like to toss the word "quagmire" around and compare this war to Vietnam. In a way they are right, this war is becoming like Vietnam. Not the actual war, but in the isolation of country and military. America is not a nation at war; they are a nation with its military at war. Like it or not, we are here, some of us for our second, or third times; some even for their fourth and so on. Americans are so concerned now with politics, that it is interfering with our war.
Terrorists cut the heads off of American citizens on the internet...and there is no outrage, but an American soldier kills an Iraqi in the midst of battle, and there are investigations, and sometimes soldiers are even jailed...for doing their job.
It is absolutely sickening to me to think our country has come to this. Why are we so obsessed with the bad news? Why will people stop at nothing to be against this war, no matter how much evidence of the good we've done is thrown in their face? When is the last time CNN or MSNBC or CBS reported the opening of schools and hospitals in Iraq? Or the leaders of terror cells being detained or killed? It's all happening, but people will not let up their hatred of President Bush. They will ignore the good news, because it just might show people that Bush was right.
America has lost its will to fight. It has lost its will to defend what is right and just in the world. The crazy thing of it all is that the American people have not even been asked to sacrifice a single thing. It’s not like World War II, where people rationed food and turned in cars to be made into metal for tanks. The American people have not been asked to sacrifice anything. Unless you are in the military or the family member of a servicemember, its life as usual...the war doesn't affect you.
But it affects us. And when it is over and the troops come home and they try to piece together what's left of them after their service...where will the detractors be then? Where will the Cindy Sheehans be to comfort and talk to soldiers and help them sort out the last couple years of their lives, most of which have been spent dodging death and wading through the deaths of their friends? They will be where they always are, somewhere far away, where the horrors of the world can't touch them. Somewhere where they can complain about things they will never experience in their lifetime; things that the young men and women of America have willingly taken upon their shoulders.
We are the hope of the Iraqi people. They want what everyone else wants in life: safety, security, somewhere to call home. They want a country that is safe to raise their children in. Not a place where their children will be abducted, raped and murdered if they do not comply with the terrorists demands. They want to live on, rebuild and prosper. And America has given them the opportunity, but only if we stay true to the cause and see it to its end. But the country must unite in this endeavor...we cannot place the burden on our military alone. We must all stand up and fight, whether in uniform or not. And supporting us is more than sticking yellow ribbon stickers on your cars. It's supporting our President, our troops and our cause.
Right now, the burden is all on the American soldiers. Right now, hope rides alone. But it can change, it must change. Because there is only failure and darkness ahead for us as a country, as a people, if it doesn't.
Let's stop all the political nonsense, let's stop all the bickering, let's stop all the bad news and let's stand and fight!
Isn't that what America is about anyway?
Sergeant Eddie Jeffers is a US Army Infantryman serving in Ramadi, Iraq.
bump to save
Thank you freema.
Rest in Peace Sgt Jeffers.
Bump for a fallen Comrade in arms.
Case in point, there's currently a thread in the Democrat and Chronicle Forum about the moveon.org's General Petraeus ad. Of course, the lefties diverted the discussion to the smear campaign that they're trying on Rush to divert attention from the shame the General Petraeus ad brought upon them. Please, click the link below and read through to the end. They go after active duty military (the user Iraqi Vet) and veterans (namely me!). I try to keep the lefties from tearing Iraqi Vet apart when he posts. I was called a "phony soldier" by one. These people want to take charge of this country and we can't let that happen. Check it out, it's eye opening:
Moveon.overtheline Ad that pilloried Gen. Petraeus should infuriate Democrats
If any of my friends here can help me out by posting a few words, please do. LucyJo has helped me and had some great posts to the "Sgt. Eddie Jeffers" thread that I started on the Forum. You have to get an account, but it's free and any support you can give me with your posts and advice, I'd appreciate!
Please accept my invitation to join Eddie's Army and defend the honor of our military, our freedoms and our traditions!
Reading this reminds me of the trials of Job. God bless this brave American and I pray the peace of Jesus to those who loved him.
Again, thanks so much for helping me out in that discussion! I was getting tag-teamed and it was getting a bit overwhelming. A few other allies of mine also jumped in and I think it’s come to an end!
Thanks again! Let me know if you ever need help!
I think you did a great job, on your own, of putting them in their place! I was happy to come by to number myself among the ones who agreed with you. : )
Keep up the good fight. Thanks for your time and effort.
BTW, I was desperate for a screen name. I’m not an Ex-Marine. Former was already taken.
Please check out Dave Jeffers "Special Orders". Those of us who've served understand what special orders are all about and coming from Dave, it would be a good thing if we are "front and center" for this one!
If you'd like to defend General Petraeus, come and post your feelings about moveon.org's defamation of a patriot and also about the defamation of Rush at:
Moveon.overtheline Ad that pilloried Gen. Petraeus should infuriate Democrats
Join me in Eddie's Army to combat the tyranny of the left on the internet!!!
I am broken hearted and full of tears. We have lost a great American Patriot. What would have been this fine young man’s career been like if he had lived? He was so on about the Democrat’s. They have shamed this nation and has incited enemies to kill brothers in arms such as Sgt Jeffers. It was his choice to die for even such traitors as the Democrats, because after all they are still Americans in name if not in character. God bless you Sgt. Jeffers. I shall look forward to hearing your tales of valor in heaven someday, God willing. Lord may you heal and bless this family whom has just lost the finest of their kind. In our Lord JESUS CHRIST Amen. Yes I said Jesus Christ for those on the left who read this post. Ever hear of him? I blame you Democrats as much as our enemies for this painful loss to America.
“The illness of being a democrat is that they will not even bother to read past the first sentence of this.
Out of guilt.”
Are you kidding? These people don’t care about any of us. They are out for the god of self. Do you think after the heinous slaughter of South Vietnam or Cambodia that the left was sorry? NO! These same protestors of the Vietnam War are the people now running our country.
A song by Tesla, think it was an old tune redone:
“Go straight to hell all you government personell,
sitting awful well in that big white castle on the hill
Give me a home where the buffalo roam and the deer and
antelope play, bet your ass we’ll blow them all away
*uck it up until it’s spent then wonder where it went! Thinking you were heaven sent, hahaha your nothing but hell! Go straight to hell!”
I know this, and that is precisely why they will not bother to read past the first sentence.
A democrat is a problem child who has to learn everything the hard way.
Bump a hero. One less buffer between us and the evil one’s.
Fortunately, we live in a country where another will step forwrd.
El Roy (Texas Cowboy) will meet this man at the gates of heaven.
Cliff Jones
Comment on September 20th, 2007.
I have been moved by Sgt Eddie Jeffers writings. I have corresponded with his Dad. I received the news of his sons death late last night and was inspiried to write the following poem.
May he rest in peace,
Cliff Jones
Eddie Rides With Jesus
In a dangerous, deadly, hostile land,
Rode a brave and courageous man.
He fought evil and despair,
Around every corner, everywhere.
He had ideals, dreams and goals,
Keeping his men alive and whole.
Sgt. Eddie loved his brave men,
And fought to get them home again.
He wrote from his heart so deep,
From his pain and made us weep,
For the truth he penned cut like a knife,
To the heart and soul of American life.
We suffer not as our soldiers die,
We go on our way and pass by,
The crippled veteran, the sad bride,
Whose husband bled and died.
Our soldiers give their blood, their life,
In an effort to end the horrible strife,
Should not we support and care for them,
As they fight to protect us from harm?
Let us change! Start something new!
Show our troops we love them too!!
Let’s get off our duffs, get busy now,
And show them we know when and how!
Send them cards, cookies and cheer,
Do it from our hearts and sincere.
Love them and let them know we care,
In every way, and all through the year!!
Sgt. Eddie has not died in vain,
His cause is ours, we will remain,
Faithful to the dreams he held so dear,
Freedom, freedom both far and near.
Sgt. Eddie has left the scene,
He rests with Jesus, so serene,
His duty done, in a distant land,
His hope has reached a peaceful end.
Eddie’s hope no longer rides alone,
He rides with Jesus, no more groans,
His head held high, feeling joy unbounded,
Through streets of gold with angels surrounded.
We miss you Eddie, wish you were here,
But we know God has called you up there.
Rest well Eddie, your mission is completed,
God’s love for you will never be depleted.
Father in Heaven, Please hold Eddie close to your heart,
Comfort him for us, even though we are apart.
Thanks for the years he lived with us too,
May his life bring great glory and honor to you.
We ask this in the Powerful Name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and by his shed blood, in the Power of the Holy Spirit, Amen and Amen
Cliff Jones September 19, 2007
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