Letter from a Fellow Veteran

This is the message I received from a fellow Vietnam veteran, Harry Flynn, this evening:

Why will the major TV networks carry a three hour memorial service without commercial interruptions and then many hours of other program and news coverage today for someone who never served his country or put his life on the line and gave his all. I AM OUTRAGED. Why can we not get the same coverage and respect for our service members and veterans who have given us the FREEDOM to be able to enjoy and do the things we do each day. I am a Vietnam Veteran that knows what it is like to put your life on the line and wonder if you will every live to see America or your family again, and when you do come home no Welcome Home or Thank You until many years later. Please take time to reflect on this and feel free to comment. I even saw where one of our congress person saluted him today. We need to be saluting our real HEROES today and every day. What has happen to us in this country. God help us.

While the focus today, tomorrow, and for the next God-knows-how-many-days will be the death of a pop culture icon; while many will mourn, wail, and quite literally make fools of themselves over it and while as many will speak endlessly about it, allow me, if only for a moment, to remind us all that others have died this month; others whose lives were cut short; others who leave behind loved ones and whose families will dearly miss them; families who'll suffer with much more dignity and honor than we'll be exposed to on the tube in the coming days.

Yes... it's true... we've suffered a great loss... but forgive me when I tell you that I'm not talking about the king of pop music.

These American military members died in Iraq this month:

Sergeant Justin J. Duffy
Specialist Christopher M. Kurth
Specialist Charles D. Parrish
Lance Corporal Robert D. Ulmer
Staff Sergeant Edmond L. Lo
Sergeant Joshua W. Soto
Captain Kafele H. Sims
Specialist Chancellor A. Keesling

And these members of our U.S. Armed Forces died in Afghanistan this month:

Sergeant Jones, Ricky D.
Specialist Munguia Rivas, Rodrigo A.
Command Master Chief Petty Officer Garber, Jeffrey J.
1st Sergeant Blair, John D.
Sergeant Smith, Paul G.
Staff Sergeant Melton, Joshua
Sergeant 1st Class Dupont, Kevin A.
Specialist O'Neill, Jonathan C.
Chief Warrant Officer Richardson Jr., Ricky L.
Specialist Silva, Eduardo S.
Lance Corporal Whittle, Joshua R.
Major Barnes, Rocco M.
Major Jenrette, Kevin M.
Staff Sergeant Beale, John C.
Specialist Jordan, Jeffrey W.
Specialist Griemel, Jarrett P.
Specialist Hernandez I, Roberto A.
Sergeant Obakrairur, Jasper K.
Staff Sergeant Hall, Jeffrey A.
Private 1st Class Ogden, Matthew D.
Private 1st Class Wilson, Matthew W.

Let's remember and honor this day those whose deaths are truly impacting.