Why is it always the good guys?
Sadness permeates central Ohio because three men in the prime of theirs were brutally taken from us by a cruel enemy half a world away. Sad because they were husbands and fathers of little ones, including a four old, an 18 month old, and a 9 month old, among older children.
Why is it those KIA from any conflict are never described as deadbeat dads? Lazy coworkers? Unfriendly human beings? Selfish leaders?
When the media shows their faces, pictures of them with family and friends, they are attractive people. They are full of life, playing with their toddlers, hugging their boyfriends or girlfriends, husbands or wives, or smiling in uniform. Phrases about them include, "He was so hardworking. He loved being a soldier. He was a wonderful son, husband, and daddy. He wanted to make the world a better place for others."
While these phrases may be exaggerated in some cases due to the circumstances, I believe when describing military KIA they ring true about 99% of the time. The fact that these human beings were so exemplary makes it that much harder when they're taken from us.
Captain Rozanski's brother Alex (who himself has a powerful story being a survivor of Lima Company and the Marine Corps' battle for Fallujah) attends my church and is now himself a Guardsmen. After his brother's death he was quoted in many places in the media with this: "We are a nation at war, and men are dying on a regular basis over there. And people need to remember that."
How true. Rest in Peace, gentlemen.
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Comment
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Comment by Ricardo Jacques on April 20, 2012 at 3:28am -
My words might have came across in a manner.
That I never thought about.
I once read that dead are all equal.
Maybe that came from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
There is no rank and all are listed on the day.
That they were died in Vietnam.
Recently photos were made public.
Which should offend us.
Maybe they posed for those photos.
With a sense of victory.
The victory comes by just surviving.
The author asks, why are we surprised.
These acts have taken place.
Since war began.
It safe to be offended.
Because we never have to experience.
What they are now facing in Afghanistan.
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Comment by Claudia Bartow on April 19, 2012 at 11:21pm -
Ricardo,
I certainly meant no offense. Every single person who wears the uniform and then gives his or her life is equally deserving of remembrance and thanks. My point was how outstanding these people are- that when the media tells us about their personal characteristics this is true time and time again. This is a tribute to the quality people in our force today and in the past. Our country is blessed to have a military like this.
To me when a servicemember has young children or babies back home, as do two of these three fallen, it hurts even more. I have a three year old and I imagine those little precious children without their daddies. My heart goes out to all who have lost a loved one.
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Comment by Ricardo Jacques on April 19, 2012 at 3:44pm
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What I was trying to say; some World War I poets.
Have written poems about;
Does It Matter by Siegfried Sassoon
And Wilfred Owen's Anthem For Doomed Youth.
Siegfried's poem is about the wounded of his war.
Wilfred's poem might be his epitaph.
As he was to die just before the war ended.
Afghanistan has been the burial ground.
For many, Alexander The Great, The British, and the Russians.
From my own experience war will change one's character.
We might never know the good or bad of any who died.
But we must always remember they were Americans.
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Comment by Ricardo Jacques on April 19, 2012 at 3:14pm
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We the 98 -99% have not felt nor been asked to carry the load.
But I must ask, what does a man or woman character.
Have to do after their death.
They were just human beings.
We must remember them as Americans.
In the service of our nation.
And we will never see them again.
Echoing your word;
Rest In Peace, gentlemen.
© 2013 Created by Claudia Bartow.
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