Category: News and Views
Hey all below i am pasting an article from our local newspaper. I don't know if i should put this here o the rant board. I guess this story just hit me because my brother was over in the war and my cousin is now in Iraq fighting. Though I disagree with the war itself to see something like this makes me wonder how i can live in such a harsh society.
Where was outpouring of respect for fallen soldier?
By Cynthia Hoag, Guest Essayist
On Oct 27, I was waiting for a flight with three friends at the
Greater Rochester International Airport. As we talked and laughed, we
watched airport personnel unloading luggage from a plane. And we were
surprised to see a soldier in uniform standing by the airplane
looking things over, and watching the luggage belt that was loaded
with baggage.
Since I have served in the Army Reserves for 21 years, my friends
asked me why I thought he was standing there. I did not need to
answer because as I looked down, a box with the American flag draped
over it came down the belt. The lone waiting soldier stood at
attention saluting the fallen soldier.
My friends and I sat silently watching the casket roll down the belt,
and then, to our surprise, disappear into the cart with the rest of
the luggage. The waiting soldier stayed with the casket and rode in
the cart as they pulled away.
My friends and I were speechless. I, as many Americans, support our
troops and know they believe they are truly making a difference in
Iraq. As I read the paper every day, I see the number of soldiers who
are killed every day. I served with soldiers who were deployed in
support of the war. I have not, however, known anyone who has been
killed in it. After I read the paper I usually go about my business
not thinking again about the young men and women who died trying to
complete their mission. Since I have not been affected by the death
of a loved one, or a friend, I haven’t been as aware of the
devastation that their families must endure. I’m afraid most people
feel that way.
This incident, however, changed that for me. I saw the casket of a
fallen soldier, saluted by a lone soldier, and then placed in the
baggage cart. Baggage. There was a young man standing at the window
watching intently with us. He made no comment, but I can only hope
that he was not a relative.
At the very least, couldn’t there have been a hearse to transport the
fallen soldier? At the very least, couldn’t there have been a group
of soldiers to receive one of their own? If it had been a dignitary/
celebrity arriving, the reception certainly would have been different.
It was a very sobering, sad experience for all of us. Please don’t
let this happen again to any soldier. Let’s not treat our fallen
troops like baggage.
That's just really sad...shows people's lack of regard.
I agree with Mary Roberts Rinehart when she said, "I hate those men who would send into war youth to fight and die for them; the pride and cowardice of those old men, making their wars that boys must die."
It seems that the least those political bastards could do is show respect to those kids that pay the final price in a useless battle.
Bob
Mary Roberts Rinehart