I'm reminded of a time when I was 14 years old during Operation Desert Storm. I admired those soldiers as they left for war. I remember thinking that I would love to be a soldier and have the courage they do, so others might look up to me. We watched them load up and ship out, so bravely and humble as they left the homeland.
That has been twleve years ago. On March 19, I sat and watched the coverage on TV. I thought I was going to see the faces of the same heros I seen when I was a child.
This is when the shock hit my bones. These weren't the same heros I remember, these were young children in uniform. I paused a minute to think that these faces didn't look as brave as the ones I seen in 1991. In fact, now I could sense the fear in them very clearly.
So as I watched these young soldiers, the thought came to me that most of them were probably too young to have much knowledge of Desert Storm.
As Iv'e already said, when I was younger, I wanted to be just like these soldiers so I would be respected and looked up to. Seeing the protests on televison bothered me a great deal. What have these young soldiers to come home to?
Do you remember the first time you left home? Maybe you went to stay with a freind for the night. Do you remember the empty feeling you had because you missed your mom and dad, and were not used to the new surroundings. But at least you were comforted by the thoughts that you would return home to welcoming arms.
Do you see where this fits? How hard this must be for the soldiers to know they are fighting for a nation that publicly shows their hate for them. And this is in addition to being homesick and scared that they might not make it home. And they certainly won't be coming home to welcoming arms.
American soldiers are fighting so that people in Iraq can have the same opportunities and freedom that we do. And the same as Vietnam, they will face the wrath of all those against the war. It just doesn't seem right.
To the young soldiers, you are still my heros and my thoughts and prayers are with you. I thank you dearly for your deeds in securing my freedom, and if it need it be, I would proudly stand by your side in war in defending the only thing we know to be right. God Bless You!
To the protesters, maybe you all can find better excuses for waving signs and smoking weed. Maybe try going to a Nascar race because they do the same thing there and chances are, you won't hurt anybodys feelings or discourage the proudness of our free nation!
Willie Carter