The following editorial was provided to me from an American soldier fighting the “War on Terror” in Afghanistan. This particular piece inspired me to get off my ass and do something. I hope it will do the same for you.
Alright, so here goes another epic journey into the far-reaching expanses of my mind (and by that I mean adding some focus to the string of thoughts I have while sitting on guard for three hours at a time.)
I posted a link to a news story from ABC News previously entitled “The Forgotten War“. After thinking long and hard both about that “nickname” and a quote from a TIME Magazine (”America isn’t at war. The US Army and Marine Corps are at war. America is at the mall.”), I’ve decided that I have alot to say about this.
Firstly, does anybody remember that Afghanistan, not Iraq, was the original country American troops were posted in during this “War on Terror?” Yea, it’s true folks; American Forces found themselves being deployed to Afghanistan in 2001, while the initial Iraqi invasion occurred in the Spring of 2003. Why is it, then, that Iraq is the war? Why is it that the first response many of us deployed to Afghanistan get when mentioning our current assignment to friends and family is “Oh well, at least you aren’t in Iraq?“
Shit is serious here, too. In fact, after corresponding with many friends I have currently deployed to Iraq, it would seem that it is even worse. IED’s aren’t nearly as prevalent a threat (though they have made for many situations in the last month, some devastating), but I have yet to correspond with any of those aforementioned individuals to find out that they have seen even a QUARTER of the small arms and indirect fire, or even direct contact, with the enemy as even the least-attacked individuals in my company, even Battalion.
Americans have, without a doubt, become so dulled by the readily accessible news outlets that they know only that which is reported to them. While that is disgraceful, it is understandable. People have become so busy that they accept what they hear on the radio, see when quickly responding to emails, or hear when changing channels on the television. Fair enough.
Thus, I hold the media outlets responsible. Have even our newscasters become so lazy that the two-syllable location where the sons and daughters of America are being killed in the name of freedom beats out the one with four-syllables?
Yes, the political and governmental changes which we have affected have been more obvious and thus reportable in Iraq, but one has to wonder if that makes them more newsworthy. The fighting here in Afghanistan, specifically in the Northeastern Pech and Korengal valleys, has been the worst to date.
Thus far, the 173d Airborne Brigade and the units attached to it have lost over two dozen men in the country, in under 8 months. Enemy contact has not dissipated much with the vicious onslaught of cold weather and un-navigable terrain that has been encountered with the winter season. At at least 800+ meters above sea level, deep in the Hindu Kush mountains, one would expect this to be the case. It hasn’t been though.
So where is our notoreity? Why is it that we have to live with the label of being those soldiers fighting in the “Forgotten War?” I am disgusted to think of the future I see approaching; our children will read vaguely of this war, and the numbers of those whose lives were changed and those whose lives were lost will be just that: numbers.There will be no back story on the many heroic men and women whose lives were lost while simply serving their country and trying to help build (not REbuild, but simply build) a more effective government and military in a country known to be a resting and training ground for those with nothing better to do but devise ways to kill Americans.
Nay, we’ll be forced to remember in silence forever the lives of friends, brothers, that we watched fall on a “Forgotten Battlefield.” Jesus, if it’s forgotten now, what will be the case when it comes time to update the history books?
Media outlets: While I understand that titling your works “The Forgotten” anything is a means of grabbing the attention of your readers, listeners, and viewers, I question why you have yet to acknowledge that it is because of your lack of investigative reporting that we are becoming forgotten.
In other news, though, besides the freezing cold onslaught of rain sleet and snow which we here on the Styx have been forced to deal with recently, I have to say that my life is going surprisingly well. I’ve begun to find direction, and a reason to be happy. Knock on wood, all goes well. I’m signing off for now, but I hope that everyone who reads this has come to a few conclusions:
-Until the media realizes their error, You’ll have to investigate yourself to learn anything about what our forces face in this country.
-If you have any sort of connection to any sort of news outlet (from a small local daily, even weekly, publication, to a media mogul), you will make your voice heard, make MY voice heard, and maybe we’ll be given the recognition and coverage we deserve.
-Being deployed to a war zone sucks, plain and simple. The phrase “At least it’s not…” followed by ANYTHING (i.e. Iraq) is not something we wish to hear.
Dear Soldier,
First of all I want you to know that you are not forgotten. I think about you everyday and many times during the day. I want you to know that I am grateful you are “over there” because that is keeping us safe “over here.”
Next, I want you to know that I don’t believe everything the media says. Catchy phrases sound good but are often misleading.
”America isn’t at war. The US Army and Marine Corps are at war. America is at the mall.”
That makes it sound as if we who are not physically on the battlefield simply don’t care. BULLSHIT.
#1. We are battling our own goons and bullies. If we the American people didn’t care there would have been a stampede behind that white flag long ago. In spite of the media, politicians, Hollywood and the “blame America” front guard HAMMERING at us to give up we are still committed to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
(Someday I will send you my “pretty in pink” letter written to Speaker Pelosi when she went sightseeing in Syria. I wrote to her, forwarded it to my senators, congressmen, President Bush … It was mailed, emailed it and phoned in. (Since letters counts for 5,000 people I try to get the most mileage out of each and every!)
#2. We’re not just shopping at the mall. I want to comment on the “at the mall” bit without sounding too technical. Please stay with me – this is an important point.
We the American people feel anxious about everything going on over there. We are also scared by things going on here in the U.S. of A. How couldn’t we – we are human beings with human feelings. Anxious people gossip, blame, distance, cling to, deny, over achieve and under achieve. Yes, we go to the malls. Sometimes, often it is to escape and forget our anxieties.
Mostly we, the citizen soldiers, need to do whatever we need to do to keep ourselves grounded, optimistic and healthy in mind, body and spirit so we can be there for you and with you.
It is our responsibility to enjoy the fruits of your labors. It is up to us to show our enemy “over there” and “over here” that we are not giving up on peace or hiding out under our beds. Let’s fills those malls to capacity. Let’s fills the airports, stadiums, churches, houses of worship, parks, beaches, universities with our bodies and our courageous American spirit.
#3. Thank you for your service. I almost lost one brother in the Beirut Embassy bombing of 1982. He retired from the service one month before this attack. So he lived to talk about it – his replacement was blown to pieces. I almost lost another brother who could have drawn one of those short straws on 9/11. Instead of him other pilots for American Airlines went down.
PLEASE don’t for one minute buy into this media tag line of the “forgotten” war. We know you are there. We look forward to welcoming you home with love when your tour is done.
Love,
One citizen’s voice, Viveca
By: viveca on February 5, 2008
at 9:43 am