Attending a Veteran’s Funeral

re: Attending a Veteran’s Funeral

MacLean Carson — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:22:31 GMT

This article is, unfortunately, accurate. Although I am not in the military, my daughter is and a few weeks ago we attended the funeral of a 23 year old friend of hers who died in Iraq. The funeral was held in the high school gym of our small town. As Mr. Botti described, the family was devastated, attending military personnel were efficient yet grim,

No one can have the full perspective on this war unless he or she personally attends such a funeral.

Donna Carson

re: Attending a Veteran’s Funeral

mfenwick — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 03:59:39 GMT

Patriotism is a religion used by all governments to persuade their citizens to do stupid things like pay high taxes, support bad policies, elect corrupt officials, and sadly enough fight wars. I cannot feel sorry for any soldier killed or wounded in Iraq , Afghanistan, or in any other country where the U.S. has no business meddling. American troops belong on American soil protecting American citizens, not half-way around the world fighting for a bunch of camel jockies who are being used by our politicians for their gain, not ours. It is a sad situation, but if people want this war to end and put a stop to all these needless funerals they had better start acting like they have a little sense. They need to quit voting Democrat and Republican and start voting Libertarian.

re: Attending a Veteran’s Funeral

mumarathon43 — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:40:40 GMT

To mfenwick -- The fact that you believe these soldiers are in these countries because of their own free will proves you have no understanding of anything that is really going on. Believe it or not, the 60's are over. How soldiers were treated coming home from Vietnam is disgusting and the majority of the world has come to realize how wrong it was. These people are making sacrifices for the rest of us. If we agree or don't agree with what is going on, be upset with the government officials who are sending these people over there. At least these soldiers have the decency to do their responsibility instead of being cowards and running to Canada or elsewhere because they are too immature and ignorant.

I want this war to end and we I believe we shouldn't be over there. However, I have complete respect for all of the people doing their duty right now. I know I wouldn't want to be in Iraq or Afghanistan. I appreciate all of their efforts as well as all of those of every veteran in all branches of our military.

re: Attending a Veteran’s Funeral

JonvL — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 05:54:10 GMT

To mfenwick -

Thank God that there are young men and women willing to die to protect your right to be so very wrong and yet feel secure enough to open your mouth. If not for their service and their ultimate sacrifice, you too could be living in a country where the dictators controlled the media and jailed or killed anyone that disagreed with them.

Thank God that they are fighting to protect us from fanatic groups that do not want us out of Iraq, they want us off "their" world, they want us all dead. The fanatic Muslims (a very small part of the Muslim population as a whole) openly publish this and speak about it; yet people like yourself continue to vilify our own soldiers and state that what these fanatics really want is peace. IF you believe this, then you are not listening to them. The only Peace they want is total control and the death of ALL the infidels in the world. Oh, in case you don't know it, they consider anyone that is not a practicing Muslim with the same fanatical beliefs and belonging to the same sect of Islam as theirs to be infidels. Since they come from different sects of Islam, there would be no Peace until there is only one sect of Islam and everyone else is dead. Then the gun would rule that Peace with anyone who dared to think differently being shot. Thank God that this war for Freedom is being fought in their streets and not in the streets of New York, Chicago, LA, Houston and the many other Cities and towns Americans call home. I feel very sorry for the Iraqi citizens who are caught in the midst of this war, but I am also thankful that I do not have to worry about my children as they walk home from school, or my wife as she shops at the local market.

Finally – I am so very Thankful for our soldiers who are Brave enough to stand between my family and the enemy, willing to die for our Freedom. I am angry that you would belittle that sacrifice and demean their service. If you REALLY believe that you know what you are talking about, go to Iraq or Afghanistan and talk to these fanatics. When they say something you do not like, PLEASE ignore the guns they are carrying and feel free to argue with them.

re: Attending a Veteran’s Funeral

Automan1 — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:18:37 GMT

Thank you for a sincere, well detailed accout of Citizen Soliders giving their last measure.

For many Reservists, the Gulf War of 1990 has not ended. There have been 17 years of preparation, drills, call ups and deployments that closely mirror the full time military.

Both the stength, and vulnerablilty ther Reserve and National Guard unit is the long term committment that is pledged to the local unit - often a minimum of five to six years of one's life. This dedication means that the core members of a squad, platoon, company and battalion, truly integrate to each others lives during both weekend warrior functions, and the War on Terror. Mr. Botti's feeling of emotion in facing the his friends' sacrivice is shared at many intensity levels by Veterans. These roots and ties to a community, and geographic based Reserve Unit is the vulnerability of our Citizen Soldier Reserve System.

In the large event of this war, Captain McKenna and Lance Corporal Glover sacrificed their lives confronting evil that exists in this world. On the community based unit level, they gave the final measure - taking care of each other.

Mr. Botti - in your heart of hearts, you know you would have stood beside LCpl Glover or Captain

McKenna in Iraq had the situation been different. This is the committment taken on as a Marine. In chosing to honor them with this article, you can face their monument without guilt for surviving , You will always feel the honest emotions of loss.

Semper Fidelis

re: Attending a Veteran’s Funeral

babybell71 — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 20:29:35 GMT

To mfenwick,

In which Vacuum do you "exist". Hmmm....must be some where in "lolly-pop land". Turn in your Pass Port, @#$%@!!!