Freedom

[owenk]

The War in Iraq....editorial of an airline passenger's experience --

I want to tell you of an experience I had Thursday night flying home from Atlanta. The pilot came on the intercom and went through the usual announcements telling us that "we're just east of Montgomery cruising at 28,000 feet" and "you've picked a beautiful night for flying, just look at the gorgeous southern sunset out of the right side of the plane". He then, however, said this: "Please bear with me as I deviate from the script, but I want you all to know that simply by coincidence you have been granted both the privilege and honor of escorting the body of Army PFC Howard Johnson, Jr. home tonight. PFC Johnson was killed in Iraq

defending the freedoms we all enjoy, and fighting to extend hose

freedoms to the people of Iraq. We are also accompanied by PFC Johnson's cousin, Marine Sergeant Major Talley, who has been chosen by the family to escort PFC Johnson home. Semper Fi!" The plane quickly became very quiet, but soon erupted in thunderous applause that lasted for several minutes. It was quite moving, to say the least.

As I sat there thinking about what the pilot had said, and visualizing PFC Johnson's body riding below me in the belly of that plane, I noticed a couple of things. Two rows in front of me sat a father holding his daughter, an infant, and they were practicing "ma-ma" and in the row behind me was another young boy, probably 2 or so, learning to count to 10. Now obviously both are too young to realize we're at war, or that one of our dead was with us, but it made me think, and this is the point: These warriors, mostly young, all volunteers, everyday are prepared to give their lives for our future, for a safer, more secure future for people they don't even know, all based on the principle that fighting and dying for freedom of others is worth it.

By the way, the flight ended with all of us deplaning only to line the windows of the gate house to watch PFC Johnson's body, draped in the American flag, be rolled out of the plane and into a waiting hearse that was surrounded by his family members.

Long live the United States of America and other free nations and the freedoms for which they stand!

[tttz]

Thanks for sharing that editorial. Where did you find it?

-Ty

[owenk]

it came in an email to me

[1 Bravo 6]

Owen K,

Thanks for sharing that with us mate, I can imagine how moving such an experience would be.

The general public just go along with their every day lives without a thought for the young heros who make our way of life possible.

Rick.

[Doehring]

When I look at the latest pictures from Iraq, the lootings, the protests against the US occupation, the Schiit's political targets to make Iraq another Iran (Khoumeni state), the suspicious run on Iraq's oil and business, the "unpolite" threads against France and by that the unhelpful discussions at UN and between us western countries, was that all worth to die, even to fight? Was it really for Freedom for those, who don't understand (or don't want to understand) what Freedom means or was Freedom in this case only a welcome argument to motivate young people to fight and die for something else? What are we crying for? Blind obedience? The future did not become easier IMO

Rolf

[Leeroy]

Theres not much that one can say to that, apart from this;

'The only way evil can endure is if good men do nothing'

I salute all those who have fought in this war against Saddam and his regime, and though the casualties of war will hurt many, many more will feel the sweet taste of freedom, and hopefully if everything goes right, we will see that freedom endure for a long time ot come!

Cheers ppl, and especially all the men and women who have fought to protect the freedoms and liberties that we all take for granted! My eternal thanks for those who have given their time, courage, bravery and in some cases lives to protect our way of life!

[TKR514]

Doehring, please have a little respect for the dead and their families. Muchas Gracias.

[Leeroy]

Some respect doehring...they do as they are ordered with courage, bravery and honour...would you do the same? Even if u don't agree, show some respect for the dead and especially the way in which their passing has occured!

Cheers ppl...

[Doehring]

I'm very, very sorry that you understood me wrong!

I do respect those who fought and still fight for our freedom very much, perhaps more than you expect and I'm really sad for every lost young life and the tragedies for the families. Here in old Europe we very well know what that means! I have done my job at the iron curtain and your brave soldiers had also been there.

The soldiers do a great job and follow their orders, strongly believing in the wisdom of their leaders .... and that is the point where I add Questionmarks today when I try to rise questions on the backgrounds, the gratitude of the freed and the handling of the future.

Sorry

[owenk]

When this war started I was against it, I was against it do to the lost of life that was going to happen on both sides. But once it started selected my side and that was in support of my country’s and ally’s forces. I lived through the Vietnam time, my father and brother both went to Vietnam and came home. It bothered me greatly when I saw again the look in the eyes of people that when they tell me that someone in their family is in Iraq, I was being ripped back to the 60’s and Vietnam, I was not comfortable with these feelings.

Living in a free society we have the ability to read and say what we want. With that freedom we also have the ability to learn where we are correct and incorrect. In my case I have learned that Saddam Hussein and his party were truly evil people based on the information that is coming from many sources in Iraq.

We now have a new challenge of providing the freedom for “freedom” to grow in Iraq without other evil people gaining control. A fine line to walk. Will we make mistakes? Yes, Will it work? I hope so, but at least we have the freedom to make those mistakes a correct them.

I hope that in 20 years we can look back and the good that has come out of this war.

[Leeroy]

Sorry man, just came across like that!

Cheers ppl!

[TKR514]

"..was Freedom in this case only a welcome argument to motivate young people to fight and die for something else? What are we crying for? Blind obedience? "

I don't know how anyone could misunderstand your previous message!

No, no one is crying over blind obedience, but cries of thanfulness and respect to the soldier and his family. Simple enough.

Semper Fi.