Saturday, December 30, 2006
Mister, 3000.
Unfortunately, it seems like we might hit the next Magic Number of casualties for media commentators even before the new year rolls in. As an Operation Iraqi Freedom vet myself, these deaths mean more to me than they do to Washington megalomaniacs looking for facetime fodder to play politics with on Sunday morning chit-chat shows. Every photo of the deceased reminds me of someone that I served with. Beyond the still photos on the news, there is a flesh-and-blood reality that no media soundbite can ever accurately and fully portray.
Some joined for patriotism, some for a job, some for action, some for citizenship, some for duty or belonging. These Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard are our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, co-workers and friends. And whoever the unfortunate soul that becomes Mister or Ms. 3000 is, after all the media chatter, the somber editorials, and the partisan pundit posturings are played out, family members, friends and loved ones will have to quiletly live out their lives. And they will continue suffering with that loss even as CNN, FOX and MSNBC dissolve to the next bit of inanity about Britney Spears.
Sunday update: Less than a day after my initial post, the unfortunate soul has been revealed.
Labels: Casualties, Iraq
