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Grief is one thing, but a pattern of acting in a grossly inappropriate manner regarding the tragic but honorable death of her son is quite another. We who have worn our country's uniform perhaps view this in a somewhat different light. We know and accept the downside risk of service in a fighting force. As my old Sergeant Major used to tell us, "Somedays you get to earn your rations the hard way." I have seen men die and I am sick with grief that anyone would have this happen to them, and that includes the "other fellows" who oppose us. Death is a grim reality that we must all face someday. To some are given the opportunity to face it doing something brave and honorable, as that young officer did. He kept faith to his oath and with his fellow soldiers to the last full measure of devotion. He died while acting to protect his fellow soldiers and the innocent bystanders who would be caught in the blast radius of a bomb set by cowards who would kill without regard to the innocence of their potential victims. To diminish his sacrifice through self serving histrionics is appalling ...
By way of contrast, when I was leaving for my reserve call up my Mother said the words to me that my Grandmother said to my Dad and Uncles when they went to fight in Viet Nam. She said that I should do the best I could to lead my men well and to take no unnecessary chances for them or myself and to come home safe and sound, BUT, to always remember that if the unthinkable happened that the very last thing I would do on earth would be to die, so, DO IT WELL!
If anything had happened to me I have no doubt that she would have been stricken with the grief that only a mother could know, but I am equally certain that if the unthinkable had happened she would have honored my death and looked to my brother and/or cousins to take my place. Yes, we have discussed this and yes she and my graqndmother define for me the concept of "steel magnolias", but it sure as hell makes me proud of them.
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