Warning: Rant ahead.
A post on my facebook newsfeed last night reignited some angry feelings I have about the way some people talk about American military service men and women.
A military-based public facebook page posted a link to this story:
Soldier's Puppy Gives Hope to Grieving Family
And a facebook user proceeded to comment about the "wasted lives" of soldiers who died in the war. Even further, another person proceeded to agree with them.
I stopped reading right away and came straight here to write this.
It makes me absolutely sick to see comments of this type, and it always has. I personally find it extremely disrespectful to all service men and women.
Yes, war is an ugly thing. Yes, no parent truly wants their child to go off to fight a war. Yes, it's awful when people die in combat.
Freaken' DUH.
But if these people actual read this story, they would see that this young man, after being traumatized by 9/11, poured his heart and soul into joining the military. They would read his mother's account of how excited he was when he got the position he wanted as an Airborne Army Ranger. They would read a fellow's soldier's account about Justin's lack of fear, even when he was hit with an explosive. They would read his girlfriend's comments about how happy he looked in the picture of him, decked out in fatigues, holding a puppy that he found while in the desert.
This was a brave, strong young man who LOVED what he was doing. He was fighting for his country and he was thrilled to be doing so.
As are most service men and women, despite the terrifying possibility of being called to duty. They are brave, honorable, and proud of their place in the military.
So how dare anyone say that they've "wasted" their own lives. How dare anyone curse the life that they've chosen, and how dare anyone disrespect a man or woman risks their own life for the sake of others.
Their lives may be lost, but they are never wasted.
