Marching in Their Boots

A letter from a Marine that we all need to read.

The story Chris Matthews won't tell you:

A young Marine and his cover man cautiously enter a room just recently filled with insurgents armed with Ak-47's and RPG's. There are three dead, another wailing in pain. The insurgent can be heard saying, "Mister, mister! Diktoor, diktoor(doctor)!" He is badly wounded, lying in a pool of his own blood. The Marine and his cover man slowly walk toward the injured man, scanning to make sure no enemies come from behind. In a split second, the pressure in the room greatly exceeds that of the outside, and the concussion seems to be felt before the blast is heard. Marines outside rush to the room, and look in horror as the dust gradually settles. The result is a room filled with the barely recognizable remains of the deceased, caused by an insurgent setting off several pounds of explosives.

The Marines' remains are gathered by teary eyed comrades, brothers in arms, and shipped home in a box. The families can only mourn over a casket and a picture of their loved one, a life cut short by someone who hid behind a white flag.

But no one hears these stories, except those who have lived to carry remains of a friend, and the families who loved the dead. No one hears this, so no one cares.

But, the story causing the Old Media to foam at the mouth assumes our Marines are guilty, and our Marine continues in his letter:

For those of you who sit on your couches in front of your television, and choose to condemn this man's actions, I have but one thing to say to you. Get out of your recliner, lace up my boots, pick up a rifle, leave your family behind and join me. See what I've seen, walk where I have walked. To those of you who support us, my sincerest gratitude. You keep us alive.

Read that last paragraph again, and think about it. All I can say is "Ooh-Rah!"

This is the first war in which the soldier can directly challenge the prejudices and biases of the Old Media.

The Old Media continue to strive to equate Iraq with Vietnam -- the Vietnam not of the Swift Vets, of course, but of John Kerry and the J-J-Jenghis Khan atrocities committed by him and his Band of Brothers.

The objectivity of the Old Media continues to underwhelm me. . . .