A SOLDIER'S PERSPECTIVE
THE WEB'S LEADING MILITARY BLOG SINCE 2004
How much is the life of a Soldier worth these days? Every day we hear about Soldiers who were killed in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan. Yet, when a death does occur, it’s become sort of an afterthought to most Americans unaffected by the death. I tend to agree with the following assessment written by Thomas Hanson:
Army Sergeant Jim Wilt recently expressed his frustration regarding President Bush’s directive to fly flags at half-staff at Bagram military base in Afghanistan for the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre yet military deaths occurring in Afghanistan were not recognized with the same protocol.
Wilt insisted he was concerned that his comrades’ deaths seemed to have become a minor blip on the television screen and therefore barely worthy of consideration. In contrast, the Tech shooting deaths appeared to carry the necessary “shock factor” to earn those victims special treatment.
Wilt stated the obvious, “I think it is sad that we do not raise the bases’ flag to half-staff when a member of our own task force dies.”
Bagram flew all U.S. flags at half-staff through Sunday, April 22, in accordance with Bush’s directive to honor the 32 people killed at Virginia Tech by a 23-year-old gunman.
Sgt. 1st Class Dean Welch quickly made note that the comments of Wilt’s were a “soldier’s commentary, not the view of the coalition and not the view of the U.S. forces.”
I don’t think he’s alone in feeling that way. Read the entire article here.
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I am posting this in case someone by the name of susan just goes to th
White Rose
I agree totaly!!
This shows a sad state of where our country is today.
GailAlison
Not to me, not ever. Sounds morbid but I read the casualty list every day. I read each name & I mourn each of them.
Civilian Anthony
I saw flags at half staff last week and wondered why; I couldn’t remember any national leader having died, then I realized it was the VT incident. I wondered then the same thing that Sgt Wilt brings up. Seems that the President ordered the flags lowered just because the VT incident made a lot of news. Make no mistake about it, this was a horrible incident, but as it regards the flag, how is it different from any other 32 people who happen to be killed in civilian murders on any given day – the only difference is that it happened all at one place. What about the Amish schoolhouse, I don’t remember that flags were lowered for that – was it because elementary school children are not worth as much as college students, or maybe because the flag threshold lies somewhere between 5 and 32? Are people who are killed alone worth less than people who are killed in large groups?
Ordering the flags at military bases in war zones lowered for civilian murders is a direct slap in the face to our military troops who see their comrades killed every day. It is also a slap in the face to the families of those military troops who have made the ultimate sacrafice. It is very disappointing that President Bush did this.
Terri
On Monday in SNAFU’s province, there were 9 soldiers killed in the car bombings and another killed in the same province due to an IED. Flags weren’t flown at half mast in honor of those 10 brave troops who lost their lives fighting for Freedom. Sad….. very sad. Our troops deserve this small show of respect and mourning.
HeyHeyPaula59
What happened at VT was a tragedy! However, the loss of lives of our Military is tragic and has been every day since this began. People just seem to FORGET we are at WAR! While attending a church function I guess I seemed quiet, (ok so I’m a chatter box) point being a “friend” says “What’s wrong with you today?” I said well Brian just left on patrol (he’s a Submariner) and Travis has been given his deployment date (he’s a Soldier) I guess I’m a little down, but I’ll be fine! Response: Well my goodness Brian has been in the Navy 7 years you should be use to that, and you knew when Travis joined he’d go to Iraq!
Ok I counted to 10 looked up and said “thank you so much for your concern and support!” And those boys say I can’t hold my tongue! This is just an example of how people just “get use” to things going on around them, be it war or a shooting at VT! These flags should be lowered EVERY time a man or woman serving their country dies, I don’t care if they have to “BUDGET” that and hire somebody to do it!!! I mean tax money is going to find out why cows chew there cud after all! Ok I’m stepping down off my soap box!