2008 Woodie Awards
Don't forget the soldiers
Jack Walleshauser, Special to The Carolinian
Issue date: 10/24/06 Section: Opinions
I would like to respond to Katie Rose Guest's article, "How does fighting make us free?"
I served for four years in the army, spending two years in Iraq, and I know firsthand how many mistakes have been made by our government before and during the war. I am not sure that fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan is making anyone free either. I do think, however, that it is shortsighted to not acknowledge the thousands of men and women who volunteer to serve their country and their role in defending this nation.
I agree that our freedom is due to a "stable government" and our economy, but without a military standing ready to defend it, this nation would not continue to prosper. I served my country so that people like you, who do not want to, do not have to. I did not have the luxury to criticize any of the choices that our government and my chain of command made. I was never forced to kill anyone and, as a matter of fact, I never killed anyone at all. I did lose four of my best friends who were willing to give their lives for their country.
You are correct, "warmongering" will never make us more free, and indeed "pressing against the ever-closing walls of tyranny" is freedom, however, that was accomplished in the American Revolution with a very bloody war against Great Britain. Fighting in the American Revolution, and in World Wars I and II by the same organization that I was a part of, indeed preserved our freedom.
Without fighting and bloodshed to defend it, this country would not be where it is today. Thousands of men and women, like my friends, have given their lives to defend this nation.
I served for four years in the army, spending two years in Iraq, and I know firsthand how many mistakes have been made by our government before and during the war. I am not sure that fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan is making anyone free either. I do think, however, that it is shortsighted to not acknowledge the thousands of men and women who volunteer to serve their country and their role in defending this nation.
I agree that our freedom is due to a "stable government" and our economy, but without a military standing ready to defend it, this nation would not continue to prosper. I served my country so that people like you, who do not want to, do not have to. I did not have the luxury to criticize any of the choices that our government and my chain of command made. I was never forced to kill anyone and, as a matter of fact, I never killed anyone at all. I did lose four of my best friends who were willing to give their lives for their country.
You are correct, "warmongering" will never make us more free, and indeed "pressing against the ever-closing walls of tyranny" is freedom, however, that was accomplished in the American Revolution with a very bloody war against Great Britain. Fighting in the American Revolution, and in World Wars I and II by the same organization that I was a part of, indeed preserved our freedom.
Without fighting and bloodshed to defend it, this country would not be where it is today. Thousands of men and women, like my friends, have given their lives to defend this nation.
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