Making the War Personal
Jennifer Roblez
Friday, September 14, 2007
I PAID Spc. David J. Lane a visit on Wednesday afternoon at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. I wanted to thank him for his service in Iraq and to get closer to what I think is the most important issue facing our country today.
The war can seem like a faraway ordeal even as we marked another Sept. 11 anniversary this week, Congress listened to an Army general estimate when troops might be withdrawn and President Bush told the American people last night that he plans to reduce the U.S. troop presence by next summer to pre-buildup levels — a far cry from complete withdrawal.
While I sat alone in the quiet funeral room with Lane, there was no denying how personal it felt, though I never met him while he was alive. Here, was a 20-year-old killed by a penetrating explosive device probably obtained by insurgents through assistance from Iran. Here, was proof of personal sacrifice from one of our own. Here, was hurt and pain and sorrow.
There have been other soldiers from Emporia killed and there may be more in the future. Close to 3,800 soldiers have been killed in Iraq since March 2003 and about 28,000 have been wounded. A team of American and Iraqi epidemiologists estimated last year that 655,000 more people have died in Iraq since coalition forces arrived than would have died if the invasion had not occurred.
I’ve indirectly experienced more than a few soldiers’ deaths while working at newspapers in such military towns as Colorado Springs, Junction City and Waco, Texas, (think the Western White House and Cindy Sheehan). These towns represent the Army bases Fort Carson, Fort Riley and Fort Hood.
We covered every memorial service at Fort Carson and wrote a short obituary on every American soldier killed in Iraq.
By chance, I got to know Fort Riley’s 2nd Lt. Jeffrey Graham before he was killed Feb. 19, 2004 of injuries sustained from small-arms fire and an improvised explosive device attack in Khalidiyah, Iraq.
In a small park in Junction City, Graham’s Army mug photo was attached to a cross with red, white and blue ribbons. Fort Riley soldiers and friends would visit his and other crosses there and place momentos of these men — patches from their units, toy cannons, sealed letters.
For most of the United States, apart from the soldiers and military families, people seem detached from the daily devastation in Iraq. We shouldn’t deprive ourselves of a daily opportunity to contemplate the war.
When it doesn’t seem at a distance, I think America, as a whole, takes the war more seriously and looks to diplomacy for answers.
Even President Bush doesn’t attend funerals for fallen soldiers. If he did, perhaps, it would lend more gravity to the fighting. We need to feel responsible. We need to say ‘thank you’ and really mean it. We need to seek peace and pursue it.
Jennifer Roblez may be reached by e-mail at newsroom@emporiagazette.com.
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
I wonder if this war had a draft, required World War II rationing or heck even asked people to make bandages if people would get a clue that we're even in a war. Doesn't it seem like people just want to detach and go on like nothing's happening? That boy's funeral home should've been open 24 hours a day with people wanting to stop by and pay their respects.
September 15, 2007 at 1:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Your comments about a draft may be prophetic, railroadhorn. Just a couple of days ago there was talk of reinstituting the draft if this war continues. I'm guessing people will start paying attention then. I wonder if they'd get a clue if gasoline was rationed? Other wars were different times I guess.
The other day, as I stood along the funeral route, another grey hair like me said, "Sure is different from Vietnam." I couldn't help but go back to those days for a moment. As my husband and I walked through San Francisco Airport, someone walked up to him and spit on him. I'll never forget that one moment in time as the ball of spit rolled down his dress greens. My husband, a marine who only 20 hours before was manning a 30 calibre machine gun on a medi vac helicopter, kept walking briskly ahead.
Yes, it sure is different from Vietnam. I'm just glad that at least people back home are more supportive of the troops now no matter what their political beliefs. And yes, too many are just plain detached.
September 15, 2007 at 6:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
Sounds like your husband was a true Marine! I'm glad, too, that the troops are getting support from those who don't believe in this war. I just hate to see all the 20-year-olds who are killed. Maybe it is time for a draft?
September 17, 2007 at 11:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Yes, he was. Thank you for saying so. Semper Fidelis.
September 17, 2007 at 4:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
I notice. But then again, my life is military.
I would go for a draft. I think it would teach a lot of people something that has been lost between this war and the last one.
We (as a whole) feel entitled to everything but are not compelled enough to want to work for anything.
M
September 18, 2007 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )