SGT Joseph Bhenke, KIA 12/24/2004, Iraq
-a hero and friend-
What has become of this country?
On Tuesday many New Yorkers who are proud Americans and loyal Giants fans will line the cold parade route in downtown NYC to watch their “heroes” march by. These “heroes” are the one percent- multimillionaires who are paid handsomely to play a game.
Among these fans will be the unemployed, union workers, business executives, and politicians. Most will fawn over their “heroes” that managed to win a ballgame on Sunday that many of us played when we were children.
Well there is another group of New Yorkers that I consider to be Giants and the true heroes of this city and country. Who are they? Most people may know one or two but few of our fellow citizens have done what they have done. As of today there are no current NFL players that warrant the title that I bestow on this select class of citizen.
The American Soldier, Marine, Sailor, and Airman has fought and died to free over 31 million Iraqis. The war which they have won was fought for almost 9 years. By war’s end 4,484 of our bravest laid down their lives so that freedom may live.
Today in America far too many young people (age 60 and under) have no clue of what a hero is. They follow sports and American Idol, Tweet and Facebook all day, and complain, complain, complain.
The Obama administration and the Democratic Party foster this behavior because an uninformed electorate is needed to put radical leftists into office. While 8.4% of our fellow citizens are unemployed, millions of others watch Madonna acting like a damn fool during halftime.
Barack “Nero” Obama fiddles while Rome burns and the masses are content with occupying their time with bread and circuses.
Needless to say, I will not be attending the parade to worship the faux heroes known as the NY (NJ actually) Giants. I call on Mayor Bloomberg to reconsider his position on holding a parade in the “Canyon of Heroes” for our returning Iraq veterans.
If you agree, pass this on. Feel free to comment below.
Right on!
ReplyDeleteSo true!
ReplyDeletewhile i feel that there is nothing wrong with celebrating an american sports victory because sports is one of the major components of the "American way", it really is a sad day and age where there was no major celebration or parade for the service men and women who have fought and given their life in the name of america. politics is to blame for that. our politicians are the reason for the over-pouring amount of political correctness people feel they need to display because they are scared to lose a vote. professional athletes aren't to blame here.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Carl.
ReplyDeleteI watched the game and had a blast. Just find it odd that Mayor Bloomberg and our worthless City Council can't put together a parade in the "Canyon of Heroes" for a victorious military returning home from war.
Well said Russell! I agree 100%!
ReplyDeleteWell said, as always Russell. I sometimes wonder if all the people that complain actually took some actions what would happen. I also agree that there is nothing wrong with looking up to and/or admiring a sports figure or celebrity but they are in no way heroes.
ReplyDeleteRussell, isn't the reason most veterans' groups and active duty personnel hesitate to endorse a victory/coming home parade for our armed forces is that there still is a war being waged in Afghanistan? They want to wait until ALL our heroes have returned. As far as NFL champions are concerned, they are in no way "heroes". They have provided a very entertaining diversion to their fans. There's nothing wrong with their fans celebrating their sports success. The time for our true heroes will come.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of a single veterans' group that was against holding a parade to welcome home vets returning from Iraq.
ReplyDeleteWith fighting in Afghanistan winding down local NYC National Guard and Reserve Units are not deploying as much as they did. An average Soldier enlists for 3 years. Most will be out of the service when and if NYC decides to ever honor them.
The Iraq War started 2 years after the War in Afghanistan and is a separate conflict.
I respect your view but if we waited for ALL Soldiers to come home from all over the world where they are in danger we would never have a parade for any.
That's right! lately but surely, let's wait till all our troops are home, then we will have our "HEROES PARADE" in the meantime, let the Giants and their fans have their parade, GO GIANTS!!"
ReplyDeleteAt least until the missions are accomplished and congress and the President say is over.
ReplyDeleteur all right and ur all wrong.....why? because, dats ur opinon....
ReplyDeleteOf course someone will question my "patriotic" thoughts and that's ok but.... I have served a couple of tours overseas and have seen things taht are best forgotten. I have made friends with locals and took the time to actually hear what they have to say. I always made it a priority of my soldiers to act professional and only take action when no other option is available. We VOLUNTEERED to join the greatest military in the world and yet we always want more. The reward or recognition is coming home to your loved ones standing in line at the airport. Hugging and kissing my kids as they recount the birthday and christmas that I missed. The ones that did not come home either mentally or physically is detrimental but their name and cause will forever be remembered and recognized. Simply put, we performed our job that we chose and accept the possibility of not returning. What about the Police? Firemen? Social workers who saved the life of a child ere at home? Teachers who educate our kids and work harder because most parents do not have time to spend at the table with them going over homework because of dual working parents? We all deserve a praise for what we CHOOSE to do but if you need a parade for you to feel good, you might be in the wrong profession and need to look deeper.
ReplyDeleteLast I checked the NY Giants all chose to be football players as well. I do not accept your premise. LOL
ReplyDeleteFYI- the author of the above comment is a close friend of mine who loves to bust my balls.
it has always been clear since i was a little girl who my hero was. it was my grandfather . first Sergeant James P. Gordon who left 10 brothers and sisters in Leitrum, Ireland to join the US Army. He battled in the Argonne forest in WWI and there was no question about his loyalty to his new country. He worked for the post office and put good meals on the table for his 5 children and 2 grandchildren who had no place to go. My grandfather kept the family together at all costs. Now we have 4 generations of Gordons, O'Haras and Traceys living in brooklyn for the last 100 years!!! Grandpa Gordon, you ARE and have always been my hero!!!
ReplyDeleteCaptain America
ReplyDeleteParade this, Parade that.
Who needs a parade Batman.
The parade is in your mind!
Knowing you made it back in one piece.
To me a Military Parade of any sorts is painful.
I think about all of those that never made it and see their faces in dreams.
To talk about the service is a battle with ones own mind.
What I experienced you could never understand unless you were right there with me.
As I could not understand another military persons story for I was not there with them.
Its better to not say anything and just keep it inside and to yourself.
Sometimes the memories are good for we laughed and had fun as young men do.
Most of the time the pain is deep for you lost your best friend or friends.
Sometimes you had to leave them behind.
This hurts most of all.
I have humor, for I learned it eases the pain.
Just think Batman if it was not for guys like James P. Gordon and all the rest we might not have been here.
Who needs a parade Batman.
Not me.
I am just a man who did what he had to do for his country.
To all the vets out there thanks and do you really need a parade?
Captain American out for a smoke and some good memories.