Today, rather than froth on about the significance of this day, I'm going to SIS. My friend, Sandra D. wrote something that I genuinely believe is more powerful than anything I could think about saying today. So, without further ado - thanks, Sandra, for letting me SIS from you.
From Where I Sit
By Sandra Hudson
I heard the news while sitting at Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C. It seems the saga of Michael Jackson’s death will be with us for a long time. And while I have been both a fan early-on and a skeptic in recent years, amid the unfolding drama I feel indifferent to the news.
That sentiment was predicated by events three days earlier at another airport.
Arriving at Atlanta’s Hartsfield International, with more than two hours between flights, I am in no hurry to grab my bags and dash through the cabin.
Movement outside my window seat catches my eye.
Stoic and in full dress uniform, an Army Staff Sergeant marches toward the baggage handler. My heart drops. This is a Hero Flight.
Seated directly above the conveyor belt, I watch the long, cardboard-covered box drift slowly from the aircraft belly. The NCO, bearing his own purple heart, vigilantly renders honors.
It’s the only motion I can see on the silenced tarmac of one of the busiest airports in the world.
Embedded in my mind’s eye forever, a flag detail hovers while a crew slides the box into a special carrier.
As the Soldier signs papers and receives final instructions, the cart pulls away. The flight line returns to its harried pace.
That day, an Air Force Staff Sergeant made his final journey back home, to North Dakota. I know this because I could see his rank and destination written on the box.
This Fourth of July, in the nation’s heartland, a family mourns the loss of a son.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, a nation continues taking steps closer to the Independence he helped enforce.
And here in Savannah, between the hot dogs and fireworks, I’ll take a few moments to remember the unknown Airman, now a celebrity in my heart.
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3 comments:
Thank you for quoting .. sis'ing, whatever you did ... that was a great piece!
This unknown soldier - and all his comrades - are the true heroes, supporting our freedom and fighting to help others achieve freedom. Thank you Sandra Hudson for saying what so many of us have been thinking all week.
I have refused to watch the revisionist history of MJ on TV - especially today at the spectacle in Staples Stadium. A talented musician he was - a great American hero he definately was NOT!
DeDE,
Thanks for SISing me. Just received an e-mail with the same sentiment as my original story.
Although I can't confirm the author, the message rings true.
Sandra D.
I was just watching the news, and I caught part of a report on Michael Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made millions, he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villain to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't the point of my rant.
Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of America loses their
minds with grief. When a man dies whose only contribution to the
country was to ENTERTAIN people, the American people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood, and even Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?
Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all of a sudden he's a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few decades? What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the Constitution and the United States of America. Where is their moment of silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials and mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddance," and "thank God for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the
sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off
their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop
Icon?"
I think that if they are going to hold a moment of silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the American people can live their callous little lives in the luxory and freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on, have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time, because there have
been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only shed our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.
Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it. Feel free to pass this along if you want.
Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is
serving in the military;
"So that others may live..."
Isaac
Only two people have ever effectively given their lives for you. Jesus Christ and The American G.I. One died for your sins, the other died to give you freedom.
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