PropUSN
04-08-03, 08:39 PM
I am a military history 'buff'. But am partial to the Pacific Theater of operations during WWII.
From the onset of our introduction into the Pacific campaign in 1941 until it's victorious success in 1945, American journalists have brought the war and it's horrors to the people waiting anxiously on the 'homefront'.
Many 'soldier journalists' were right at the front lines taking pictures, talking to the troops, filiming the enemy dying on the battlefield.
These journalists knew of the dangers of being so close to the shooting. And some of them perished in the process of showing many of us what it was like, the carnage, the destruction, the heartbreak of battle firsthand. And we, Americans, didn't think twice about the journalists who gave the ulitimate sacrifice in bringing the news to us.
Oh yes, they were remembered, and honoured for their bravery and stoic heroism in letting us know what it was like. Many of these same were given posthumous medals of courage and honor.
So it was for Korea, Viet Nam, Samalia, Panama. We knew some died, some were not heard from again.
Now we have Iraq. The news, CNN, Fox, MSNBC show us our 'imbedded' journalists talking to our soldiers, filming the battles, showing us the horror of war.
I know these journalists of todays battles know the inherent dangers of going into combat with the military. I'm sure they know the possibilities of being wounded, or heaven forbid even killed doing what they are trained to do. And that is to bring us the horrors and heroes of war.
We have been inundated by reports from Jeraldo Riveira, and many of the 100's of reporters giving us ringside seats to the fighting in downtown Baghdad.
I admit, I find it fascinating to watch the battle in 'real time'. Something that I have not witnessed firsthand.
I am proud of all our troops and of the British troops who are at this moment going in harms way.
Now, I say this to those that will treat the reports of journalists that have died in Iraq as barbarism, terrible military mistakes, blunders, even bad errors of the commanders in the field.
They knew the risks.......they knew what might happen........they knew the consequences of 'being in the wrong place...at the wrong time'.
Let them rest in peace......and let us pray for their families. And we are saddened by their loss.
But, they knew the risks.
God Bless our troops.......God Bless America.
William Propsner USN
From the onset of our introduction into the Pacific campaign in 1941 until it's victorious success in 1945, American journalists have brought the war and it's horrors to the people waiting anxiously on the 'homefront'.
Many 'soldier journalists' were right at the front lines taking pictures, talking to the troops, filiming the enemy dying on the battlefield.
These journalists knew of the dangers of being so close to the shooting. And some of them perished in the process of showing many of us what it was like, the carnage, the destruction, the heartbreak of battle firsthand. And we, Americans, didn't think twice about the journalists who gave the ulitimate sacrifice in bringing the news to us.
Oh yes, they were remembered, and honoured for their bravery and stoic heroism in letting us know what it was like. Many of these same were given posthumous medals of courage and honor.
So it was for Korea, Viet Nam, Samalia, Panama. We knew some died, some were not heard from again.
Now we have Iraq. The news, CNN, Fox, MSNBC show us our 'imbedded' journalists talking to our soldiers, filming the battles, showing us the horror of war.
I know these journalists of todays battles know the inherent dangers of going into combat with the military. I'm sure they know the possibilities of being wounded, or heaven forbid even killed doing what they are trained to do. And that is to bring us the horrors and heroes of war.
We have been inundated by reports from Jeraldo Riveira, and many of the 100's of reporters giving us ringside seats to the fighting in downtown Baghdad.
I admit, I find it fascinating to watch the battle in 'real time'. Something that I have not witnessed firsthand.
I am proud of all our troops and of the British troops who are at this moment going in harms way.
Now, I say this to those that will treat the reports of journalists that have died in Iraq as barbarism, terrible military mistakes, blunders, even bad errors of the commanders in the field.
They knew the risks.......they knew what might happen........they knew the consequences of 'being in the wrong place...at the wrong time'.
Let them rest in peace......and let us pray for their families. And we are saddened by their loss.
But, they knew the risks.
God Bless our troops.......God Bless America.
William Propsner USN