thedrifter
01-03-09, 07:59 PM
Posted on Sat, Jan. 03, 2009
Soldiers often the best humanitarians, too
By Joe Roche
There is dignity and honor when an American soldier stands on the front lines, whether in the desert, mountains, jungle or a metropolis. That individual is the furthest reach of our ambitions, our resolve, our values, your character as a nation. That lone individual, often young, is representing America and defending our interests, putting his or her life on the line to do good.
It isn't about power, weapons and combat. Our mission here in Iraq is reaching achievements that are noble and full of courage. We came here to liberate a people long oppressed and traumatized by some of humanity's worst vices. Decades of broken promises made to the Arab people in their long struggle for self-determination crippled the trust of Iraqis. They were then assaulted by a horrendous terrorist offensive that killed and maimed 20 times more than we Americans ever experienced. Yet, together we remained committed and focused.
Now Iraq is showing the world, it's neighbors (which include the region's most important countries), and each Iraqi child what selfless service, courage and principle can achieve. It can be done, yes, and we the American military have done it with our Iraqi allies.
We didn't come here merely to fight. Rather, ours was also the world largest humanitarian mission. No charity in the world could ever achieve the good and lasting work we do.
For years only news of fighting and terrorism was reported. Behind that news is finally emerging the great accomplishment of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This is a nation growing together in self-determination. The projects for re-building Iraq after the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein are giving hope and inspiration not only to a new generation of Iraqis but are also inspiring reformist movements throughout the Arab world.
Even the British Broadcasting Corporation surprisingly discovered this. It has been harshly critical of everything we have been doing here.
However, recently the BBC aired a report on how Iraqi children, who used to draw graphic pictures of violence and bloodshed, now paint happy pictures of families and inspirational things showing love and hope. This is a change that Iraqi teachers say shows the new optimism.
Last year I sat in on a class at Asbury College in Wilmore. The students were talking about how they wanted to do work to help people in need. They mentioned ideas like working for the United Nations. I remember thinking how it is the United States Armed Forces that actually does the best humanitarian work.
Now that I'm deployed again, I'm seeing this anew. No charity comes close to what we do, especially the United Nations. I've seen many UN operations and they often include sexual exploitation, drugs and other crimes because of the character of UN soldiers. Of the money given to the UN, very little actually ever goes to helping the needy, and they are often victimized by those very UN soldiers. Name a prosperous country resulting from a UN mission.
In contrast, American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are of a much different caliber. We volunteer and serve a noble country with virtuous ideals. When disasters strike, it is the U.S. military that brings the most assistance. Even in war, look at those countries we have conquered, such as Germany, Japan and Italy. Their prosperity since is no accident.
Every couple of months the Navy and Marines engage in major humanitarian missions, assisting hundreds of thousands with medical care and other needs all over the world. The Air Force flies in massive assistance.
As American soldiers, we protect friends, allies, civilians and innocents from predators who come in all forms, including terrorists and insurgents who would deny freedom, education and civil liberties.
The American soldier stands in dignity and honor on the front lines every day and night in some of the harshest environments in a dangerous world. You don't have to live with these dangers at home because of us.
Ellie
Soldiers often the best humanitarians, too
By Joe Roche
There is dignity and honor when an American soldier stands on the front lines, whether in the desert, mountains, jungle or a metropolis. That individual is the furthest reach of our ambitions, our resolve, our values, your character as a nation. That lone individual, often young, is representing America and defending our interests, putting his or her life on the line to do good.
It isn't about power, weapons and combat. Our mission here in Iraq is reaching achievements that are noble and full of courage. We came here to liberate a people long oppressed and traumatized by some of humanity's worst vices. Decades of broken promises made to the Arab people in their long struggle for self-determination crippled the trust of Iraqis. They were then assaulted by a horrendous terrorist offensive that killed and maimed 20 times more than we Americans ever experienced. Yet, together we remained committed and focused.
Now Iraq is showing the world, it's neighbors (which include the region's most important countries), and each Iraqi child what selfless service, courage and principle can achieve. It can be done, yes, and we the American military have done it with our Iraqi allies.
We didn't come here merely to fight. Rather, ours was also the world largest humanitarian mission. No charity in the world could ever achieve the good and lasting work we do.
For years only news of fighting and terrorism was reported. Behind that news is finally emerging the great accomplishment of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This is a nation growing together in self-determination. The projects for re-building Iraq after the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein are giving hope and inspiration not only to a new generation of Iraqis but are also inspiring reformist movements throughout the Arab world.
Even the British Broadcasting Corporation surprisingly discovered this. It has been harshly critical of everything we have been doing here.
However, recently the BBC aired a report on how Iraqi children, who used to draw graphic pictures of violence and bloodshed, now paint happy pictures of families and inspirational things showing love and hope. This is a change that Iraqi teachers say shows the new optimism.
Last year I sat in on a class at Asbury College in Wilmore. The students were talking about how they wanted to do work to help people in need. They mentioned ideas like working for the United Nations. I remember thinking how it is the United States Armed Forces that actually does the best humanitarian work.
Now that I'm deployed again, I'm seeing this anew. No charity comes close to what we do, especially the United Nations. I've seen many UN operations and they often include sexual exploitation, drugs and other crimes because of the character of UN soldiers. Of the money given to the UN, very little actually ever goes to helping the needy, and they are often victimized by those very UN soldiers. Name a prosperous country resulting from a UN mission.
In contrast, American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are of a much different caliber. We volunteer and serve a noble country with virtuous ideals. When disasters strike, it is the U.S. military that brings the most assistance. Even in war, look at those countries we have conquered, such as Germany, Japan and Italy. Their prosperity since is no accident.
Every couple of months the Navy and Marines engage in major humanitarian missions, assisting hundreds of thousands with medical care and other needs all over the world. The Air Force flies in massive assistance.
As American soldiers, we protect friends, allies, civilians and innocents from predators who come in all forms, including terrorists and insurgents who would deny freedom, education and civil liberties.
The American soldier stands in dignity and honor on the front lines every day and night in some of the harshest environments in a dangerous world. You don't have to live with these dangers at home because of us.
Ellie