Comments for Someone you should meet.

Someone you should meet.

2006-06-29T13:14:39Z

The six soldiers walked out to the chopper and lifted Sergeant Lisk's body into it. The door went back up. The helicopter flew away.
The soldiers saluted a final time.

In the darkness, as the sound of the helicopter faded, Colonel MacFarland addressed his soldiers.

"I don't know if this war is worth the life of Terry Lisk, or 10 soldiers, or 2,500 soldiers like him," Colonel MacFarland told his forces. "What I do know is that he did not die alone. He was surrounded by friends.

"A Greek philosopher said that only the dead have seen the end of war," the colonel said. "Only Terry Lisk has seen the end of this war."

The soldiers turned and walked back to their barracks in the darkness. No one said a word.

The NYTimes isn't entirely worthless. Even if I possibly walked away from this story with a different take than they intend. But, maybe not.

Read the rest here. H/t, Cassandra.

Speaking of Cassandra - she had a *lot* more time to put words to the thoughts today on this subject than I did.

Comment from Cassandra on 2006-06-29

2006-06-29T19:19:55Z

I couldn't get it out of my mind. I wasn't going to write about it - that's why I sent it to you. But I couldn't stop thinking about it. I still can't stop.

Comment from Cassandra on 2006-06-29

2006-06-29T16:49:36Z

I read that piece with mixed feelings, John. I was glad for the beauty of the first part. But I had to wonder, as I often do, if any of them really understand how it feels? That most of us hate war, question it, that to stay human we must question it a lot of the time? But that this doesn't necessarily mean you renounce everything your country is trying to do. I wonder. Will they ever understand?

Comment from V29 on 2006-06-29

2006-06-29T14:01:02Z

At Can Tho circa 1970, we would hold a "memorial service". A small pamphlet, some kind words to shepard the fallen on their journey to Fiddlers Green. It was meant to honor those unfortunates and bring solice to we, the remaining. I derived no solice, no peace; only a stark reminder of what my fate could be. I was very angry! It is easier as I age and my anger fades to see the worth of some small ceremony as we send the dead to their rest. They are all sorely missed!

Comment from AFSister on 2006-06-29

2006-06-29T13:47:18Z

I walked away with the thought that EVERY soldier who dies is sorely missed, especially by the soldiers they leave behind. So sad.