We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2007 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/06/someone_you_should_meet.html Sun, 03 Aug 2008 16:58:10 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2008 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification 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... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/06/someone_you_should_meet.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/06/someone_you_should_meet.html Thu, 29 Jun 2006 08:14:39 -0600 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. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/06/someone_you_should_meet.html#comment-47238 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/06/someone_you_should_meet.html#comment-47238 Thu, 29 Jun 2006 14:19:55 -0600 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? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/06/someone_you_should_meet.html#comment-47232 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/06/someone_you_should_meet.html#comment-47232 Thu, 29 Jun 2006 11:49:36 -0600 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! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/06/someone_you_should_meet.html#comment-47218 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/06/someone_you_should_meet.html#comment-47218 Thu, 29 Jun 2006 09:01:02 -0600 I walked away with the thought that EVERY soldier who dies is sorely missed, especially by the soldiers they leave behind. So sad. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/06/someone_you_should_meet.html#comment-47216 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2006/06/someone_you_should_meet.html#comment-47216 Thu, 29 Jun 2006 08:47:18 -0600