Monday, February 3, 2014

DO THEY PLAY TAPS FOR FALLEN SUPERBOWL HEROES?

While watching the combatants on the field of the Super Bowl today I was almost forcefully taken down a different path after the end of the game.

From my era some served. Vietnam, Germany, Turkey, Japan, etc. In our memories of today we share a commonality of experience coming out of our past. Basic and advanced training, assignments, and the military mind with the imbedded oxymoron projected to military intelligence. Those of us who served generally do not talk about our experiences to "outsiders."

Do They Play Taps For Fallen Superbowl Heroes?

When I hear the term "band of brothers" it has real meaning. I am reminded of the classic question, "what does salt taste like?" For those of us who have experienced salt, we understand. Likewise, for those of us who have experienced the military, we understand as well.

The empathy we hold one for another who have served creates a bond sometimes greater than the friendships shared with our classmates from yesteryear and our loves of today. Again, we do not generally talk about it. When a fallen hero is brought home underneath a draped American flag, we do not cry. We stand at attention, head bowed, understanding.

 A march to taps.

We do curse the bees that sting us in the eye. We do not apologize for the bleeding tears. Our hearts are torn by the loss of those who served Liberty for Freedom paying the ultimate price.  There are those who in their political activity and special interest agenda violate those who morn. We are angered. As the last trumpet note rings out over an  army of the past we again raise our heads, trying to wipe our eyes for the last time. At least the last time for that day.


Sometimes before the burial, sometimes after, the media in their haste to be the first compound the building travesty, shoving the microphone in the face of family, loved ones, and others who morn asking "how do you feel?" "How do you feel?" Reminds me of the question, "What does salt taste like?"


For those of you who have served I speak in sophisticated military terms: To those with the microphones I think, "#uck you. Serve and find out!" We all relate to the tragedy, the emotional pain. But to lose one of our comrades who has served for Liberty in the name of Freedom, the pain of the loss belongs to the family of the fallen and our band of brothers.  Media personalities cannot ask the real meaningful questions because they have not paid the real price in commitment to fundamental and inalienable rights already bought and paid for in the blood of patriots. If they were the exception in having paid that price they would not ask the question.



To close the circle I turn back to the Super Bowl. Not one woman today was seen robed in the uniform of a combatant. I am offended by a media in its political correctness fostering upon we the viewers people who at their core have not paid any price for the right to blither and blather. But then, it is just a game. And in this game we can see projected the real American value system. 


2 comments:

  1. You need to write about the Dangling Carrot syndrome. The Government believes that if they give thanks on such a small scale that it will lead to the American public believing that they really care. In order to shine light on the new wave of Vets they had to repent a bit for the past. Didn't fool me. They didn't care then and they don't care now. Most organizations that help with The Healing Process are not Government funded.

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  2. Reminds me of a fundamental thought based on an inalienable right to express it: We know them by what they do.

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