A Soldier's Last Words and Advice to American Voters

[deltecs]

A SOLDIER'S LAST WORDS -- by Louisa Centanni SGT. Edmund John Jeffersʼ last few words were some of the most touching, inspiring and most truthful words spoken since the tragedy of 9/11 - and since our nation went to war.

SGT. Jeffers was a strong soldier and talented writer. He died in Iraq on September 19, 2007. He was a loving husband, brother and son. His service was more than this country could ever grasp, but the least you can do for the man who sacrificed his life for you is listen to what he had to say. To all of the Cindy Sheehans and Al Frankens of the world, to MSNBC, CNN, and CBS, to all who call themselves Americans, LISTEN UP AND PAY ATTENTION!

Hope Rides Alone by Eddie Jeffers.--  I stare out into the darkness from my post, and I watch the city burn to the ground. I smell the familiar smells, I walk through the familiar rubble and I look at the frightened faces that watch me pass down the streets of their neighborhoods.

My nerves hardly rest; my hands are steady on a device that has been given to me from my government for the purpose of taking the lives of others. I sweat and I am tired. My back aches from the loads I carry. Young American boys look to me to direct them in a manner that will someday allow them to see their families again. And yet, I too, am just a boy. My age not but a few years more than that of the ones I lead. I am stressed, I am scared, and I am paranoid... because death is everywhere.  It waits for me, it calls to me from around street corners and windows. It is always there.

There are the demons that follow me, and tempt me into thoughts and actions that are not my own, but that are necessary for survival.

I've made compromises with my humanity. I am not alone in this. Miles from me are my brethren in this world, who walk in the same streets... who feel the same things, whether they admit to it or not.

And to think...I volunteered for this. And I am ignorant to the rest of the world...or so I thought.

But even thousands of miles away, in Ramadi , Iraq , the cries and screams and complaints of the ungrateful reach me. In a year, I will be thrust back into society from a life and mentality that doesn't fit your average man.

And then, I will be alone.

And then, I will walk down the streets of America and see the yellow ribbon stickers on the cars of the same people who compare our President to Hitler.

I will watch the television and watch the Cindy Sheehans, and the Al Frankens, and the rest of the ignorant sheep of America spout off their mouths about a subject they know nothing about.

It is their right, however, and it is a right that is defended by hundreds of thousands of boys and girls scattered across the world, far from home. I use the word boys and girls, because that's what they are. In the Army, the average age of the infantryman is nineteen years old.  The average rank of soldiers killed in action is Private First Class.

People like Cindy Sheehan are ignorant. Not just to this war, but to the results of their idiotic ramblings or, at least, I hope they are. They don't realize its effects on this war.

In this war, there are no Geneva Conventions, no cease fires. Medics and Chaplains are not spared from the enemy's brutality because it's against t the rules. I can only imagine the horrors a military Chaplain would experience at the hands of the enemy.

The enemy slinks in the shadows and fights a coward's war against us. It is effective though, as many men and women have died since the start of this war. And the memory of their service to America is tainted by the inconsiderate remarks on our nation's news outlets.

And every day, the enemy changes...only now, the enemy is becoming something new.
The enemy is transitioning from the Muslim extremists to Americans. The enemy is becoming the very people whom we defend with our lives and they do not realize it.

But in denouncing our actions, denouncing our leaders, denouncing the war we live and fight, they are isolating the military from society and they are becoming our enemy.

The Senate Democrats and peace activists like to toss the word 'quagmire' around and compare this war to Vietnam .  In a way they are right, this war is becoming like Vietnam.  Not the actual war, but in the isolation of country and military.

America is not a nation at war. They are a nation with its military at war. Like it or not, we are here, some of us for our second, or third times; some even for their fourth and so on.

Americans are so concerned now with politics that it is interfering with our war.

Terrorists cut the heads off of American citizens on the Internet. There is no outrage; but an American soldier kills an Iraqi in the midst of battle, and there are investigations, and sometimes soldiers are even jailed for doing their job.

It is absolutely sickening to me to think our country has come to this .  Why are we so obsessed with the bad news? Why will people stop at nothing to be against this war, no matter how much evidence of the good we've done is thrown in their face?

When is the last time CNN or MSNBC or CBS reported the opening of schools and hospitals in Iraq?  Or the leaders of terror cells being detained or killed?

It's all happening, but people will not let up their hatred of Bush. They will ignore the good news, because it just might show people that Bush was right.

America has lost its will to fight. It has lost its will to defend what is right and just in the world.

The crazy thing of it all is that the American people have not even been asked to sacrifice a single thing.  It's not like World War Two, where people rationed food, and turned in cars to be made into metal for tanks.

The American people have not been asked to sacrifice anything. Unless you are in the military or the family member of a service member, it's life as usual. The war doesn't affect you.
But it affects us.

And when it is over, and the troops come home, and they try to piece together what's left of them after their service...where will the detractors be then?

Where will the Cindy Sheehans be to comfort and talk to soldiers and help them sort out the last couple years of their lives, most of which have been spent dodging death and wading through the deaths of their friends?

They will be where they always are, somewhere far away, where the horrors of the world can't touch them. Somewhere where they can complain about things they will never experience in their lifetime; things that the young men and women of America have willingly taken upon their shoulders.

We are the hope of the Iraqi people. They want what everyone else wants in life: safety, security, somewhere to call home. They want a country that is safe to raise their children in. Not a place where their children will be abducted, raped and murdered if they do not comply with the terrorists' demand. They want to live on, rebuild and prosper. And America has given them the opportunity, but only if we stay true to the cause, and see it to its end.

The country must unite in this endeavor . We cannot place the burden on our military alone.  We must all stand up and fight, whether in uniform or not. And supporting us is more than sticking yellow ribbon stickers on your cars.

It's supporting our President, our troops and our cause. Right now, the burden is all on the American soldiers. Right now, hope rides alone.

But it can change, it must change. Because there is only failure and darkness ahead for us as a country and as a people if it doesn't.

Let's stop all the political nonsense; let's stop all the bickering; let's stop all the bad news; and let's stand and fight!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eddie's father, David Jeffers, writes:ʼ Iʼm not sure how many letters or articles you've ever read from the genre of 'News from the Front,ʼ but this is one of the best I've ever read, including all of America's wars. As I was reading this, I forgot that it was my son who had written it. My emotions range from great pride to great sorrow, knowing that my little boy (22 years old) has become this man.  He is my hero.

'God bless.'  +++++++++++++++++++++++++Though Eddie is no longer with us, you can help to let his voice be heard by sharing his message.  God help us if we don't take time to listen!

These brave and valiant men will have died and been wounded for nought, if Obama becomes President and retreats from Iraq, regardless of the reasons for invasion.   SGT. Jeffers salient points were that maybe, just maybe, Bush Jr was correct.  And Americans must unite behind our military, not just pay lip service to supporting it.  Just maybe, some of us arm chair generals don't know as much as we'd like to think we do.  I know some, who have posted here, should have more skepticism about their conclusions. 

[phalanx]

That is a good article deltecs , i heard that read aloud by a Veteran at a march against the smearing of our troops by our own Congress in the way they portray the war.
Some of the Vets said the way things are going here , they hoped the America the Troops come home to is the same one they left.

[ironglow]

  Good article Deltecs; it is the same basic theme I hear from the many veterans I know on a personal level.
  They have walked that walk. I have had such conversations with several that attend our small, local, country
  church, and new veterans are just now starting to come into our local American Legion post. Each of these
  young troops are not the same teenager that left for combat ! In my estimation, they are the "cream of the crop"
  of our newest adult generation.
  They are the brave..so we can be the free..volunteers in service to the survival of this greatest nation on the
  face of the earth !
  I give credit to the many of that same generation who are studying hard for advanced degrees in universities
  across the nation, although such is usually an effort wholly to benefit self. Today's warrior, those that proudly
  wear the CBI badge..are a special class of courage and self sacrifice. Those that have shunned such service will
  never quite understand those who "volunteered"..they operate on a different personal and commitment plane.
   That includes 2 brothers who were raised in the house next to me, both Army men.
     
   Though the story is repeated thousands of times by this latest generation of veterans, I shall state what I
  observed  through the journey my grandson  has taken...
      My own grandson left home an 18 year old HS grad. Moved by the 9/11 attack and continuing cruelty of
  the Islamofascists around the world, he signed up with the Marines. He did his "boot' training at Parris Island,
  then Camp Lejeune and on to Aberdeen P.G. for advanced weapons specialty.
   Soon enough he landed in Al Anbar province (Special Operations).I like to joke about how he got his most
  enduring educational experiences at "City College of Ramadi" and the university of "Fallujah on the Euphrates".
   Heavy combat nearly every day..
      Things improved greatly during his second deployment, after the start of the "surge"..the man's name was
  definitely NOT "Gen Betrayus"..he knew more than all the "arm chair generals" across the world.
   A word from him and his fellow Marine veterans..Pay no attention to current Hollywood versions of combat,
   or the troops involved. The Marines viewed the movie "Jarhead" aboard ship on the way back from his first
  deployment.They laughed nearly all through the film, because it was so ridiculous.
   If one wants a better picture, there are plenty of real clips on    www.youtube.com/ , just do a search for
  "fight for Fallujah".."ambush" or any of a number of words or titles . Even then, the heaviest action is rarely shown,
  since most troops are too busy then with M4s, SAW guns or grenades to be handling a video cam.

   In any case, my grandson is back where it all started..at Parris Island..now 23 yrs old and a Marine Platoon Sgt.
  Over his left shirt pocket is enough "fruit salad" to look like Granny's patchwork quilt..topped by his earned
  CBI badge. But more importantly, he is training a new generation of Marines how to effectively defeat the enemy
  and remain alive in the process..

[deltecs]

I think it is time again for our candidates to remember the silent majority.  It is these dedicated and volunteers that understand the effects of global terrorism, dedication to the constructionist and Constitutional principles, and self that may yet turn this nation back to where we should be heading.  My salutation for your grandsons dedication and for all those, who have and still, serve our country. 

[ironglow]

  Thank you, and a "right on..thumbs up" Deltecs..