Let's Stop This War Before More Heroes Are Killed

[kliljedahl]

By Paul E. Schroeder The Washington Post
Wednesday, January 4, 2006

Early on Aug. 3, 2005, we heard that 14 Marines had been killed in Haditha, Iraq. Our son, Lance Cpl. Edward ``Augie'' Schroeder II, was stationed there. At 10:45 a.m. two Marines showed up at our door. After collecting himself for what was clearly painful duty, the lieutenant colonel said, ``Your son is a true American hero.''

Since then, two reactions to Augie's death have compounded the sadness.

At times like this, people say, ``He died a hero.'' I know this is meant with great sincerity. We appreciate the many condolences we have received and how helpful they have been. But when heard repeatedly, the phrases ``he died a hero'' or ``he died a patriot'' or ``he died for his country'' rub raw.

``People think that if they say that, somehow it makes it OK that he died,'' our daughter, Amanda, has said. ``He was a hero before he died, not just because he went to Iraq. I was proud of him before, and being a patriot doesn't make his death OK. I'm glad he got so much respect at his funeral, but that didn't make it OK either.''

The words ``hero'' and ``patriot'' focus on the death, not the life. They are a flag-draped mask covering the truth that few want to acknowledge openly: Death in battle is tragic no matter what the reasons for the war. The tragedy is the life that was lost, not the manner of death. Families of dead soldiers on both sides of the battle line know this. Those without family in the war don't appreciate the difference.

This leads to the second reaction. Since August we have witnessed growing opposition to the Iraq war, but it is often whispered, hands covering mouths, as if it is dangerous to speak too loudly. Others discuss the never-ending cycle of death in places such as Haditha in academic and sometimes clinical fashion, as in ``the increasing lethality of improvised explosive devices.''

Listen to the kinds of things that most Americans don't have to experience:



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[sandyd921]

1. Thank you

The words of family members who have lost sons and daughters, husbands and wives, and sisters and brothers are the most powerful testimony to the utter futility and tragedy of this war!

[Individualist]

2. Hear, hear

Paul Schroeder has the courage to face the truth. In my part of the country (heavily repug), it seems all relatives of KIA's say things like "he died protecting our freedom", "he was a hero", etc. When I hear these things on local newscasts, I cringe, especially the delusional "protecting our freedom". While I sincerely pity these people who have lost relatives to this invasion, the fact is that they're in denial. They simply can't face the fact that their relative died because of the cabal's lies, greed, and lust for power. Mr. Schroeder is clearly a man who respected his son too much to utter such platitudes.

[kliljedahl]

3. Just what is a "hero" anyway?

Keith’s Barbeque Central

[zippy890]

4. I wonder about that

Is a person a hero because they died in a US military uniform in Iraq? Because they were naive and trusting in their government that they were going to fight a 'noble' cause which was a lie?

They are brave, they should be honored.

Their family and friends would be justified in screaming bloody murder at OUR GOVERNMENT that sent them to die in a poorly planned misguided war where their chances of being victorious was undermined from the beginning by the people that sent them there.

What is a 'hero'? a word that makes people feel better.

[kliljedahl]

12. A word so overused it is meaningless now

Keith’s Barbeque Central

[kliljedahl]

18. Kick

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[kliljedahl]

21. Another kick

Keith’s Barbeque Central

[katinmn]

5. K&N

Heartbreaking and utterly frustrating.

This war has nothing to do with freedom.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

6. Kicked !!

:kick:

[babylonsister]

7. So terribly sad, but I'm glad the WaPo addressed this:

From the end of the article:
"Though it hurts, I believe that his death--and that of the other Americans who have died in Iraq--was a waste. They were wasted in a belief that democracy would grow simply by removing a dictator--a careless misunderstanding of what democracy requires. They were wasted by not sending enough troops to do the job needed in the resulting occupation--a careless disregard for professional military counsel.

But their deaths will not be in vain if Americans stop hiding behind flag-draped hero masks and stop whispering their opposition to this war. Until then, the lives of other sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers and mothers may be wasted as well.

This is very painful to acknowledge, and I have to live with it. So does President Bush."

That last sentence, 'So does President Bush.' makes me spitting mad. I have no confidence that
any of these deaths have affected dimson, and I'll bet, it's only a passing thought if he gives
any thought at all. :grr:

[lonestarnot]

8. Can't be all you can be when you're dead!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

9. ...

No words can express what I feel right now. :mad: :cry: :mad: :cry: :mad: :cry: :mad: :cry:

[kliljedahl]

20. It's beyond words

Keith’s Barbeque Central

[bigtree]

10. Cindy Sheehan

said that she didn't want her son to die in vain, so she campaigns to end the war on his behalf so that his name can stand for peace. Paul E. Schroeder's son will get that compliment, despite the tragedy of his lost life.

[Cults4Bush]

15. and that is what people should focus on, even if you don't like them

to deny them this cause is the epitomy of callousness.

When I see people try to tear her down every once in a while around here, it just pisses me off no end. They usually go on ignore or alert or both.

Ive seen you k&r a lot of the Cindy posts and your support is awesome and noted ( at least by me)... thank you!

[leftchick]

11. excellent

I hate hearing "they died for our country". No way, they died for corporate greed and insane neofreak fantasies.

:(

[RJnAbbysNana]

13. Kicked!

Excellent article!

Regards,

RJnAbbysNana

[butterfly77]

14. What do you think when they say they have to keep the war...

going or the soldiers will have died in vain like in vietnam.

[Cults4Bush]

16. I think the soldiers wont have died in vain if their deaths are used to

end this monstrosity.

[gratuitous]

17. I think they're already dying in vain

And Vietnam has nothing to do with what's going on in Iraq, the major difference being that Bush had a plan for getting out of Vietnam.

[welshTerrier2]

19. up for another year (or more) of this madness??

that's more-or-less what Senate Dems are calling for!!

and after another year or two of more tragedies in Iraq, the country, actually either country, will be no better off ...

madness has truly taken hold ...

[dogday]

22. My Hero is over there right now

He isn't my hero because he is over there, it is despite it. He has always been my hero, my first born Son.

[kliljedahl]

23. I know

and my thoughts are with you and him.



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