Chuck Fattig sent this out.
--- On Mon, 7/14/08, Chuck Fattig <cfattig@aol.com> wrote:

All:  As you know, I do not forward E-mails...This one is an exception to that rule.
Semper Fi

Chuck Fattig
Director ALR
Post #3
Lincoln, NE.

 

 

A Soldier's Last Words "Hope Rides Alone"

Introduction by Louisa Centanni

 
SGT. Edmund John Jeffers? 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. Listen up and pay attention. To all of the Cindy Sheehans and Al Frankens of the world. To MSNBC, CNN, NBC, ABC and CBS. To all who call themselves Americans. 

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, they say they support us, but they really don't and we know it.
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. Freedom for the oppressed doesn't enter their minds. 
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 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 and the media who hate the military. 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 Congressional 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. Our own press ignore our success stories that we take so much pride in.
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. This is the only time in history where the media has destroyed a President during a war with the biased reporting.
America has lost its will to fight. It has lost its will to defend what is right and just in the world. It has forgotten what we stand for, "FREEDOM FOR ALL!"
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 who claim to be supporters 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. Where is our American support now?
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 for freedom for all! As of now, hope rides alone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eddie's father, David Jeffers, writes:  'I'm not sure how many letters or articles you've ever read from the genre of 'News from the Front,'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!

 

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As Legionaires I'm sure the words and thoughts above will be familiar to many of you. Most of you had the same feelings while standing your ground on a foriegn shore. It felt that the people you were fighting for didn't care. At that young age it is easy to feel like you and yours are alone in the world so far from home. The important thing is that when the time came you stood your ground and fought for something the people there could not yet understand -- freedom. They called it an unconventional war the media putting a label on something ugly to hide it. I apologoize if it brings back thoughts you would rather forget. Many of you felt the impact of the war protesters back home, the speed of media today brings it to the front lines. I'm happy to say today most of the younger generation will ask Cindy who? her media blitz had it's run and faded. He was right just putting a yellow ribbon magnet on your car is not enough; people need to get involved. As veterans we need to show them how and give them the opportunity.  

This message shows us why it is so important that these young soldiers get to know their fellow veterans. I wish this young man had known hope does not ride alone today. Actions speak louder than words.  

Hope rides with the American Legion / Riders suppporting the families of the troops and veterans causes.  

Hope rides with the Patriot Guard Riders showing respect and showing the next generation the proper way to honor their heroes and veterans.  

Hope rides in the hearts of the law enforcement officers that volunteer thier time to  make our motorcycle events safe.  

Hope rides in the hearts of the people that are going to the airports around the country to show the troops they care. They are making an effort to be there out of respect. One retired person started that effort and it has grown.  

Hope rides in the hearts of those that volunteer at the DAV/ USO/ and other fine organizations working to support our troops.  

Hope rides in every home or business that proudly displays the American Flag and honors this great nation. Do you shop at a store that does not?  

Hope rides in the heart of every patriotic American that volunteers time or money to help the troops or veterans causes.  

Hope rides in every one of the care packages sent to the troops. (South Omaha Post 331 sent 230 this weekend) 

Hope rides in each of the letters written by the children in the local schools sent to the troops, (two in every care package sent by post 331 this weekend).  

Hope rides in the hearts of the businesses and business owners that donated so freely for the soldiers causes.  

Hope rides in the heart of the farmer that lost his son or daughter to the war on terroism, they have their entire community on their side. We get to see them all lining the roads with their flags waving wildly as the long lines of motorcycle riders come to pay respect.  

Hope rides in the hearts of the union workers that donated to have the graffitti cleaned off the airborne veterans monument.  

Hope rides in every dollar collected for the legacy scholarship fund for the children of our fallen heroes in the war on terror.   

Pray for our troops it's all about them or we would have no US.  

Commander Clay-American Legion Riders-Omaha, NE