Support for our people

Note: The following article contains information that was found to be untrue. The existence of Kodee and Dan Hennings, and Colleen Hastings was a hoax. 

Click to Read, DE duped in hoax

Jack Piatt
Daily Egyptian

I have heard that I have a couple of readers in Iraq serving with the 101st Airborne Division. Considering this will be mailed out to the unit at the end of this week, I would like to say hello to you over there. I would like to personally thank you for your service and dedication. As a former sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division, I hold the highest respect for all of you. Even though you are oceans away and so far from friends and family ... you are not forgotten.

I haven't really touched this subject in the past, because it is a sensitive one to many people. War is never something easily swallowed, and there will always be people protesting and challenging it. That is completely OK, because that is what this country is built on: the freedom to protest what you don't believe in. I am not going to spend anymore time dealing with the issue of war and our government's decision making. My opinion really doesn't amount to anything when it is all said and done.

The truth is, war is a tragic situation, and peace should always be strived for, but as history consistently repeats itself, there inevitably will continue to be wars. Instead of arguing whether we should be involved in a war or whether people who protest war are not patriotic, I would rather focus on the men and women who, despite who is wrong or right, are currently in a place devoid of the privileges we as Americans hold dear to us every day.

Despite what you believe, if you are for war or against it, it is irrelevant when it comes to the people who are sleeping in a lonely desert at night to do their job. The fact is these people are our people. They are our brothers and sisters, some are fathers and mothers. They have lives here just the same as the rest of us, and I guarantee they would love to be home right now enjoying the blanket of peace.

Men like Staff Sergeant Dan Kennings, whose little girl Kodee doesn't understand why her dad has to be so far away from her. But the wonderful thing about that 8-year-old little girl is that even though she doesn't understand war like many of the rest of us, she does understand love. She understands that whatever the reason her dad has to be away, she will do the only thing in her power while he is gone ... support, love and pray for him.

We should take a lesson from her and realize no matter what the situation, whether it is local issues or war, we have to take care of the most important thing within our reach ... each other. We have to let these brave men and women know we support them and care for them. Even if you are against the war, don't turn your back on the people who are face to face with it. They are individuals, who alone did not start or dream up the war. They are simply the people who have to deal with it so the rest of us don't have to.

I am sure some will say if we didn't take part in this war they wouldn't have to deal with it. Well, if that is the case, then send a letter to our wonderful government. But on another note, a humane and loving one ... how about sending a letter to the 19-year-old soldier who wanted a new life and joined the Army to get money for college and now has a rifle in hand praying this hell will soon be over. Let them know they are thought of and appreciated.

Wars will come and go, my friends. It is etched in the timelines of our history and will unfortunately continue to be as long as there are people in the world who have mini-refrigerators where their hearts should be. The only thing the rest of us can do is be good to one another.

"Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together try to love one another right now." (Chet Powers)

Piattology appears every other Tuesday. Jack is a senior in advertising. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Egyptian.

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