Martin Sheen has long been a favorite whipping-boy of the rabid right. This staunch Catholic with more than twenty years of peaceful activism to his credit has been called a "traitor," a "moron" and a "Hollywood-hypocrite." So what did I find out about this America-hating liberal while reading the letters to the editor in
Stars and Stripes?
I am writing in regard to the "Feedback" column that appeared in Stars and Stripes' July 10 Scene magazine (European edition). It asked soldiers who annoys them most. One soldier replied that actor Martin Sheen annoys him. [...]
It is important for our fellow soldiers to know that Sheen, along with many other celebrities, wholeheartedly support the troops, though they may not support the ideals of this particular war. I felt my morale lifting by discovering this simple fact.
To have your morale lifted in a world filled with so much news of death, destruction and lies, read on...
As written by Sgt. Frank Tallini:
While deployed with the 1st Infantry Division from February 2004 until February 2005, my free time was spent writing to celebrities in the hopes that I might receive a reply. The first response I received was an autographed picture, several DVDs and an extremely supportive letter from Sheen. In his letter of support, he also asked if there was anything at all he could do for me. I replied via post that I would like him to call my father. When I called home a few weeks later, my father excitedly exclaimed that he received several calls from Sheen in which they spoke for no less than 30 minutes each time.
Throughout the deployment, I received correspondence as well as packages from Sheen, typically every week or so. He also sent my entire family, to include extended family, gifts during the holidays.
When my platoon returned from Iraq, Sheen invited me to the set of "The West Wing."
Although I have been back in Germany for several months now, I still receive regular correspondence from him.
A simple story that perhaps isn't important in the grand scheme of world events...but I think it is important because it's one more little story that shows what "supporting the troops" really means. It highlights the difference between mouthing catch-phrases and caring about our servicemen and women. As I read Sgt. Tallini's letter, I couldn't help comparing what Martin Sheen did with a radio station's plans to give away free food and drink at an anti-Cindy rally...can someone remind me? Which action shows true support for our troops?