Now, I never thought that most Republicans out there wanted to screw over Iraq war veterens, even if the GOP might be. I figured both Democrats and Republicans could agree that those coming home from Iraq, whether we agree with why they were there or not, demanded and deserved our utmost respect and admiration.
But now I'm beginning to question the loyalty of one Republican clost to me...my own dad.
Dad never served in the military. Nobody still alive in my family has. I had considered signing up five years ago when I turned 18, but he talked me out of it. Sice 9/11, my house has become a shrine of patriotism, flags all over the yard and all over the house. "We Love America" signs everywhere. Even little wood carvings of military personnel on the front lawn.
So I was perhaps most shocked to hear my dad's response to this;
A former Army soldier will be reimbursed after he was required to pay for his equipment when he was wounded in Iraq, a military spokesman said Wednesday.
First Lt. William "Eddie" Rebrook was discharged for medical reasons last week after being injured in Iraq, and the Army said Wednesday he paid about $650 for 18 items that he was issued before going to Iraq.
"Whether procedures weren't followed or the system failed him is currently under investigation," said a written statement issued by a spokesman at Fort Hood in Texas. "What is clear is that this command is going to do the right thing by Lieutenant Rebrook, who is one of our nation's proud veterans."
The statement also said, "There is no question that [Rebrook] should not have to pay for the body armor of his that was destroyed in Iraq."
But that development came after the matter garnered national attention Tuesday when a West Virginia newspaper reported Rebrook's story.
The newspaper account prompted Sen. Robert Byrd, a West Virginia Democrat, to question top military leaders, including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing.
Dad's response;
"The F*ing F*gg*t just wanted to get his name in the newspaper. He wanted to be a celebrity. He's a whiny b*st*rd."
The sheer shock of that comment persuaded me to talk to one of my ultra-conservative Bush-loving Arab-hating liberal-bashing friends of mine, who was himself shocked and appalled by what my father said.
"How could anyone say that about a solider?" my friend asked, "They are America's greatest."
For once I agree with my Republican friend, but not with dad.
Anybody, GOP or Democrat, should see the tragedy of that story. No veteran deserves to be treated that way...and worse yet, it's still happening. Soldiers being charged for meals at Walter Reed Medical Center where they recover from wounds received in war...
You may feel welfare is communism and the New Deal should be completely repealed. (although I don't), but if anyone in this country deserves free anything, it's members of the United States Armed Forces.
Dad is very wealthy and believes anyone with a lower income that him is "below" him, and that people go on welfare and take unemployment because "they're lazy and don't want to work." He says people join the military "to get a free ride." I say, if they're willing to die for this country, even in conflicts they don't agree with...give them one. Anyone that brave deserves it.
Feel free to leave comments, I welcome them.