Excuse me if others have posted diaries on the topic of the ill-fated Marine Battalion from Ohio. Diaries are often a presentation of someone's personal perspective. Consider mine a tribute.
I grew up in Cleveland and I still have family and friends there. I'm familiar with Brook Park. It's a blue collar suburb that abuts the airport. There are auto plants several tool & die and light industrial plants. The big plants are fading away and the small businesses are taking over. Times are tough. It's hard for skilled laborers to find steady, well paying work with good benefits.
So many kids understandably turn to the armed forces for an economic opportunity and an edge in the business world.
Another thing to keep in mind. It was in Cleveland Hopkins International Airport airspace where the terrorists who flew Flight 93, the plane that crashed in Shanksville, PA, changed course and turned off the transponder. A warning issued from the local tower (who knew about New York and the Pentagon) to local law enforcement. Tall buildings were evacuated in Cleveland. The Federal Building is one of the taller buildings on the skyline.
So, I'm fairly sure these Marines signed up with the memory of 9/11 still very fresh in their minds. They signed up to defend their nation in time of need. They signed up to gain valuable leadership experience. They signed up to make a difference.
Take a minuteto get to know them better.
Cpl. Jeff Boskovitch, 25, with plans to get married soon, declined a promotion because he wanted to stay with the unit.
Lance Cpl. Brian Montgomery, 26, served beside his brother in the battalion. Eric, 21, will return home for his brother's funeral. Brian's son, Alex, celebrated his first birthday two days after his father's death.
Now, President Bush tells us"These terrorists and insurgents will use brutal tactics because they are trying to shake the will of the United States of America. That's what they are trying to do. They want us to retreat. They want us, in our compassion for the innocent, to say we are through. That's what they want."
So the main rationale for maintaining this armed conflict is the same one six year olds use in the playground: pure defiance.
And another, still: "And the families can know that we will honor their loved ones sacrifice by completing the mission, by laying the foundations for peace for generations to come."
Are we really laying foundations for peace? Or are we just securing oil supplies?
Our track record on laying foundations for peace is pretty poor: Vietnam, Chile, Phillipines, Nicaragua, El Salvador..../where have we brought peace into this world?
We were the ones who armed Saddam Hussein. We were the ones who armed the Afghan Mujahadeen. We are the ones who are feeding the insurgency day after day.
But we can't leave because of the law of the schoolyard. We're playing a global game of chicken.
Well here's my chicken challenge for you. I dare you to accuse me of not supporting the troops. I dare you.
Yes. I am standing here telling you that the invasion of Afghanistan was poorly planned and executed. The invasion of Iraq was completely discretionary and based on lies. We don't have enough troops to do the job properly, too many troops are untrained or poorly trained for occupation duties, and they have bad equipment.
And yes. I am also telling you that these poorly equipped, poorly trained, outnumbered troops are being ignored by their government who got them into this mess. They'll have damaged bodies and lousy health care upon their return.
Why perpetuate a bad idea? What is the rightfulness of continuing to stay when it is clear we are doing no good whatsoever.
Explain that to me. Explain it to these Ohio families who, tonight, are grieving.