Thoughts From the Heart

"Dying for one's country is not the worst thing that can happen! Being forgotten is."

As a combat military veteran currently confined in an Ohio prison. The news of Osama Bin Laden's killing, the public enemy #1, by our military fosters many memories of missions that I had the honor and privilege to participate in.

The mission: a high-level calculated mission with exceptional execution. The threat was JETJT-RALIZE and valuable intel was found without any US casualties. Good job to all involved.

With Memorial Day approaching, let us remember the missions of those who paid the ultimate price. Let us remember the missions of WWI veterans as they fought and died for freedom. May the rest in peace. Let us remember the missions of WWII veterans, especially their D-Day. May they all rest in peace.

Let us remember the missions of Korean War veterans, especially their mission of Pork Chop Hill. May the all rest in peace.

Let us remember the missions of Vietnam veterans, especially their missions in Ia-Drang Valley, Khe Sanh, Tet, a Shan Valley (the valley of death), and the battle for Hue City. May the all rest in peace.

Let us remember the mission of Grenada veterans. A mission to save American students. May they all rest in peace.

Let us remember the mission of Saudi Arabian veterans, a mission of freedom. May they rest in peace.

Let us remember the mission of Iraq veterans, who fought the good fight and to keep America safe from terrorists. May they rest in peace.

Let us remember the missions of Afghanistan veterans, who vowed to stand behind any military campaigns it takes to wipe terrorists off the face of the earth. May they rest in peace.

I was a young frightened soldier in Southeast Asia who saw the horrors of war and felt its pain personally. I relive these recrudescent on a daily basis. May I know peace.

Last but not least, let us remember all Pow-Mia. Let us stay vigilant until all of them have been fully accounted for. May they know peace.

Let us remember the men and women who have offered their lives for their country. Know that patriotism is not the fear of something; it is the love of something.

Remember, dying for one's country is not the worst thing that can happen. Being forgotten is.

May we all know peace.

Joe Smith 211295
P.O. Box 1812
Marion, Ohio 43301-1812