PERSPECTIVE

Lance Corporal Shane Kielion - KIA, Iraq, November 2004

There are times in life, when something comes along and, almost like a thunderclap, slams everything back into perspective.

Here I was tonight, worrying about work later on this morning, feeling a bit bothered, agitated and demotivated about this and that, and one thing and another in relation to by job, when, just as I was about to hop off to bed to actually catch a few hours sleep, the following headline popped up on netscape and hit me right between the eyes:

MARINE KILLED HOURS AFTER SON'S BIRTH

There are times when I think that God definitely stops to whack me across the back of the head to say: "What you have is truly wonderful, my dear, just look at what others have to deal with, in comparison..."

Several things ran through my mind.

Shame.

Chagrin.

Compassion.

Deep, deep sorrow.

And... a prayer.

Not only is it sad that this young man could be killed in action only hours after his baby son was born, he also died not knowing his wife had given birth, and probably not knowing that he'd had a son.

Then, of course, there's the sad fact that he died at all.

My heart, my prayers, and all my deepest thoughts go out to him, his wife, his son, and his family at this time of great sorrow.

This... this is part of the reason I feel such great and frustrated anger towards the mainstream news media. Where they could be supporting the troops in Iraq, they are doing everything they can to undermine them, to discredit them, and to demoralize them in the face of the world.

If if were not for troops, like this young Marine, and others just like him, the press would not have the freedoms they have right now, to report in the manner in which they do, free of persecution and censure.

It's about time the US mainstream news media (among other branches in the world) got that proverbial and collective clue, and started giving the troops the support, the respect, and the honour they all fully deserve.

It's about time they started remembering who the enemy actually IS, and started allocating blame and outrage, where blame, outrage and condemnation is truly due - namely, towards the murdering, terrorist thugs these kids are laying down their lives to protect us all from day in and day out.

It's all about perspective.

To this young Marine, and all others out there, and especially David & Angelo (my wonderful Marine friends of the 11th MEU, 1/4 currently serving in Iraq right now) I'd like to say...

God Bless you all!

May God always walk beside you!

and...

Semper Fi, my friends!

Chrisitne.