Boiling Point
Usually I won't post political things. I will not take a stand, or post my opinions publicly. Generally speaking, when people do, I scroll right past it. I don't care what you think. And if you post one thing, chances are you've posted a hundred different things. It just gets old, is all I'm saying. I do social media for a totally different reason. But that's a different topic altogether.
Today, I'm breaking my vow of silence. I'm calling bullshit on the whole government shutdown. It's finally struck a nerve that is extremely close to home.
Four Soldiers and one Marine died this weekend in Afghanistan. A report from the Seattle PI:
— Four soldiers died Oct. 6, in Zhari District, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device; killed were: 1st Lt. Jennifer M. Moreno, 25, of San Diego, Calif., assigned to Madigan Army Medical Center, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; Sgt. Patrick C. Hawkins, 25, of Carlisle, Pa., assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.; Sgt. Joseph M. Peters, 24, of Springfield, Mo., assigned to the 5th Military Police Battalion, Vicenza, Italy; and Pfc. Cody J. Patterson, 24, of Philomath, Ore., assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, at Fort Benning, Ga.
—Lance Cpl. Jeremiah M. Collins, Jr., 19, of Milwaukee, Wis., died Oct. 5 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan; assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
When a Soldier dies in combat, their remains are brought to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Also when a Soldier dies in combat, their family is awarded $100,000 within 36 hours of the death. These funds are processed immediately for many reasons, two of the most important being funeral arrangements and for the homecoming. The family is able to use this money to fly to Dover for the final homecoming of the deceased; to respect their loved one as they make their final journey home, and to watch them escorted off of the plane in a casket draped with the American Flag. It is a very important, very practiced, very sacred tradition that we have in the Army. It is a ceremony you hope to never participate in, and one that occurs entirely too often.
Due to the government shutdown, the families have been denied the financial benefits, pending further approval of bills and what not. They will have to finance the plane tickets with their own money (assuming they have enough), all while confronting this tremendous loss. I feel nothing but sorrow for them, and I'm fighting back tears just writing the words.
Quite frankly, I'm disgusted. Congress is supposed to talk about it tomorrow (Wednesday) and have the President sign the bill if it is approved. While they sit in their comfortable, air conditioned rooms and bicker like school children, people are giving their lives to keep this damn country free, and their families are not being assisted in getting to Dover.
1LT Jennifer Moreno, 25. Stationed at Madigan Army Medical Center. She was sitting where I am right now, just a few years ago. AMEDD BOLC Class 1-11. In my exact position, going through the same training, and looking forward to a bright career. Now she's in a casket, draped in the Stars and Stripes, with her family mourning at home. And they have no idea if they'll be there for her when she finally makes it back.
Like I said. It hits close to home. I feel or every one of those Soldiers, the Marine, and their family and friends.
So here's where I break that vow of silence on politics, and here's where I get angry. I don't care what decisions you come to up on Capitol Hill. I don't care what it takes. I don't care if you give up your paychecks, and I don't care if you don't. I care about America, which is why I would keep showing up even if I wasn't getting paid. I care about this Country and everything it stands for. I care about my rights, the rights of my friends and family, the rights of the People. Those Inalienable Rights. But listen, Congress? Fuck you. Figure your shit out, and give these Soldiers the final rest they deserve.
