You Can Leave Anytime You Want

I’m saddened because I’m not surprised by this. We are told that it is only the Islamist extremists who bear ill will toward the US. I intellectually know that this business and its employees have the right to say what they want. But emotionally I believe that they can leave any time that they want. I would even love to help them pack. Just how many customers would be able to afford his mattresses in Iraq, Iran, or (insert flea bitten sandbox country here).

If you haven’t heard and are to lazy to click the link, here is the story in a nutshell. Some soldiers from the 1st Cavalry are stationed in Iraq. Unfortunately the Army doesn’t send you to battle with your sleep number bed. Having to sleep in the flea infested sand, an enterprising NCO started searching the net for a mattress to lay on the ground instead. I don’t know for sure but I’m sure that the mattress was probably closer to a foam pad than you are imagining. Anyway he e-mailed different companies asking if they shipped to APO addresses. Discount-mats.com which is owned by Faisal Khetani sent this response:

Sgt Hess,

We do not ship to APO addresses, and even if we did, we would NEVER ship to Iraq. If you were sensible, you and your troops would pull out of Iraq.

Bargain Suppliers
Discount-Mats.com

At the least, Americans can assist Faisal Khetani in his search for a country that he respects. We simply publicize this report over and over and encourage people not to do business with terrorist sympathizers. Perhaps some enterprising person can put Mr. Khetani’s despicable face on a billboard where he lives and further encourage his disgrace. Maybe when he is friendless and destitute he can turn to his terrorist heroes for help. May they show him the same compassion that he showed the men and women of the 1st Cav.

Welcome Home

Last Thursday, I witnessed an event that every American should see at least once in their lifetime. I was in a crowd that welcomed home 200+ warriors from the war in Iraq. The flight came in early in the morning as family, friends, and co-workers waited for them inside an aircraft hanger. The movie Cars was on a big screen to entertain the kids but they were too excited to watch. Daddy or Mommy was coming home at last. As the time for the plane’s arrival drew closer, you could sense the energy level in the room start to rise.

Finally the L-1011 touched down and started the long slow taxi into place. Here and there I saw tears on the faces of loved ones in anxious anticipation of seeing their loved ones for the first time since before Labor Day. As the plane taxied to a stop, the families rushed to the ropes to be near the front and get a glimpse of the troops returning home. I saw a group of Vietnam vets there with American flags to ensure that never again would returning troops face what they faced. I get misty eyed just thinking about it. I saw a man who would not be greeting anyone that day. His son-in-law was shot down and killed just before Thanksgiving. He told us that he wanted to be there for those that did come home.

As the squadron commanders formed a reception line at the bottom of the stairway, the Vietnam vets were invited to join them. Then the men and women who volunteered to lay their lives in harms way for you and I began to exit the airplane. Loud cheers went up from the assembled crowd. I wasn’t there to meet anyone in particular but I felt the adrenaline rush just the same. Soon I was shaking hands and hugging people that I hadn’t seen in months. They were just glad to see friendly faces. I’m pretty sure that one troop had me confused with someone else as she gave me a big hug when I welcomed her home. I still don’t know her name but that doesn’t matter.

It occurred to me that they were returning home to the expectation of safety and freedom. They had that expectation because another group of brave warriors, just like them, had taken their place to provide that safety and liberty. It angers me beyond description that the politicians of the left utilize the propaganda machine of the MSM and their influence over the purse strings to endanger the lives of heroes like my friends and co-workers. The Pelosi’s, Clinton’s, and Reid’s of the government that give lip service to supporting our troops while calling for their funding to be cut further increases the danger that these people faced everyday. They vote to cut funding for the war and then denounce the administration for not giving the troops the proper equipment. Let’s call it what it is. It is liberal hypocrisy and it endangers the men and women of the United States military.

As the last of the people left the plane and walked into the hangar, Lee Greenwood’s “I’m Proud to be an American” blared from the loudspeakers. The lump in my throat turned to tears on my cheek. Yes I’m proud and I’m fortunate to be part of the greatest military on the face of the earth. I hope that each of you will one day share these sentiments.