The Difference Five Years Can Make
I am not prepared to analyze the downhill slide our country has gone through since President Bush lied to our country and declared war on Iraq. So I am going to approach this subject from a personal level.
All I know for certain is that five years ago today, my cousin, Pvt. Kelley Prewitt was new to the Army. And his first thought upon hearing that we were at war was probably “Oh, shit.”
Five years ago he had joined, like so many do, to get his life together. Five years ago, his parents had a son. His sisters had their brother. His comrades had his dedication. And sweet home Alabama had his heart. Five years ago, at age 24, Kelley had a future.
Less than one month into the war, his life was blown apart by an Iraqi ambush. It had been 11 months since he enlisted. His funeral will always stand out in my mind as a symbol of motherly love, loss, overwhelming grief and waste.
The numbers of those who have joined him sickens me. Almost 4,000 of them.
May they rest in peace.
March 19, 2008 at 8:24 am
I’d like to see several members of the current regime tried as war criminals. Never happen though, at least not on our shores. Should the democrats manage not to self-destruct between now and November, and the odds are about 50-50 on that, I doubt seriously we’ll see any fast or mass exodus from Iraq even then. They, like their Republicans counterparts, have proven to be all talk. They are essentially the same. Their primary, if unwritten function, is to protect the status quo. Heaven help us but I think we’re long past the point of no return. Since the dems went corporate, we essentially have a one party system.
March 19, 2008 at 8:37 am
Well said. I share your fear for our future.
March 23, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Our admiration, respect, and honor go out to you and your cousin’s family.