I write this article as a former Army soldier (although once a soldier – always a soldier)….the headline news of the FBI’s Most Wanted, “Osama Bin Laden is dead” has an emotional impact on me more than many will understand. I logged into my Facebook this morning to also find many comments “status updates” of current and former military personnel raving about the death of the Mastermind behind the 9/11 terrorist attacks on U.S. soil, among other attacks that not only killed thousands in New York City but also cost many military lives overseas.
Like a lightening bolt, my heart ignites in anger as today, May 2, 2011 happens to also be the “would-be” 35th birthday of a wonderful man with whom I shared my life with once. It has been 6 years since his death in Baghdad, Iraq fighting for our Country that we call home. Are we safe now? Why is it that I do not feel better now that this heinous man is gone?
Our military never stops fighting for our future and we continue to have a military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan. To many, today will stand in infamy: many of us who have lost loved ones, who have loved ones still fighting against terrorism and for the ones preparing for deployment to continue on a mission. My anger mainly is centered around the idea that Osama’s legacy will linger for many years to come such as Hilter, Stalin and Hussein. Osama Bin Laden will be a celebrity for his attacks while our lost ones will be added to the Department of Defense’s list of fatalities, listed only as a number. We cannot forget those whom we have lost and pray for those who continue to fight against what Bin Laden began http://www.fallenheroesmemorial.com/.
It is hard to explain how hard it is to be a soldier trained to be unafraid of death, to be asked to shoot to kill at a moments notice or to be a spouse (girlfriend) of a soldier deployed in an unstable Country where his/her life means nothing to the enemy but means the world to you. In each category, families and soldiers are asked to understand that life is expendable. We are not born with this innate ability to discriminate against life.
To all the families who lost love ones, celebrate the death of a man who hated Western Culture and everything that American’s stand for together we will stand once again united. Some way, some how, we move on and move forward with priceless memories, try to make a difference in the youth of America and live to love again.
Hoorah, to the Navy Seals, some of the most elite fighters in the world for their efforts to finally put an end to the reign of Bin Laden ten years after the 9/11 attacks. “Never Forget” Rest in peace SSG Victor M. Cortes III……….
Please share your story with us. How do you feel now that Osama Bin Laden is gone?