Ercille I. Christmas

Day of Honor
November 11, 2009

On Memorial Day, 2009, I already knew that I would be writing an article in honor of Veterans, and I knew exactly what would be my focus. On that Memorial Day, I was almost literally forced into looking behind the medals and parades, and delve into the individual stories of pain, loss, and hopefully triumph, of those who serve. The urge to take this approach was also caused by my deepening concern that too many citizens are unaware of how blessed this country is, to have the caliber of these men and women.

On that day, I read an article by journalist/writer Joan Swirsky, about the plight of ILT Michael Behenna. I knew then that my focus was going to be a look behind the scenes to really examine the price Veterans pay to protect the rest of us. I am truly in awe of, and deeply appreciate the sacrifice made by the Veterans of the US Military. They often go off to face a vicious enemy, an enemy unhindered by protocols of war such as the Geneva Convention. When they fly off to parts unknown, in service of their country, they leave behind their support system, in terms of family and other loved ones. Of one thing they are certain – the uncertainty of not knowing if they will return to those loved ones. Some return in body bags or minus their limbs or other body parts. Even those who return apparently whole, surely must fight to erase the memories of the horrors of war, as they try to adjust to life away from the battlefield. The fathers and mothers return to kids who no longer know them.

 I have to pause from my intended focus of life in the Military, a detour caused by a painful reminder of death, the stalker. I must pay tribute to recently fallen troops. On Thursday, November 5, 2009, a soldier, not necessarily a gentleman, M. Hasan, allegedly mowed down eleven soldiers and one civilian. Another of his victims died the following day. M. Hasan remains alive receiving the best of care. The victims of his alleged rampage, included a cross section of soldiers. The youngest was nineteen and the oldest in his early sixties.

Pfc. Aaron Thomas Nemelka , nineteen years old, chose a Military mission, instead of going on a religious mission for his church. His uncle described him as “soft and kind and as gentle as they come, a sweetheart.”

Francheska Velez returned safely from deployment in Iraq. She was unable to withstand the bullets at a “safe” base, far away from the battle zone. "Her father stated that “she had the spirit of a child.” She was also with child. Would that loss of another life push the total to fourteen killed?

For Capt John Gaffaney, the war on terror met him at a military base on US soil, instead of in Iraq where he was headed. He was one of the many patriots who tried to sign up after 9/11. He was described as “an honorable man.”

Pfc. Michael Pearson was apparently a poet who wrote: “I look only to the future for wisdom. To rock back and forth in my wooden chair.” He was denied that chance “to rock back and forth,” in his wooden chair, as his life was robbed from him. Twenty two years is too young to rock in a wooden chair or to be laid out in a casket.

Michael Grant Cahill was apparently the oldest of the victims. His daughter Keeley Vanacker wanted to know: “Now, who am I going to talk to”? Only the killer can answer why he chose to deprive Keeley of her favorite conversationalist.

Sgt. Amy Krueger’s vow to take on Osama bin Laden, was derailed by at least one of the one hundred bullets that were reportedly fired by M. Hasan. Although we are not to rush to judgment, it is now being reported that M. Hasan attended the same mosque as three of the “disciples” of bin Laden. These disciples were among the nineteen who caused America to be in the War on Terror, by striking at the WTC on 9/11/01. The new terminology “Overseas Contingency Operations,” that is being used to replace “Global War on Terror,” seems inadequate to describe “Terror on home turf,” perpetrated by M.Hasan. Sgt Krueger told her Mom, “watch me, “when her Mom tried to advise her that she could not take on bin Laden by herself. It would have been an inglorious end to bin Laden if he had been brought down by a woman. We won’t get to watch Sgt. Krueger carry out her vow. Hopefully another US soldier (female), can step into the breach.

“His greatest attribute was his ability to make people smile and make people laugh. Looking back, that’s the fondest memory I have – is that smile of his and that smile that he brought to my face,” said Principal Tim McGowan of Pfc. Kham Xiong, another of the lights put out by the alleged Fort Hood murderer. Pfc. Xiong’s three kids, all under five years of age, his wife, his father and the rest of the family have also been deprived of his smile, and his presence.

Those are just a few of the troops who “gave all” on Thursday November 5, 2009. They were us, except that we are still alive to enjoy family, friends and life.

These troops are dead. We move on to the investigations and soul searching? Almost immediately, a blanket of protection was placed around Muslims in the Military. The pleas are out that there should not be a backlash. I am certainly in agreement with no backlash, directed against any US citizen, of whatever creed or religion. I am for an equal society. However, we appear to be walking a fine line between “and justice for all,” and “some animals are more equal than others.” I would love to read about, hear about equal concern for the non Muslim troops who are now sitting ducks. This is the third incident involving loss of life for non Muslim troops at the hands of Muslim troops in the US Military. These non Muslim troops suffered the ultimate “backlash,” the robbery of their lives. Where is the plea on their behalf?

I don’t want to end this article without paying homage to the troops who served and lived to tell about it. About two weeks ago, in response to another article that I wrote , I received a complimentary response, to which I sent a thank you note. I received the following response:

Ms. Christmas:

Please don't apologize for not using my rank. I, through oversight, failed to give it to you. But, then, I never was one to stand much on formality or protocol. 

I retired from the Regular or Active) Army as a Sergeant First Class (SFC) in 1968 with over 20 years service. I then joined the Active U.S. Army Reserve and retired from the USAR as a Sergeant Major (SMJ) after 24 years service. I also served about 23 years in U.S. Civil Service, in support of our Armed Forces. from which I retired in 1999. (Part of my USAR and Civil Service time was served concurrently. Feel free to refer to me as SMJ North or SFC North or just plain Chris North - most people do.

 When the tragedy of 9/11 hit us, I was asked to return as a civilian to help train and work with a logistics team for the 18th U.S. Army Airborne Corps in the Fort Bragg, North Carolina Emergency Operations center. Of course, I accepted. This lasted about six months. Then I was offered the opportunity to work at Ft. Bragg as a Personnel Security and Physical Security Manager. Again, I accepted. This assignment lasted for about a year during which tine I trained new personnel in the areas of Personnel and Physical Security. Then - at my request (because of health problems) - they let me go. All told, I have over 52 years service to my country.

Then I started getting serious about voter activism and political activism - which is to say that is when Congress and the White House started hearing from me. I'm also working on a book dealing with the issues inherent in its title; "Wake Up America - We Are Losing Our Country"! I will never stop fighting for my country. Never! I am joined in this fight by my wife, Sharon whose tenacity, ferocity, bulldog determination and ability to hit them where it hurts never ceases to amaze me. Sharon is a Korean War veteran (Navy Medic), served 14 years in the USAR and is retired from Civil Service. 

This correspondence from SMJ North conveys the humility, fighting spirit, love of country of every man or woman who has put on the uniform, with very few exceptions. He and his wife gave decades of their lives in service to their country.

ILT Michael Behenna could also end up serving decades for his country, but in Fort Leavenworth for defending himself against an Iraqi insurgent. Ranger Behenna is in the prime of his life at 25 years young, and he could conceivably spend the rest of his prime years, not fighting off bad guys on the battlefield, but rotting in prison. We may conclude that at least he is alive. It is going to be very interesting to see if the Military scales of justice weigh in the same or similar measure for the alleged Fort Hood killer, who was not defending himself, as they weighed for ILT Behenna who was defending himself. I continue to pray that the life of this young Lieutenant is restored to him.

Sheila, fellow supporter of our troops, reminded me of this poem by one of our most beloved servicemen, Audie Murphy.

Freedom Flies In Your Heart Like An Eagle

Dusty old helmet, rusty old gun,
They sit in the corner and wait -
Two souvenirs of the Second World War
That have withstood the time, and the hate.

Mute witness to a time of much trouble.
Where kill or be killed was the law -
Were these implements used with high honor?
What was the glory they saw?

Many times I've wanted to ask them -
And now that we're here all alone,
Relics all three of a long ago war -
Where has freedom gone?

Freedom flies in your heart like an eagle.
Let it soar with the winds high above
Among the spirits of soldiers now sleeping,
Guard it with care and with love.

I salute my old friends in the corner,
I agree with all they have said -
And if the moment of truth comes tomorrow,
I'll be free, or By God, I'll be dead!

How can we, and those who send troops out to serve, serve them? “We the people” can show these troops, the proper respect and gratitude. Those in charge of their lives must put aside political correctness, and effectively demonstrate that the wellbeing and welfare of each individual troop is more important a part of the “mission,” than any piece of the logistics of war.