A Soldier's last words, 22 Oct 2007 8:52 pm
SGT. Edmund John Jeffer's last few words were some of the most touching, inspiring and most truthful words spoken since the tragedy of 9/11 - and since our nation went to war.
SGT. Jeffers was a strong soldier and talented writer. He died in Iraq on September 19, 2007. He was a loving husband, brother and son. His service was more than this country could ever grasp - but the least you can do for the man who sacrificed his life for you ... is listen to what he had to say.
Compare his observations two the cynicism of the Cindy Sheehans and Al Frankens, Chris Mathews, Keith Olberman, MSNBC, CNN, NBC and CBS who presume to call themselves 'patriots'.....
Hope Rides Alone
By Eddie Jeffers
I stare out into the darkness from my post, and I watch the city burn to the ground. I smell the familiar smells, I walk through the familiar rubble, and I look at the frightened faces that watch me pass down the streets of their neighborhoods. My nerves hardly rest; my hands are steady on a device that has been given to me from my government for the purpose of taking the lives of others.
I sweat, and I am tired. My back aches from the loads I carry. Young American boys look to me to direct them in a manner that will someday allow them to see their families again...and yet, I too, am just a boy....my age not but a few years more than that of the ones I lead. I am stressed, I am scared, and I am paranoid...because death is everywhere. It waits for me, it calls to me from around street corners and windows, and it is always there.
There are the demons that follow me, and tempt me into thoughts and actions that are not my own...but that are necessary for survival. I've made compromises with my humanity. And I am not alone in this. Miles from me are my brethren in this world, who walk in the same streets...who feel the same things, whether they admit to it or not.
And to think, I volunteered for this... And I am ignorant to the rest of the world...or so I thought.
But even thousands of miles away, in Ramadi , Iraq, the cries and screams and complaints of the ungrateful reach me. In a year, I will be thrust back into society from a life and mentality that doesn't fit your average man. And then, I will be alone. And then, I will walk down the streets of America , and see the yellow ribbon stickers on the cars of the same people who compare our President to Hitler.
I will watch the television and watch the Cindy Sheehans, and the Al Frankens, and the rest of the ignorant sheep of America spout off their mouths about a subject they know nothing about. It is their right, however, and it is a right that is defended by hundreds of thousands of boys and girls scattered across the world, far from home. I use the word boys and girls, because that's what they are. In the Army, the average age of the infantryman is nineteen years old. The average rank of soldiers killed in action is Private First Class.
People like Cindy Sheehan are ignorant. Not just to this war, but to the results of their idiotic ramblings, or at least I hope they are. They don't realize its effects on this war. In this war, there are no Geneva Conventions, no cease fires. Medics and Chaplains are not spared from the enemy's brutality because it's against the rules. I can only imagine the horrors a military Chaplain would experience at the hands of the enemy. The enemy slinks in the shadows and fights a coward's war against us. It is effective though, as many men and women have died since the start of this war. And the memory of their service to America is tainted by the inconsiderate remarks on our nation's news outlets. And every day, the enemy changes...only now, the enemy is becoming something new. The enemy is transitioning from the Muslim extremists t o Americans. The enemy is becoming the very people whom we defend with our lives. And they do not realize it.
But in denouncing our actions, denouncing our leaders, denouncing the war we live and fight, they are isolating the military from society...and they are becoming our enemy.
Democrats and peace activists like to toss the word "quagmire" around and compare this war to Vietnam . In a way they are right, this war is becoming like Vietnam . Not the actual war, but in the isolation of country and military. America is not a nation at war; they are a nation with its military at war. Like it or not, we are here, some of us for our second, or third times; some even for their fourth and so on. Americans are so concerned now with politics, that it is interfering with our war.
Terrorists cut the heads off of American citizens on the Internet...and there is no outrage, but an American soldier kills an Iraqi in the midst of battle, and there are investigations, and sometimes soldiers are even jailed...for doing their job.
It is absolutely sickening to me to think our country has come to this. Why are we so obsessed with the bad news? Why will people stop at nothing to be against this war, no matter how much evidence of the good we've done is thrown in their face? When is the last time CNN or MSNBC or CBS reported the opening of schools and hospitals in Iraq ? Or the leaders of terror cells being detained or killed? It's all happening, but people will not let up their hatred of Bush. They will ignore the good news, because it just might show people that Bush was right.
America has lost its will to fight. It has lost its will to defend what is right and just in the world. The crazy thing of it all is that the American people have not even been asked to sacrifice a single thing. It's not like World War Two, where people rationed food, and turned in cars to be made into metal for tanks. The American people have not been asked to sacrifice anything. Unless you are in the military or the family member of a service member, its life as usual...the war doesn't affect you.
But it affects us. And when it is over, and the troops come home, and they try to piece together what's left of them after their service...where will the detractors be then? Where will the Cindy Sheehans be to comfort and talk to soldiers and help them sort out the last couple years of their lives, most of which have been spent dodging death and wading through the deaths of their friends? They will be where they always are, somewhere far away, where the horrors of the world can't touch them. Somewhere where they can complain about things they will never experience in their lifetime; things that the young men and women of America have willingly taken upon their shoulders.
We are the hope of the Iraqi people. They want what everyone else wants in life: safety, security, somewhere to call home. They want a country that is safe to raise their children in. Not a place where their children will be abducted, raped, and murdered if they do not comply with the terrorists demands. They want to live on, rebuild and prosper. And America has given them the opportunity, but only if we stay true to the cause, and see it to its end. But the country must unite in this endeavor...we cannot place the burden on our military alone. We must all stand up and fight, whether in uniform or not. And supporting us is more than sticking yellow ribbon stickers on your cars. It's supporting our President, our troops and our cause.
Right now, the burden is all on the American soldiers. Right now, hope rides alone. But it can change, it must change. Because there is only failure and darkness ahead for us as a country, as a people, if it doesn't. Let's stop all the political nonsense, let's stop all the bickering, let's stop all the bad news, and let's stand and fight!
Eddie's father, David Jeffers, writes:
I'm not sure how many letters or articles you've ever read from the genre of "News from the Front," but this is one of the best I've ever read, including all of America's wars. As I was reading this, I forgot that it was my son who had written it. My emotions range from great pride to great sorrow, knowing that my little boy (22 years old) has become this man. He is my hero. Thank all of you for your prayers for him; he needs them now more than ever. God bless. Though Eddie is no longer with us, you can help to let his voice be heard. God Bless and have a good day!
Does any one know if this is true or a hoax?
God Bless Sgt Jeffers and his family. Truer words have never been spoken. Not only do the soldiers endure this type of hell on earth , but thier families do also. While the First Amendment gives us all the right to freedom of speech, where is the moral obligation to speak wisely, especially when we have service people that are in harms way? It would be more than resposible for news agencies and politicans and people in the news to just pause a moment and engage thier brains before putting thier mouths in gear. To the Jeffers family, I am sorry for your loss, I would have loved to have Sgt. Jeffers counted as a friend and as a leader in our great country.
Reply:First published in a copyrighted article by NewMediaJournal.us 02/01/07.
Also see:
http://newmediajournal.us/gues...
for a more recent posting from the father, David. Report It
Reply:Yes, this is true. God Bless America and the Jeffers family and all of the other soldiers and their families. If we continue on the path we are currently on (listening to movie stars for our ideas and ideals) we as a country will surely perish. We must learn to THINK for ourselves. We all want peace in the world. The person who can look beyond wanting peace realizes that at this time it is not possible. We need many more things like the defeat of Chavez in Venezuela to happen. Hopefully the Cubans will wake up and FIGHT for their democracy, etc...
Reply:I don't know if it is true or not. But it has caused me to stop and think.
Reply:it is not true
Reply:your question are very long and anything it mean ,
Reply:This war and occupation is a massive hoax sprung on the American people by the most corrupt accumulation of lying bastards that have ever been handed the responsibility to govern a modern country. Our military and those that serve have been suborned to serve as mercenaries for what can only be called 'the oil mafia' because that's what this occupation is all about. There was never a real reason that touched on 'freedom' or 'liberty' or any of that inane right wing talk show BS. Certainly the men and women who have, had and will have put their 'boots' on the ground have served with honor, but that doesn't distract from the disgusting and dishonorable conduct of the civilian authorities, the 'Bush Junta' that sent them into Iraq in the first place. The warhawks brindle at the cruelty of the 'enemy' but in the end, the warhawks sent our people onto another nation's turf with the massive crushing power of western technology and then expect the Iraqis to play by our rules. Senseless, stupid, dumb! I honor those who serve, but I have unlimited contempt for those that lied this war into existance.
Reply:HOAXII
Another anti war rant with nothing to back it up!!!!
Reply:A quick web search indicates that Sgt Jeffers was a talented poet who did write that piece.
And all of you who oppose the war need to recognize that this really is how the troops see you.
Reply:I don't know if a man names SGT Jeffers wrote this or not but in the end it doesn't matter because every word is true and hopefully the truth beats out all the lies that people Like Cindy Sheehan are puting out.
Reply:M1a1Mike got it. I'm not military myself, I'm a military spouse but people want to believe this kind of thing is a hoax. I believe who have been there over what the media shows. My husband had been 3 times already, and he says the change from his first tour to this past one is amazing. Do a quick google search, and you'll find that this was really written by SGT. Eddie Jeffers.
Reply:hoax...
Reply:Beautiful
Reply:A hoax. No American soldier I ever met is that stupid.
tooth decay
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