America’s troops are our heroes
Tom Chambers
Daily Local News
July 20, 2010
In response to Gordon Bennett’s letter to the editor where he writes about a sign he recently noticed being held by someone in a group of (in his words) “pro-war demonstrators” that reads, “Our Soldiers are Heroes,” I take exception to his opinion expressed in his letter. Quoting Mr. Bennett further, he states “I assume the sign holder believes that all our soldiers are heroes and I think that’s patently untrue.” Mr. Bennett, in my opinion, misses the whole point, and does so deliberately.
It’s obvious just who the aforementioned “group” is that Mr. Bennett is referencing in his letter, a group he characterizes as “pro-war.” I could be wrong, but I’m fairly certain that he is referring to the members of the Chester County Victory Movement (CCVM) who rally every Saturday morning in West Chester at the corners of High and Market streets. His characterization of this group as “pro-war” is totally wrong and is a self-serving expression on his part. The “pro-war” moniker is just an old 1960s tactic that Mr. Bennett and his ilk think still holds water. I don’t think so.
Regarding Mr. Bennett taking exception to the aforementioned sign, maybe if he inquired as to just who may have been holding that sign … “Our Soldiers are Heroes” … he would find that it may be what we call a “Military Mom” or “Military Dad,” a parent of a son or daughter currently serving in the military in harm’s way in Iraq or Afghanistan. Tell that parent that their son or daughter is not a hero in his or her eyes and in their hearts.
Or maybe the sign holder is a respectful veteran of one of the nation’s past conflicts who served heroically while in harm’s way. Or, then again, maybe the sign holder is just a grateful citizen who appreciates the sacrifice of our troops and wishes to do their part to pay them a tribute by referring to them as heroes.
Those that I describe above are basically what constitutes the Chester County Victory Movement, that is, patriotic citizens who would hope that wars would never have to be waged, but realize that defending our freedoms is paramount; citizens who honor our troops who voluntarily join the military, not knowing where their enlistments may take them, but who heroically accept the chance and challenge in service to their country. And some troops will, quite sadly, pay the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms and on behalf of all of us that they leave behind to serve, heroically.
Yes, our troops are heroes, even if some don’t choose to accept that particular word in describing our troops. They’re free to do so, thanks to our troops, past and present. Our true American heroes are not athletes making millions playing sport games; or Hollywood “stars” with talent to “play act.” Our troops are not playing, but are serving all of us away from home, many encountering intolerable conditions, even putting their life on the line for us, motivated by the desire to do their part in defense of the greatest nation in the world.
Our Troops! Our Heroes! God bless them all!