Tammi's World

Lone Survivor

I read a book yesterday. And I want to tell you about it, because it's the best damned book I've read. Ever. Period.

Laughing Wolf did a wonderful in-depth review over at Blackfive's a while back. I'm not even going to TRY and write something in that vein.

What I am going to try and do is tell you what I learned from reading this account. About myself, our Military, Our Special Ops Hero's, and our country in the here and now.

The book? Lone Survivor - The eyewitness account of Operation Redwing and the lost heroes of Seal Team 10. Written by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson.

First thing I need to say is that EVERYONE should read this book. EVERYONE. It's not an easy read. No, it's an incredibly emotional trip. It will make you laugh, cry and, if you're like me, so angry you don't know what to do with yourself.

And yes, I am angry.

But because I want you to read it, I'm not going to give a running commentary. I just want to talk about some things that popped up at me.

What the hell are we allowing to happen to our Military? What the hell are we doin', sitting back and letting the liberals, MSM, Congress, the Senate tie their hands? Forcing them to think about repercussions rather than on the mission at hand. If I only took one thing away from reading this incredible account of pure heroism, it is that.

They are fighting for us. We must fight for them. Stand up to the media. Stand up to the Congress and Senate. Ask the hard questions, and MAKE them listen.

You know, I've never been in the Military. I can't even imagine what going to war is like. But I've often wondered just how much what goes on here in the states effects our warriors. Are they able to just put it out of their minds, the taunts, the controversies and focus on the job at hand? Or does it become a part of their decision making? Decisions that have to be made in the blink of an eye. Decisions that SHOULD be based on their training. Their survival.

Well now, thanks to this book, I have an iota of an idea. And it makes me sick. We, either by deed or inactivity, are forcing our military heroes to make those very decisions based on what might happen if the media, or someone else, finds out. The repercussions.

I can't tell you how sick that makes me.

And while I'm at it, let's look even closer at the Media, shall we? I've said it time and time again, the practice of reporting what they WANT to say or hear, instead of the facts that are KNOWN makes me furious. What happened to Marcus's family while he was MIA is just.....wrong. Reporting no hope, reporting "inside sources" that consider him dead. I really REALLY would love for every one of those bastards to have to deal with something like that. Just once. KNOW what that feels like. UNDERSTAND what the repercussions of THEIR actions are.

Like I said, I'm angry. But I'm also so unbelievably honored and proud to know that there are people like Marcus, like Seal Team 10 that every day put everything on the line to protect my country. To protect my freedom.

Here is an interview I found at Powerline with Marcus.

Here is his interview with Glenn Beck Part I and Part II.

Read the book. Then tell the story. Stand up for what is right.

In the interview I linked to at Powerline, on of the the last questions that Marcus was asked was if we Americans could do one thing to show our appreciation, one thing to say Thank You for the service and sacrifice of our Military, what would that be.

You know what he said? He said to live our lives. Enjoy your life. Exercise the freedom that they are sacrificing so much for.

Pretty damned good advice if you ask me.......

Posted by Tammi at August 8, 2007 06:40 AM | TrackBack