An Open Letter To Cindy Sheehan

Dear Cindy,

First let me tell you how sorry I am for your loss. No parent should have to lose a child. So many families have been changed forever because of military service. I have great respect for the young men and women who put their lives in jeopardy to serve in the armed forces, as well as for their families.

No matter how you feel about the reasons we are in Iraq, I wanted to tell you what Casey was involved in before he died. My best friend served there about the same time as your son. He tells stories that are vastly different from the ones we usually see in the media. He recalls men and women who made great sacrifices because they were proud to wear the uniform and be called Americans.

They freed millions of people from the rule of one of the most evil men alive. That man is now in prison and his equally evil sons are dead. They freed many thousands from torture and death. They not only brought food, medicine and protection to the people of Iraq, they brought them hope and freedom. They restored power, water, communication... rebuilt schools, hospitals, roads. Iraq now has a working education system for both boys and girls. Women have rights. They work, attend school, act as vital members of the community. People can speak without fear of a brutal death. Clinics and hospitals provide the needed health care. They have police and a functioning judicial system. They now have a government that's on the verge of a new constitution. And, contrary to the media, our young men and women have earned the gratitude of most Iraqis.

I think that makes Casey and his compadres heroes.

The resident loudmouths of this country don't want us to remember our sons and daughters that way. They want to fan the tainted flames of propaganda and rhetoric. They have an agenda. Both sides are using you. I'm sure you didn't intend that when you decided to take your stand, but you've become like a piece of meat in a huge feeding frenzy! Some may flatter you as long as you serve their purpose. Once the air time value starts to fade, you'll be dropped for the next hot potato. And where is Casey's memory now? Almost lost in the middle of the media circus. Instead of a hero, a champion of human rights, he's reduced (even in your own words) to just a murder victim. And in a strange reversal, you are trying to assume the role of champion!

Most of us have forgotten the horror we felt on 9/11; how we were galvanized into one national mindset against terrorism. We've slipped back into the political cesspool where we slant the truth and sling blame. One problem is it's hard to recognize the good while we're spewing hate. And the tragedy in this go-around is that we turn a blind eye to the enormous amount of good our soldiers have done and pretend they died in vain. What a vile, ungrateful thing to do!

Maybe it's time to do a little re-thinking. Casey offered the ultimate sacrifice. He gave his life for his country and for suffering people in a far away land. He knew this could happen when he enlisted, yet he served and died honorably. He should be remembered with honor, with love. Anything less would be a real shame. The further this situation progresses, the more his memory will be replaced by your actions. What you thought would be a crusade has turned into a carnival. Put the focus back on Casey. He was an instrument of peace. He helped saved lives and make lives better. Find a way to remember him without becoming part of the problem. Preserve as much dignity as possible. Take comfort in the fact that your voice was heard, but more important, you raised a hero. His, not yours, is the legacy that should be handed down.

One last thing... you mentioned in one of your posts the man who is responsible for your son's death. You're mistaken. There were two. One is hiding in a cave in Afghanistan and the other, thanks in part to Casey, is in prison awaiting trial.

Respectfully,
Mort