Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue Lcpl Jordan Haerter
Current mood: 
sad
Category: Life
Standing in the rain yesterday, April 28,2008 with all the other mourners paying our last respects to a 19 year old boy serving his country in the United States Marine Corps, who was Killed In Action in Iraq last Tuesday April 22, 2008. I know that some of the other people whom I spoke with had like me never even met this heroic young man but felt,like I did that he deserved to be laid to rest with the support of the entire town behind his parents. It occurred to me at that point, possibly because the mother in me finally kicked the A** of the former Marine in me that SOMETHING HAS GOT TO CHANGE. Please do not think I am disrespecting ANYONE who has served loved someone who has served or has loved and lost someone who has served. I have been in the military and two of my brothers have been to Iraq as have some of my friends and my husbands nephew. No my point is that I firmly believe that Saddam Hussein should have been taken out of power for the way that he treated his own people, but with no plan for pulling out how many more deaths are there going to be? As a Mother my heart breaks for his family, seeing them come to the cemetery, his father wearing his dog tags and his Lance Corporal Cheverons on the collar of his jacket broke my heart almost as much as hearing the salute from the Marines standing at a distance firing their rifles. The finality of it. The knowing that you couldn't be there for the last moments of your childs life how do you keep justifing putting more and more familes through it? I could not imagine seeing those men in uniforms walking up to my door and knowing that they can only be there for one reason. How do we stop this war? How do we bring home our Marines Airmen Midshipmen Corpsmen Rangers and Seals? Viva the Revolution, I believe that it starts at home. And though I have ALWAYS DETESTED the War Protestors, I am beginging to wonder if that is not the way to go? Not to the extreme I don't believe our troops are dying because "god hates gay" like some of them say, but what about protesting outside of local government offices? What about letters? What about calling the Presidential Candidates out on the mat about the plan for withdrawing? How many more men and women who are not even old enough to LEGALLY BUY BEER are we going to send home in caskets until we say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH? LCPL Jordan Haerter died a hero in everyone's eyes but he also left this world eaons too soon. He will be remembered by an entire village at the very least, for his sacrifice and he will be remembered with love and respect.
"This Is Who I Am" This is me this is who I am, I am a Marine to the very end. I live by the motto that is Semperi Fi. I come to countries in far off lands to fight for freedom for which most are to scared to stand. Do not judge me for what I do. For what I do I do for you. I will kill for those who cannot kill, I will die for those to scared to. I will leave my loved ones, my kids, my wife I will leave them all behind to give you a better life. I have seen and done things that will haunt my dreams. I have given up many things for you to be free. Do not feel pity for me, for this is my choice. I chose this life so people like you can have a voice. I will die on my feet, I will not live on my knees I will do this so America can stay free. This is me this is who I am, I am a Marine to the very end. "Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend"
