War Is Hell, But The Honorable Chose To Serve.
By William John Hagan
Houston Home Journal (Print Edition)
Warner Robins, GA
My family has chosen to fight and, in many cases die, for the lands of their birth. I am proud of their sacrifice. When called upon by our sovereigns and presidents all bravely went to war with the expectation of dying for their respective nations. Like other families who have offered up their children to the service of the greater good, I feel honored to come from a line of patriots.
In recent times, my uncles served in the greatest battles of World War II. When Pearl Harbor was bombed they signed up, expecting to give their lives for their nation. My father William Hagan Sr., whose leg was crippled by polio, spent all of the Second World War trying to enlist. He had to settle for working domestically for the Intelligence Services. Dad knew that if he was sent to Europe, with his disability, it would result in certain death but his only concern was to fight the Nazis. He simply wanted to serve and, if need be, die for his country.
Currently my former sister-in-law is on her second tour of duty in Iraq. When called upon to serve and leave her son behind, she did not complain but served the nation she had sworn to defend. Years before, in the aftermath of our war in Panama, my brother was one of the many brave soldiers who served without recognition throughout Central and South America. He was almost killed on several occasions, but never once complained. Neither consider themselves to be heroes, but I must honorably disagree. Any person that voluntarily serves their homeland during a time of conflict is a hero.
I have never had the honor of serving in the United States Military, something I greatly regret. I witnessed war, however, firsthand as a ?non-combatant? during the carnage in Yugoslavia. During this time, I was kidnapped by Serbian ?Irregulars? and severely injured during my escape. I learned first hand that war is hell, and still bare the scars.
None of us regret our respective decisions. We all risked our lives and did so knowingly; sometimes a person just has to do the right thing. In my family?s military history we honor our descendents who have died on the battle field. Some of the wars have been ?just?, others have not. But whether it was Northern Ireland, The War of the Roses, the First and Second World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, the War Between the States, or the Crusades, patriots honor those who served and have never blamed their countries for asking for their sacrifice. To do so is to dishonor their legacy.
Why then must Cindy Sheehan, whose son died as a hero, dishonor the memory of her child? Casey Sheehan gave his life fighting a war to free an oppressed people from one of the world?s worst madmen. Casey, like all, who serve in Iraq are heroes and those who made the ultimate sacrifice did not die for naught: They died so that others might one day have the right to live their lives, un-oppressed, and express their opinions like Cindy Sheehan. This woman, who is now financially benefiting from her sons death, is a disgrace to all Americans. The most ghoulish fact is that this woman is now profiteering from her dishonor of a son who freely chose to risk his life in the most heroic of missions: to save his fellow soldiers.
The remainder of the article can be read at William John Hagan?s website:
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