Ends Justifying The Means
11.18.05A letter from a soldier.
Mom,
Be my voice. I want this message heard. It is mine and my platoon’s to the country. A man I know lost his legs the other night. He is in another company in our batallion. I can no longer be silent after watching the sacrifices made by Iraqis and Americans everyday.Send it to a congressman if you have to. Send it to FOX news if you have to. Let this message be heard please…
My fellow Americans, I have a task for those with the courage and fortitude to take it. I have a message that needs not fall on deaf ears. A vision the blind need to see. I am not a political man nor one with great wisdom. I am just a soldier who finds himself helping rebuild a country that he helped liberate a couple years ago.
I have watched on television how the American public questions why their mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters are fighting and dying in a country 9000 miles away from their own soil. Take the word of a soldier, for that is all I am, that our cause is a noble one. The reason we are here is one worth fighting for. A cause that has been the most costly and sought after cause in our small span of existence on our little planet. Bought in blood and paid for by those brave enough to give the ultimate sacrifice to obtain it. A right that is given to every man, woman, and child I believe by God. I am talking of freedom.Freedom. One word but yet countless words could never capture it’s true meaning or power. “For those who have fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know.†I read that once and it couldn’t be more true. It’s not the average American’s fault that he or she is “blind and deaf†to the taste of freedom. Most American’s are born into their God given right so it is all they ever know. I was once one of them. I would even dare to say that it isn’t surprising that they take for granted what they have had all their life. My experiences in the military however opened my eyes to the truth.
Ironically you will find the biggest outcries of opposition to our cause from those who have had no military experience and haven’t had to fight for freedom. I challenge all of those who are daring enough to question such a noble cause to come here for just a month and see it first hand. I have a feeling that many voices would be silenced.
I watched Cindy Sheehan sit on the President’s lawn and say that America isn’t worth dying for. Later she corrected herself and said Iraq isn’t worth dying for. She badmouthed all that her son had fought and died for. I bet he is rolling over in his grave.
Ladies and gentleman I ask you this. What if you lived in a country that wasn’t free? What if someone told you when you could have heat, electricity, and water? What if you had no sewage systems so human waste flowed into the streets? What if someone would kill you for bad-mouthing your government? What if you weren’t allowed to watch TV, connect to the internet, or have cell phones unless under extreme censorship? What if you couldn’t put shoes on your child’s feet?
You need not to have a great understanding of the world but rather common sense to realize that it is our duty as HUMAN BEINGS to free the oppressed. If you lived that way would you not want someone to help you????
The Iraqi’s pour into the streets to wave at us and when we liberated the cities during the war they gathered in the thousands to cheer, hug and kiss us. It was what the soldier’s in WW2 experienced, yet no one questioned their cause!! Saddam was no better than Hitler! He tortured and killed thousands of innocent people. We are heroes over here, yet American’s badmouth our President for having us here.
Every police station here has a dozen or more memorials for officers that were murdered trying to ensure that their people live free. These are husbands, fathers, and sons killed every day. What if it were your country? What would your choice be? Everything we fight for is worth the blood that may be shed. The media never reports the true HEROISM I witness everyday in the Iraqi’s. Yes there are bad one’s here, but I assure you they are a minuscule percent. Yet they are a number big enough to cause worry in this country’s future.
I have watched brave souls give their all and lose thier lives and limbs for this cause. I will no longer stand silent and let the “deaf and blind†be the only voice shouting. Stonewall Jackson once said, “All that I have, all that I am is at the service of the country.†For these brave souls who gave the ultimate sacrifice, including your son Cindy Sheehan, I will shout till I can no longer. These men and women are heroes. Their spirit lives on in their military and they will never be forgotten. They did not die in vain but rather for a cause that is larger than all of us.My fellow countrymen and women, we are not overseas for our country alone but also another. We are here to spread democracy and freedom to those who KNOW the true taste of it because they fight for it everyday. You can see the desire in their eyes and I am honored to fight alongside them as an Infantryman in the 101st Airborne.
Freedom is not free, but yet it is everyone’s right to have. Ironic isn’t it? That is why we are here. Though you will always have the skeptics, I know that most of our military will agree with this message. Please, at the request of this soldier spread this message to all you know. We are in Operation Iraqi Freedom and that is our goal. It is a cause that I and thousands of others stand ready to pay the ultimate sacrifice for because, Cindy Sheehan, freedom is worth dying for, no matter what country it is! And after the world is free only then can we hope to have peace.
SGT Walter J. Rausch and 1st Platoon
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Dag! If you don't get it then noone
THANX FOR POSTING THIS, SF! This was beautiful. GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY…. Thanx for all you do.
*hugs*
Kat in GA
November 19th, 2005
Thanks so much for the wonderful letter and message. I appreciate very much what all the military are doing to preserve our freedom and the freedom of others. Please know there are many many God-fearing and freedom-loving people who believe what you are doing is right and absolutely necessary. When I see anyone in uniform, my eyes well up with tears and I have to stop myself from running into their arms to thank them. I have discovered that dialoguing with anti-war ranters and ravers is useless. Some of these people are my friends and family. But I will do whatever I can(sign petitions, call congress, send money) to promote the war effort until the thing is done. God bless you all!
gloria mayoh
November 19th, 2005
THANK YOU SGT. RAUSCH AND MANY THANKS TO YOUR WONDERFUL MOM FOR GETTING THIS LETTER OUT INTO THE PUBLIC ARENA…I AM GOING TO DO WHAT EVER I CAN TO GET IT SPREAD EVEN FURTHER…I PROUDLY SALUTE YOU AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ONLY TRYING TO GIVE FREEDOM…MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL WHO SO PROUDLY SERVE FOR THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM !!!
P.S DONT LET THE IDIOTIC LEFT WING IN THIS COUNTRY GET YOU DOWN..WE WILL TAKE CARE OF THEM
Barry Marshall
November 19th, 2005
Sgt. Rausch I salute you! What a wonderful and heartfelt letter. And one I agree with wholeheartedly.
I apologize to all our service men for our spineless Congressmen and their defeatist rhetoric (they must be French!)
The defeatists & appeasers in this country (including some of our spineless Congressmen) are the vocal minority that gets all the news coverage in America, just like the “insurgents” are the small but vocal minority getting all the news in Iraq. All the Americans I know personally are support your efforts in Iraq, the War on Terror, and behind our President. But you will never hear about that in the newspapers or on CNN.
Hang in there, we know you are doing a magnificent job. We are as proud of you as your parents are. God bless you all for your dedicated service, your bravery and your sacrifice. And may he keep you all safe from harm.
Joyce Romano
November 19th, 2005
All I have to say is AMEN!!! Thank you God for brave guys like you that are the reason we have the freedom we have today. Why shouldn’t everyone experience the same freedom!!??
Lisa Tice
November 19th, 2005
Churchill said it best, “Never have so many owed so much to so few.”
Warthog
November 19th, 2005
Sgt. Rausch,
I heard your letter you wrote to you mother on the Tammy Bruce show yesterday. I support and salute you. Please let us know what more we can do to support you and your fellow soldiers fighting this war on terror. It is quite obvious that a lot of liberal democrats and maybe a few liberal republicans do not give you the support you soldiers need. Good luck and God bless you.
Charles Caldwell
USAF veteran
Charles Caldwell
November 20th, 2005
As a veteran from the time of Vietnam and a former member of the 101st Airborne 1972-1974 and the Army from 1972-1982. I can say with pride to you and your men, thanks for your sacrifices and dedication to duty. Thank you for sharing your views to us back here and letting us know that our faith in you and your men is not misplaced. May the all mighty look over you and your men and bring you all home soon.
Raympmd Mars
November 20th, 2005
Sgt. Rausch, from the bottom of my heart I thank you and all the other brave men in the military for the job you are doing. I believe you are making the U.S. safer and, very likely, preventing my young grandchildren from having to battle future terrorists. My heart, my thoughts, and my prayers are with you every day. Come home safely.
Linda Prue
November 20th, 2005
ALLTHEWAY,SARGE..ALLTHEWAY!!
BillH
November 20th, 2005
Hey SF,
Thank You again for serving and for the letter. Hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving:mrgreen:
SK
November 21st, 2005
Sure Fire, your sentiments are felt by millions of Americans across the country. We will not stand idly by while you and your brothers and sisters in arms are standing guard on Freedom’s Border. You have my thanks and admiration. Tell the men of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) that we proudly support your mission and the cause of freedom. God Bless. E Pluribus Unum!
AZ
American Zulu (TheWorkingPatriot)
November 21st, 2005
Ends Justifying the means
“My fellow countrymen and women, we are not overseas for our country alone but also another. We are here to spread democracy and freedom to those who KNOW the true taste of it because they fight for it everyday.”
The Working Patriot
November 21st, 2005
Can’t thank you enough, but you should know that our thoughts and good wishes are with you all, as long as it takes!
Ronit
November 21st, 2005
Sgt. Rausch, Please be assured that there are multitudes here at home that absolutely believe not only in what you are doing but hope and pray for your safety and success. We are not silent. There is a constant battle trying to overcome what the elite media espouses everyday. We don’t fall victims to their biases and do our best to see to it that our friends don’t either. You keep up the good fight and pleased don’t become discouraged. You’ve got our back and we have yours. Stay safe and come home soon. Craig
Craig Stern
November 21st, 2005
thanks to all the men an women that have died for defending out freedom it should be that way no matter what counntry its for and no has the right to say that a country isnt worth living for:wink:
shawna
November 21st, 2005
Thank you SGT Rausch and all our fellow servicemen and women. If we don’t finish this war then the United States will never be able to go to war again to protect our freedom and freedom of others as our enemies will know that our congress and senate does not have the backbone to accept the true value and support of service personnel such as you Mr Rausch. We will never have the freedom that millions of us enjoy now. God bless you.
US Navy retired
Richard McIntosh
November 21st, 2005
Former Navy Vietnam Vet. Thank you for your wonderful letter. Thank you very very nuch for protecting this great country and helping to free Iraq, I know they love you for it. God Bless you and every soldier,airman,sailor and marine serving our country. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas to you all. Be safe and come home soon.
Steve Autry USN-RM2 Vietnam Vet
Steve Autry
November 22nd, 2005
Thanks for the letter , I will pass it on to as many as I can in the hopes that some will be enlightened . I am behind you all the way .
Edward Muldoon
November 22nd, 2005
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVE OUR ARMED SERVICES. WITHOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES SACRIFICES, WE WOULD NOT HAVE THE FREEDOMS WE HAVE TODAY. ALL ONE HAS TO DO IS GO TO MEXICO AND LOOK WRONG AT A POLICEMAN TO FIND OUT HOW BAD IT IS HERE. AS AVIET NAM VET, I KNOW WHAT IT IS TO NOT BE APPRECIATED, BUT TO THOSE OF US THAT UNDERSTAND, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE HEROS. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS.
BRUCE PARKS
November 22nd, 2005
Dear Amsterdam, I hope you enjoy a fine tase of censorship. Seeing as you are not from my beloved home country, and you chose to bash the freedoms that you yourself do not have….I’ll just keep it that way. Oh and feel free to drop off the face of the earth while you’re over ther for comments like that.
Sure Fire
November 23rd, 2005
Dear Sgt. Raush,
I believe in you and the job you are doing. Please let your
platoon know that there are alot of people back home that
you will never see in the news who respect your service….
and the sacrifice of your families. Believe it and never forget
it. I pray for you every night.
CeCe
November 23rd, 2005
Please know that while you are fighting terrorists & insurgents in Iraq, many of us are fighting liberals & the MSM here in the USA. We are all in a fight for our future of our country. But you all have our total admiration and respect for the wonderful job you in the armed forces are doing for America, and for Iraq & Afghanistan. In years to come, when democracy finally takes hold in that medieval hellhole, they will all have YOU fine young men and women to thank for their newfound freedoms. God bless you all.
Rachel
November 24th, 2005
Thanks to all of you for your comments regarding our son’s letter. We are proud of him and all servicemen and women who have served and are now serving their country. I have been surfing the internet daily and have found that Walter’s letter is being spread around and we have no one to thank but all of you who continue to share his and his platoon’s message….
God Bless you all!
Regards,
Maggie Rausch
Maggie Rausch
November 24th, 2005
What a shame that all the media does is focus on the negative and someone named Sheehan.
As a vetern myself I know the importance of finishing a mission.
As an American I am proud of our President and all the military that give and gave so much.
Thank You and Well Done!
Al Hartman
December 1st, 2005
[…] also has a letter from a sergeant in the 101st Airborne about Iraq. Go read it. I also suggest you stop by and read what Chap has written over the past week or so. […]
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