It's a shame!

[2336]

This post is not intended to take anything away from Dale Earnhardt, one of the legends of motorsports, but intended to highlight many, many unsung heroes. Many of you people out there know these unsung heroes. Dale Earnhardt died doing what he loved. He brought in, as I understand, well over $41 million in winnings, brought in even more in endorsements, had a beautiful home and off the track drove some of the most expensive and prestigious automobiles made. On the track he drove one of the most technologically superior race cars, inspected religiously, and any part that had even the most remote possibility of failing was replaced. He was 49 years old and had grown children, one of whom was in the race with him. NASCAR, and all of motorsports will not be the same without him. With all of the media hoopla over his passing, how many of you remember the training accident in Hawaii that claimed the lives of 7 U.S. Army soldiers? How many of you remember the Feb 3rd crash of a Marine Corps TAV-8B Harrier jet that claimed the lives of two Marine Corps aviators? How many of you realize that these 7 Soldiers and two Marines lost their lives training to defend your rights to watch a NASCAR race and to speak your mind on how Dale Earnhardt died? How many of you realize that these service members performed their dangerous duties for a salary that is an embarrassment by comparison to what Mr. Earnhardt earned in his career? How many of you realize that these same service members put their lives on the line day in and day out while living in government housing that is many times sub-standard, many of our service members are eligible for WIC and foodstamps but, because of pride, do not take advantage of them. How many of you realize that the service members that lost their lives recently were someone's son, brother or husband. I had the unenviable task of helping to cut one of the Marine Corps aviators from his ejection seat, the night prior to that we pulled the other pilot's charred remains from the wreckage area. These were men that believed in defending their country and our way of life, to include your right to lament the passing of Dale Earnhardt Sr. How many of you remembered the accident in Hawaii? How many of you remembered the Harrier crash on 3 Feb? Are these men any less heroes than Dale Earnhardt? The young Captain that perished on 3 February, his young widow is pregnant with their only child. Are any of you going to tell his son or daughter, about their Dad? Tomorrow will make 20 years, exactly, of service to the Marine Corps and our nation. In that time I've lost many a brother, in combat and in peace-time. Not to take away anything from Dale Earnhardt, but just remember the unsung heroes!

 

[Pretender]

I dunno what to say. I'm pretty disgruntled about the state of society, but your post pretty much says more than I can right now.

 

[2336]

Thanks Pretender. I feel that all life is precious, but just because someone was famous it doesn't make them any better than the folks that have given their lives to insure our freedoms and priviledges. I was introduced to the reality of military life rather quickly when one of my boot camp buddies died in Beirut. I'm stationed at MCAS Cherry Point right now, just a 45 minute to hour drive to Camp Lejeune where the Beirut memorial is located. I've paid my respects to "Froggy" several times. I'm in Explosive Ordnance Disposal and I've had 4 of my friends die in the 12 years I've been in this MOS. Unfortunately, in peacetime they don't even think about us, but let a conflict flare up and everyone remembers. My Dad served 27 years, 3 yrs Navy and 24 yrs Air Force, and I can vividly remember some of the crap-holes we were forced to live in, especially overseas. I firmly believe that everyone should have to serve at least one tour in the military. It would definitely wake up a lot of folks. Thanks man!

 

[2336]

ttt

 

[Isla]

I agree, most respectfully.

Life seems cheap unless you have some sort of celebrity...

It's tragic.

 

[Namuna]

2336,

It is because of things like what you've said and just the general negativity I feel and hear from my own family (that have served) that kept me from enlisting when I was younger.

 

[vi edit]

Dale Earnheart is probably one of the most famous sports images that didn't play a sport involving a ball of some form. Many people grew up and grew old with Dale. They followed him throughout his career and rejoiced during his wins. For many fans, he was an extended part of their family. His death was like loosing part of the family. It wasn't an easy thing for many people to take, that is why their is so much on the TV about it.

On the other hand, many civilians don't consider the men and women of the military much as individuals. It's the armed forces or the army or the air force, ect. It's not recognized for it's individual members. I'm not saying this is the right representation, but I feel that this is what a lot of people that don't have friends or family in the miltary feel like. Many times if there is a death of a soldier, newspapers simply refer to them as "soldier". They don't use names.

Because of the annomity and more or less withdrawl from civilian society, people don't have any emotional attachment to the members making up the military. Face it, if a McDonalds worker in New York dies while at work, most people in Los Angeles really could give a rats arse. Unfortunately, the same holds true for the military.

Bill Clinton is probably one of the most well known names in the last 5 years, but if he died I doubt their would be much tears shed over it. Earnheart on the other hand had the respect admiration of millions of people. It's just the way our society works.

 

[Sluggo]

Reminds me of when Princess Di and Mother Theresa died within a few days of each other, who did you read more about?

For Shame.....For Shame.

 

[2336]

Namuna, I'm saddened to hear that. Although I've toiled for 20 years in what many would say is a dead-end job, I feel satisfied because I've done something that many look upon with disdain. To paraphrase a poem that was found in the pocket of the flak jacket of a young Marine at Khe Sahn. "I did what others did not want to do, I went where others did not want to go, I was that that others did not want to be. I was a Marine and I did my duty and because of that you have freedom today. That is enough for me!" After reading that (I had been in about 4 years at the time) I knew I had found my calling. I realize that there are folks out there that don't have a lot of respect for the military, in fact I've gone round and round with one of the forum members at SysOpt, you can say what you want and call me whatever names you want. Just realize that I defend your right to say those nasty things and because of my job and dedication, I will defend to the death your right to speak those things, even though I may disagree!