Emily Perez is dead-Iraq 1st Black Female West Point Corp Commander

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/9/22/151113/209

Emily Perez had a passion for books. She loved to read. In 2001, she graduated from a public high school outside of Washington DC in an area known mostly for gangs, drugs, death and despair. Emily was straight-A student. She could have attended any university she chose. She chose West Point.

Getting admitted to West Point is no easy feat. You will be evaluated in three areas: academic performance, demonstrated leadership potential, and physical aptitude. In addition, your senator or congressional representative must submit a letter nominating you for consideration.

Emily was a leader among leaders. She was the first black woman to serve as corps commander sergeant major at West Point. She graduated in the top 10% of her class. In spite of all that promise, this story does not have a happy ending.

You will probably not see this story on FOX (she's not blonde enough), or The Today Show (she's not shallow enough), or BET (she's not freaky enough) ... that doesn't mean her story is not important enough.

Lt. Perez joined the Medical Service Corps because she wanted to help people. It was something she always focused on. As a high school student, Perez pushed her church to begin an HIV/AIDS ministry after several family friends became infected with the virus. She was honored in 2001 by the American Red Cross Board of Governors for her work as an AIDS educator.

[Erika]

1. Over 62 American females have lost their lives in Iraq

where women now have diminished roles under the new government and Sharia law as determined by the different tribes, led my males. Saddam led a secular government and women flourished in top jobs.

To see our troop losses, go to www.icasualties.org and select female deaths.

I honor Lt. Perez.

[True Blue Believer]

14. American Women Are Dying To Free Iraq. ERA anyone?

As I recall, the main argument against our passing the Equal Rights Amendment was that it would lead to American women dying in combat. ( BTW, not having the ERA did not protect women from the draft as was claimed. Women could have been drafted right along with men, if the draft had ever been reinstated. Still could happen.)

But these women chose to stand up and volunteer to fight to defend our country, little knowing that Bush would waste their lives in a bogus war.

How ironic that now, even as American women are fighting and dying in combat, supposedly to "liberate" Iraq, they are not deemed worthy of an amendment in our Bill Of Rights that assures them equality under our own nation's laws.

American woman have served in combat with tremendous valor. They have proven that women are more than able and capable of serving in our military. Willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, willing to give their very lives.

What possible reasoning could the right wingers possibly now put forward now opposing the ERA? (Though I'm sure they'll try to come up with something. )

It's time that we passed the ERA, in honor of these women, and all the many other sacrifices women have made for this country. American women have more than earned this show of respect, earned it by shedding their blood, by giving their lives.

It's time.

[MadMaddie]

2. She was only 23 years of age....

We are losing these young lives everyday for what....to stay the course...

The American people owe these soldiars and their families our strength and will to get them out of a war that is not winnable by US military force...

This life lost....a future leader.....how truely sad....it breaks my heart everytime I read these stories....

[ribrepin]

3. Recommended

Such a pretty young woman.

[Erika]

5. She was a beautiful woman

Note that 34% of our troops are low income and 17% are high income. The rest are middle income.

[pansypoo53219]

4. what a fucking waste

for a fucking waste of oedipal shit.

a pox on the neoconderthals.

[Erika]

6. W won't send over the twins for sure

None of the Bush clan is in Iraq. Imagine that.

[dicknbush]

7. Not only did Bush waist his life......

He waists others.....other lives that are much more important then his scummy little life is worth!

[NVMojo]

8. When are the Bush twins going to Iraq?

[Erika]

9. The Bushes don't do "ugly"

That's below their class in life. Since Reagan, a caste system is building in our society, slowly but steadily.

[Tin Man]

10. RIP Emily.

Very sad. War is a lose-lose proposition.

[bronxiteforever]

11. Another loss-what sad and powerful story

Thank you for posting this.
It is clear that Emily Perez was so much better than the leaders who sent her to die. This fall we will be exposed to the paltry political showmanship of swift boaters and their offspring- but they cannot replace this loss of Emily. And this is only one loss. Look at the tears in Iraqis morgues. They lost their Emily Perez's too. I have read these posts of the fallen since 2003 because I believe it is my duty indeed all Americans duty to not turn away from these deaths. To not face the truth of this war is to hide the truth and that is evil itself.

How can there not be accountability this fall for the blood split by the GOP? How can the princes of privilege who rule this land NOT be voted out for doing the one thing you can never give back- the taking of human life? A war against a people who did not declare on us is something that cannot be swept under the carpet. I will remember Emily in November.

[RamboLiberal]

12. Jennifer Marie Hartman, 21 - And another Female Soldier Dead

http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/local/15592711.htm

An Army soldier from Schuylkill County who wrote in an online profile that she feared "getting blown up in Iraq" was among three people killed in a suicide bombing in Baghdad, the military and her father said.

Jennifer Marie Hartman, 21, was in her barracks at a west Baghdad electrical substation that her unit was guarding when the Sept. 14 car bombing occurred, the Department of Defense said Friday. Two other soldiers were killed and another 30 were wounded.

Hartman's parents, David and Bernice Hartman, were notified several days ago that their daughter might have been killed in the attack, but a positive identification could not be made immediately. Her father said the Army confirmed her identity through records of a previous foot injury.

The Tamaqua High School graduate entered the Army in July 2003 and was sent to Iraq in December 2005.

Sgt Hartman is from my home state of PA who has lost too many. In November as I vote for Casey and my local Dem congressperson, I'll be thinking of Emily and Jennifer and all the other 2700+ who have died because of Bush, Santorum and all the other Repukes and neocons. As I posted Emily's story last night I had tears in my eyes for such a beautiful woman and such promise of a real leader and humanitarian lost to our country. I doubt it, but I sincerely wish their faces would haunt Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Rice, Powell, Santorum and all the other Repukes and neocons in their nightmares for the rest of their sorry lives.

[bronxiteforever]

13. Right on Rambo! I work with

folks from Schuylkill County. The Commonwealth has lost so many.
I too will be voting as soon the sun rises on that Tuesday in November. And may we wipe little Ricky's smirk from our Commonwealth for the honor of Ben Franklin and the memory of the 2700.