Death Comes Knocking

[MSgt213]

The e-mail to John Witmer from his daughter Michelle came on Father's Day in 2003.

"Dear Daddy," it said, "Happy Father's Day. I love you so much and you can't imagine how often I think of you. I hope you have lots of fun today and that the weather is lovely.

"We had a briefing telling us to prepare ourselves as best as possible for what lies ahead. Things like children running out in front of vehicles to try and get them to stop. We have to prepare ourselves to hit people because stopping is not an option. I guess every convoy that's gone up north so far has taken fire or been ambushed. The question of whether we will or not is not even really a question, more like a guess as to when.

"These things, as you can imagine, are a lot to take in. I'm doing my best. I've been a little depressed lately but I'm trying to keep my chin up. I really miss home. Tomorrow will be exactly three months since I got deployed. Wow, time does not fly. Jeez, this letter wasn't supposed to be down. Sorry. Back to the point. Happy Father's Day. I love and miss you so much.

"Love, Shelly."

Specialist Michelle Witmer of New Berlin, Wis., survived for nearly 10 more slowly moving months in Iraq, until she was cut down by enemy fire in Baghdad last April 9. She was 20 when she died.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/12/opinion/12herbert.html?oref=login&hp

[XanaDUer]

1. And all for a lie.

A big, fat lie.

PS-On reflection, why aren't Americans screaming in the streets about this?

They are running a nonstop Laci Peterson fest on two channels (okay, one just ended) and there are Americans and Iraqui civilians dying for a lie.