[equinox marathon 43]

As most of you know I have an account on MySpace.<br><br>
Last week, I got a friends request from someone I didn't know. Most of the people in my friends are people I know...some from here, some from work, some from days gone by. I am very reluctant to add anyone that I don't know.<br><br>
Anyway, last week I got a friends request from a young lady and I reluctantly approved it.<br><br>
Today, I got a message from one of her friends. Her fiance was just killed in Iraq in the last few days. Her friend told me "As you can all imagine, she is absolutely devastated."<br><br>
Understand, I don't know her or her fiance, but this one really made me realize something more than I had before. We always hear the numbers on television about "4 soldiers killed in Iraq" or something like that. Many times, I've heard that and it's just gone in one ear and out the other. It's not that I don't appreciate the soldiers or their sacrifices. It's just I didn't know them.<br><br>
For some reason though, this one bothers me a bit. Maybe because it's finally made me realize whenever one of them dies, they are someone's lover, someone's son, someone's daughter, someone's father, someone's mother, someone's brother, someone's sister, etc. These amazing people are over there doing an impossible job.<br><br>
What really bothers me about the news I heard today is how callous it seems like I've been. Hopefully we won't hear about any more soldiers getting killed. However, if we do, please try to think about what I'm thinking about tonight. Every time you hear news like that, remember, somewhere a lot of people are devastated by that news.<br><br>
So tonight folks, if you would, please keep this MySpace friend of mine, and all the families of lost soldiers, in your thoughts.<br><br>
Sorry for the downer folks...

 

[hally]

{{{{{{{{{EQ and your Myspace friend}}}}}}}}}}

 

[equinox marathon 43]

Thanks hally...<br><br>
I'm not sure I need any hugs (but I never turn them down). I'm sure my MySpace friend could use them though.

 

[maccabeth]

It may be a scam. Careful EQ. I get random friend requests all the time.

 

[equinox marathon 43]

Good point Beth. I'll definitely be cautious.<br><br>
But the sentiment of my earlier thought remains the same...

 

[dcoroner77]

1! Beth has a good point here, but just in case you're not being scammed, I'll say a prayer.<br><br>
And you have an excellent point on how events like this make it so much more than 4 anonymous soldiers that were killed.<br><br>
The husband of one of my dearest friends is currently serving his third tour. He's a pilot, and he got shot at yesterday. So your post is damn timely for my world.<br><br>
And just 'cause.... ((((((((EQ)))))))))

 

[ToddEP]

My cousin's son just arrived back from Iraq...safe and sound. Our own Seabee is/was over there...it hits home everyday.

 

[maccabeth]

Definitely. The thought is still very real, unfortunately. Certainly saying a prayer for every soldier out there.

 

[Ileneforward]

When I ran at the beach, the anti-war folks had set up 4 thousand white crosses in the sand.

 

[drgenie]

Whether it's a scam or not, your post is dead on, EQ. Every soldier out there IS someone's loved one and even if it doesn't hit home to us, it definitely hits home to someone.<br><br>
Good food for thought and perspective, thanks for sharing. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[RaisingArizonainNH]

It is thoughtful of you to remind us all to remember the web of people who are hurt by the injuries and deaths of our men and women in Iraq, and Afghanistan too. We have lost a young man from NH who was medic just this week. I also don't thinkwe realize how many close calls that our military face daily.<br>
The Scouts here heard a casual reference by one of their leaders who was in a security detail there, when they learned more about using a compass and maps. He was on the road in Iraq and was tracking their location with a map and compass in addition to the GPS in the vehicle. They were attacked and he told the boys that " A map still works with bullet holes in it... " Apparently after the GPS was shot out and his map, he was able to radio their location to get air support. We at home never realize how close they come to danger.

 

[equinox marathon 43]

I did a little further research.<br><br>
This friend (former friend now) claims to be from the next town over from me. One would assume that, if she was engaged to a soldier serving in Iraq, that he would currently be living in this area.<br><br>
A local television station keeps a list of soldiers from New England that were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and more importantly WHEN they were killed.<br><br>
No one has been added to that list recently. Seems like this is most likely a scam...which definitely pisses me off. There are real families who are losing loved ones over there. Scammers doing this are just disgusting.<br><br>
For all of those who have truly lost a loved one in this war, you have my deepest condolences, sympathies, and gratefulness for your loved one's sacrifice.

 

[equinox marathon 43]

..<br>
wrong thread. Ooops.