Sgt Jordan Shay (right)
The news came when I signed on to read the latest only to find RIP. It gives me chills just remembering it. Jordan's final post was informal, informative and riveting. It was the best of his all-too-brief career as an army blogger. His family, friends, and readers are devastated. I'm no exception. I went immediately to Alex at "THE ARMY OF DUDE," another blogger, now at home and attending college, who'd also served in Diyala. I felt sure he'd know if it was true. It was a while before the announcement made it to the DOD site, so I'm guessing the announcement on Jordan's blog came from someone close to him.
I've seen three "adopted" soldiers and half a dozen bloggers return safely, and rejoiced from my little corner of the world. Those of us who follow the military blogs are a relatively small crowd and we're inclined to feel like the soldiers are our friends. I'd bet my last nickel that I'm not the only one talking about Jordan on his/her blog.
Rest in peace Jordan and Todd. You had more friends than you knew.
..... ..
Perhaps the surge worked in Iraq. But the friends, family and comrades of Jordan and Todd might not be convinced. American soldiers are still dying there. And what about the "surge" of soldiers coming back with physical and emotional wounds compounded by multiple deployments to A'stan and Iraq.
The answer seems clear to me. A draft would wake up the 98% of the country who went to the mall while our soldiers, marines and sailors went to Iraq and Afghanistan. Seems to me the last war Americans as a whole supported was WWII.
A more honest portrayal of war, and what happens in war, might break thru the lack of concern. But then, how many Americans have even heard of "House to House", "One Bullet Away", "Big Boy Rules", or "Just Another Soldier"? All written by men who've "been there, done that". "No True Glory" written by a journalist is fantastic. The story is out there but most of America just doesn't want to know.
"Over There" - was a weekly series on FX I think, maybe it was Fox, but the fact that it wasn't renewed speaks volumes. There were things about the series that real soldiers scoffed at but the episodes were taken from real incidents and I recognized many of them, including one from "Generation Kill".
A movie (from the book) "Generation Kill" is the most honest, evenhanded portrayal I've seen/read to date. It was on HBO but unless the DVD sales take off I suspect it hasn't had a large audience. After all, why watch something about the war when you can watch SEX IN THE CITY - ok, it may not be on anymore but you get my drift.
Men from the real-life squad were actually in "Generation Kill" tho only Rudy played himself because, as someone so rightly said, "Only Rudy can play Rudy." That's for darn sure, he's one of a kind!! Some of the squad also acted as advisors. It was as real as it could get. But some concessions to the artistic process (excuse me while i gag) had to be made. I think the only way to be totally accurate, the form would have to be more like a documentary.
I'd seen the "Generation Kill" DVD at Walmart but I didn't like the title so I passed on it. So you see, I'm as guilty as the next person of ignoring that which does not appeal. It wasn't until someone online clued me in that I bought it. The realities were disturbing and the first viewing left me feeling really, really uncomfortable. Capt America & Encino Man made my father - a 30 year USAF veteran - seriously bothered. It was hard to watch the first time around but subsequent viewings have shown the humor I missed the first time.
I bet I could ask 50 random people and not find one who has seen or read any of the above.
Men like Jordan, Alex, Michael Yon, others too numerous to mention (tho it gives me an idea for another post) write in spite of the obstacles thrown in their paths. They are the voices I listen to.
Most of America just doesn't want to know.
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