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The Conners REPORT |
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April 2008
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The latest casualty was Army Private Andrew Habsieger. On April 2, His funeral procession left a church in Festus, traveling 26 miles, ending at Jefferson Barracks where Private Habsieger was laid to rest with other heroes. I did not cover this story, but unfortunately in the midst of another war, I've covered many like it. The pictures this time are mirror images of that distant past and the more recent past. The heart breaking emotions ... are always so raw ... so painful. Only the names and locations are different. As Private Habsieger's hearse passed ... witnesses stood silent with hands over their hearts ... and many were holding American flags. Most watched through eyes of tears. Later, the children might suffer fear, uncertainty, confusion, and a deep gnawing pain. Hopefully, their parents will recognize the signs and offer a hug and hushed words that might bring some comfort. But who could give that kind of hug to the parents? I do believe it was important for children to take part in this final tribute to a soldier --- who just a dozen years earlier .. was a child like them. Private Habsieger was 22 when that killing device known as an IED wiped out his young life. He was a 2004 graduate of Festus High School were he was a star athlete. His coach says that Andy broke his leg in one game, but continue to play .. in that game and the rest of the season. Another coach said: half-a-Habsieger was better than most other players. News 4 Reporter Ray Preston said those who knew Andy ... said he was someone who "defended the weak and stood up the bullies". Private Andrew Habsieger is one more name on a list of those we owe so much. It's a debt we can not truly repay. We can only honor their sacrifice. We thank each and everyone of them ... and each of their families. 3 CommentsLeave a comment |
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Take care private,
Chief USN Retired
I wonder why there was not this outpouring of
support & emotion when the bodybags flowed home
from VietNam. Almost 56,000 brave young men and
women gave the ultimate sacrifice, yet are bare-
ly remembered today. What a shame!!!
As a old Marine, I have wrestled with the loss of a war in which we won every fight I was in. This article makes me wonder if the sweat and blood and loss was worth it for my country? An now, I wonder if a new generation of Marines, Sailors, and Airman are being sold out my the same internal enemy?
Subject: General Giap's Memoirs
A Must Read for Veterans of the Viet-Nam Era - Giap's Memoirs
Gen Giap is a very interesting man. He was a history teacher/professor by vocation. He never attended any military academy yet he was a brilliant military tactician. He faught the Japanese, French, and the USA. He was pro American for much of his life but developed a fierce hatred for the French. His first wife, a underground operative during the French-Indochina war, was captured by the French and tourchered to death. He was the architect of the Viet-min victory over the French at Dien Ben Phu. His bio is a good read. Oly
General, North Vietnamese Army
General Vo Nguyen Giap.
General Giap was a brilliant, highly respected leader of the North Vietnam military. The following quote is from his memoirs currently found in the Vietnam war memorial in Hanoi :
'What we still don't understand is why you Americans stopped the bombing of Hanoi. You had us on the ropes. If you had pressed us a little harder, just for another day or two, we were ready to surrender! It was the same at the battles of TET. You defeated us! We knew it, and we thought you knew it. But we were elated to notice your media was definitely helping us. They were causing more disruption in America than we could in the battlefields. We were ready to surrender. You had won!'
General Giap has published his memoirs and confirmed what most Americans knew. The Vietnam war was not lost in Vietnam -- it was lost at home. The exact same slippery slope, sponsored by the US media, is currently well underway. It exposes the enormous power of a biased media to cut out the heart and will of the American public.
A truism worthy of note: Do not fear the enemy, for they can take only your life. Fear the media far more, for they will destroy your honor.
Urban Legends Reference Pages: General Vo Nguyen Giap on Vietnam