Ash Lee a Reporter

Ash Lee a Reporter

by Peter Macdonald

Ash Lee a reporter for a I believe NH newspaper wrote an Article “Freedom isn’t free”. She asks people to think! The article is about Veterans and what they do for the United States. I was touched by the meaning not so much the article. Don’t get me wrong it is Pulitzer Prize in my book were most articles are just articles.

Ash Lee in a simple way told some thing that had meaning to Veteran’s as well as a nation. I do not know if this reporter truly understood the mental and physical conquests that a Veteran faces every day, for the rest of their lives. I do know that Ash Lee said thank you in a way Veterans will understand and make pride raise in our blood. Most reporters will go a life time trying to write such an article where the meaning is as important as the words in the article. Her web site is (isitjustash.com)

I volunteered in 1999 to help a Madbury NH family that was so desperate they called me (someone they had never met) for help. They had read one of my letters to the editor on zoning issues. I am a 100% disabled Veteran that volunteers every day since I came back to the “World” U.S. in 74. Ash Lee’s article in a strange way told why Veterans have so much pride in the U.S. She with out saying it told about how children go off to fight and come back Veterans. She talked about the unspoken fear in every Veterans mind while in country. “will life end today” The duty to continue as her uncle did in Korean after being wounded or injured because of pride and duty to this country. Ash Lee told in a hidden manner highlights how returning Veterans return to a country that has become complacent with what Veterans have given them. Children go off to live through hell while the people we are protecting are degrading us in the safety we provide. A Veteran returns with mental and physical baggage most of the time hidden to stop the ones we love from understanding our weaknesses. Some of us can not maintain a relationship, become drugs or alcohol addicts, others become homeless or just survive living what you perceive as a normal life. I volunteer not for the gratitude but as a way to make what so many have given their lives for not be in Vain. I volunteer to say thank you to every Veteran Dead or Alive.

Ash Lee has asked me to stop e-mailing her. That is her right. Her ethical duty is to report the harm that NH has done to this and all Veteran. She should ask the NH Governor Lynch why this Veteran is not good enough to speak with him. Each of us has a duty to this country. A reporters duty is to report the unbiased facts. Just because I am a disabled Veteran with a big mouth does not mean NH has a right to take my freedom to stop my free speech. Ash Lee wrote an article on “Freedom isn’t free” that has a meaning I believe even Ash Lee does not really conceive. I do believe her Thank You, to all Veterans places my pride and belief in the United States gives honor to what I did. It does not change the fact now I believe Killing is wrong. At 17 to Kill with out feeling or emotion and to this day feel no shame conflicts with a society that does not understand. Ash Lee’s article I believe will make pride raise in any veteran that reads it. I thank the people of the United States for allowing this veteran to return to a nation that I do not belong.

Peter Macdonald Sgt USMC Semper Fi