The Troops are Out of Sight, Out of Mind

My fear of America forgetting about our veterans and troops has kept me motivated through the years. I’m grateful for the other writers and reporters out there who have faithfully covered the troops and veterans during these tough times.

I am appreciative that the Monterey Herald has allowed me the chance to continue to write this column, for when they could easily have said no more and used the Web site space for something else, they have said yes. It’s important for these stories to be shared. Those of us who write have been given an incredible gift. I have tried to live up to that.

Troubling to me is the little television and Internet media attention given to the recent loss of lives suffered in the Middle East. With the recent surge in Afghanistan, there was sure to be casualties and my fears became a reality, as sadly, the number continues to go higher and with one being taken as a prisoner of war.

The troops have taken a backseat to other news items of the day. Their importance has been delegated to the bottom of a news Web site or in a small corner of a section of a newspaper on next to the last page.

Instead of taking notice of the sacrifices being made, I look to the Internet that gives big headlines that the Pentagon is considering a ban on smoking for the troops. Smoking? What’s next; take away their cup of coffee, chewing gum?

I can think of a whole laundry list of urgent issues the Pentagon should be reviewing instead of taking away personal rights of the troops like their right to a cigarette. Regardless, comments about that are for another debate, and more important, how about the same, big headlines recognizing those fallen from war?

We can give huge coverage and headlines to celebrities and sports stars, but how about our troops? I’m sure there is a percentage of men and women in uniform who enjoy their cigarettes, but quite frankly, I think they would appreciate it more if the news would cover their fallen comrades with recognition.

I would like to bring attention to the more than 5,000 American men and women who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and the more than 33,000 who have been wounded in action. Also, please recognize the sacrifice and service of the coalition forces from Great Britain, Canada, Germany, Australia, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Portugal, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania and South Korea.

All media coverage is a living testament that these men and women in uniform have lived and it is in their passing that they must continue to be recognized so that they are never forgotten. The troops may not always be in our sight, but they should always be in our minds. I think they’ve earned our attention.

Donna Teresa can be reached at [email protected]