The News We Don't See

We've been led since childhood to view soldiers as killers. And with the current war in Iraq, we've seen thousands upon thousands of men and women dressed in their battle uniforms, being shipped away from home to defend our country, and the country that they're being deployed to. We see them with guns, fighting for freedom. We see news coverage daily of bombs going off, or soldiers firing upon the enemy. We assume that these soldiers are trained to kill. After all, that's what war is for.

But, do we stop and realize that our soldiers are people just like us? Do we take a moment in our busy lives to wonder where they came from or who their family is? We assume that they're trained to be heartless and not care about the country that they're currently deployed to, or about the people within that country. We don't stop the consider that these soldiers, although they are defending our freedom and the freedom of the Iraqi people, also have a heart.

They live and love just like we do.

Recently I received photos from an undisclosed source that shows just how much heart our soldiers really have. For those who, for lack of a better term, "disagree" with the war in Iraq, whatever your reasons, take a moment to think about the men and women who spend every day and night defending you. These aren't heartless people, these are caring human beings, who only want their families to be safe and happy.

And while I in no way believe in war, I do believe in our soldiers. I believe that they are the greatest humans in the world to put themselves through the torture of being away from their families. I believe that they deserve to be recognized, not only when they've killed the enemy, or been killed themselves, but when they show true heart. I believe we should see the side of them that made them fly thousands of miles from home to do what they feel they are led to do.

I also believe that the news should show not only the bad, but also the good. I believe that the good should be shown more often. I believe that we should honor our soldiers, not only because they are in a foreign country, defending that country and ours, but they should be honored, because they have, in spite of the constant, daily turmoil that they endure, kept their heart. We at home can't imagine the horror that some of these soldiers go through, and to live in such conditions, and still retain the ability to love and to see the good in life, deserves a medal in itself.

Look at the pictures that accompany this article. These pictures that never made headlines. The pictures that didn't show what normal news stories show. The pictures that apparently weren't good enough to make the front page. Our soldiers are not heartless, killing machines. They are loving, heart-filled, heroes.

The next time you decide to voice your opinion over the war, take a moment to consider the men and women who are representing us, and be glad that you are not one of them. More importantly, be proud that we have so many kind and generous heroes who are willing to put themselves in danger to defend you. Be proud of our soldiers. I am.