Rescue of Journalist Stephen Farrell by NATO Special Forces On 9/9/09

That this rescue mission was even necessary angers me. These troops were not sent into this war zone so that they could protect journalists who choose to go into a hostile area alongside the military forces. Troops are sent there to fight a war on terrorism. Journalists choose to accompany them to report the events of these conflicts, as they happen. They should never BECOME the story, and they should not knowingly endanger the lives of their translators, coalition troops, or innocent civilians.

When this story is told, the same effort must be given to the many ‘angles’ of this event: The poor judgment of a journalist hungry for a story; the heroism of those troops who risked their lives and rescued him; the horrific actions of the Taliban kidnappers and murderers; the sacrifice of human life -- all for a story that was probably intended to undermine the very forces who saved his life. All of this must be reported to give a true picture of what really happened. 

You can find a pretty fair assessment of this story here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/11/stephen-farrell-ignored-advice-taliban

Our True Super-Heroes

MySpace Comments - MySpace Layouts - Photobucket

September 11

Where were you on September 11, 2001? That question seems to have replaced the question “Where were you when Jack Kennedy was shot” for my generation. I was a tiny girl, and don’t really have a clear recollection of the Kennedy assassination, but my memory of 9/11/01 is as vivid – probably more due to terror – as it was on that day.

This day began as the “International Day of Peace” proclaimed by the United Nations to occur on the opening day of the regular session of the UN General Assembly. (http://www.un.org/events/ref40.htm) A day intended by the United Nations to be devoted to “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples" went so far to the opposite extreme that it is simply unfathomable.

On the eighth anniversary of the terror attacks on United States soil, I’ve been glued to the television. Although I work at home, these days I rarely turn on the set over my computer until evening. Today, I’ve watched the memorial services, and the “replays” of the event, as seen through many eyes and cameras. Although I can’t seem to switch stations, The History Channel’s “102 minutes that changed America” is particularly difficult to watch, as it shows not only the professional views of the attacks, but also the views from amateur video recordings. More emotions from people in the streets of New York than I’ve ever seen from that day. The video testimony assaults me both mentally and physically, much as the live coverage did on that significant day in our nation’s history.

Facebook Comments and Graphics
Source: Satisfaction.com

I Want My Life Back!

While driving the lengthy trip home from my doctor’s office yesterday after my regular follow-up visit, I was trying to sort my emotions related to our discussion. My doc is “real people” … a man who understands that I need him to help enable me to do as much as I can without hurting myself. We really talk, and he really listens. He takes good care of me ... when I follow orders.

One never dreams, when climbing into a vehicle as a passenger, that it could be a life-altering experience. Our mind is on where we want to go, and how to get there. I never thought about how a slight movement of the steering wheel could cause a vehicle to hit the edge of the pavement wrong and tumble over a mountainside. But, it happened. I sustained nerve damage to my neck and arms, and I lost the use of my right arm and hand. Surgery restored most of the function to my right hand … most of the time … but I will always have severe nerve pain.

My doctor just told me that I will be having tests next week to confirm or rule out yet another medical issue. The trauma from that accident ten years ago set off a chain of progressive medical conditions that I still struggle to manage, and I don’t think I am ready to cope with another. I seriously never want to hear another diagnosis. On the way home I was thinking, “I just want my life back.”

The day exhausted me, so I lay down to try and rest. I just couldn’t get my mind off the doctor visit, and couldn’t rest. It was then that I realized I was feeling more than a little bit sorry for myself!

My mind went to our military personnel who are physically injured or psychologically traumatized while serving our Country – for ME – and I was embarrassed by my earlier thoughts. I can only imagine how much each of those service members wants his or her life back. Some will recover completely, and hopefully get that life back. Most will never be quite the same, and many more will have their lives changed in ways that their present doesn’t even resemble their former lives. As a result, some will experience far worse than I have or will.

The memory is still fresh of how I was so scared when I ‘came to’ and couldn’t feel my hand. How relieved I felt when the paramedics arrived on the scene. How frightening it was to be strapped to a board with a brace around my neck to immobilize it. This experience is one of the reasons that I became involved in Operation: Quiet Comfort. It is important to me that I help support and comfort our injured at their first stop for medical care.

While I can’t guarantee that I won’t indulge in another bout of self-pity, I am certain that my thoughts will always return to my concern for those who are putting it all on the line for me. And I will try to endure whatever comes with more grace than I did yesterday.

Please join us in demonstrating that a grateful Nation TRULY thanks our wounded warriors and the amazing medical professionals who care for them. www.operationquietcomfort.com