To the Editor:
The world has become a complicated place and the United States has become a complicated nation. Complicated in ways that many of us would never have thought possible. No longer can …
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To the Editor:
The world has become a complicated place and the United States has become a complicated nation. Complicated in ways that many of us would never have thought possible. No longer can someone express their point of view without being labeled some type of bigot or racist or hater.
No longer can a person express an opinion without being shouted down by others. And worst of all, no longer can a person love their country without being ridiculed, by those, who in many cases, have reaped the rewards of their country, while returning nothing but unsubstantiated rhetoric and abusive taunts and challenges.
Fortunately, for those of us who have read and studied history, including the history of other nations, these individuals reveal themselves to be the empty vessels they truly are.
Having spent most of my life living in other countries, and in assisting many different types of people, in many diverse lands, I have learned to appreciate most people for who they are. People usually want to be left to live in peace and have a simple life, whereby they can support themselves and their children. In Iraq I met many wonderful people who truly believed in peace and harmony. I also met people who believed in a Holy War and I was attacked by them daily. But at least I was there to witness what was taking place first hand not from behind a desk.
It is very easy to criticize and label a person from the safety of one’s living room. I was in Iraq for nine months and I was attacked by rockets and mortars on a daily basis. And still I truly cared for many of the people there. There was a young boy who sold various items in a local shop. He had been disfigured by a rocket attack. Every day for two weeks I brought him coloring books, crayons, pencils, writing paper and hygiene items for his family. I tried to show him that some of us care and I didn’t do it from the safety of my den. I did it face to face in Baghdad.
Sgt. John Cervone, (US Army) Retired
North Providence
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