Crawford, Texas.
Just a little spot on the map mostly unknown to anyone who hadn't lived there
just a few short years ago.
Now, it's the adopted home town of President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura
Bush. That made it a lot more than a spot on the map.
Rather than benefit from this association, the small town folk in Crawford have
found it is sometimes a blessing, and most times a curse, having the President
live within their town (on a ranch nearby at least) because it draws a lot of
people to Crawford, most of whom the little town could have done without.
Then came a little thing called "The Iraq War" and all the trimmings. Those who
understand what we're trying to accomplish wanted to come to Crawford to support
the President and encourage our troops. Hoping this would discourage our enemies
and help shatter their will.
Others, who do not understand what we're trying to accomplish, and can only see
as far as their own simple interests, wanted to come to Crawford to appeal to
the President to change our national policy to reflect their views, no matter
how much damage that might do. They wanted to feel good now, not later when we'd
accomplished our mission. The cannot take the long view, get the big picture,
it's all about the here and now.
So a group of these people went to Crawford because of a grieving mother who'd
lost a son who was a soldier. Her son is a hero, giving his life in the defense
of freedom, in the attempt to spread democracy across a land that had never
known freedom. To a people who have been abused and tortured by their own, never
to know what it's like to be free to go where they wanted, to say what they
thought without fear of retribution from their government, and to enjoy the
fruits of their labor without interference.
Yes, her son died. As many sons and daughters have died. In many wars, in many
places, for many causes. He died a hero in the eyes of his fellow soldiers, and
in the eyes of America. He gave his life for something larger than himself,
something that can affect millions of people in a positive way, if only we
continue the mission for which he gave his life.
No one can blame a mother for grieving, nor for wanting some peace after such a
tragic event as the loss of a son. I don't say child because he was not a child,
he was a man, and he had put away childish things and signed up for a second
tour of duty in the U. S. Army after having been to Iraq already, and had seen
what was going on there. He was a man, ready to accept the responsibility and
risks that come with being a man. He was a warrior, prepared for the battles and
steeled against the fire. He was already tested and had been found worthy. He
had no scales upon his eyes, he knew, and accepted his duty willingly. He stood
tall.
The enemy looks on. The enemy sees the protests and the wailing of the mother
and those swirling around her. They see only the protests, only the media
coverage allowed on the news, and they rejoice. In their lives, in their
countries, under their tyrant forms of government, the only time such protests
are seen is when a government is about to be toppled. They see this as a sign
they are winning the war, even though they've lost every battle.
So some other people decided to go to Crawford, Texas, for another reason. To
show support for the Commander in Chief, and for the troops following his
orders. To show true support for the troops, not just pay lip service to it, and
claim such love and devotion. To show that the support was for them, AND for the
mission they have undertaken. To show we are behind them in what they are trying
to accomplish.
My mission is to report on that day, to provide a little bit of insight into
what is going on, and why, and how it is affecting our troops. I've got a few
pictures to show, and a few things to say, and I hope you'll at least like the
pictures, lol.