Every day we are bombarded with news from every part of the world, unrest in the Middle East, Europe in a greater financial crisis than our own, Asian countries surviving under heavy social dictatorships and Africa on the verge of death due to hunger. In the United States of America we are free to listen, make our own determination of what is news and what is “B.S.” Much of the talk radio out there would have you believe that this country is under siege from a foreign force and that your freedom has been stripped away. Those candidates running for the office of president would also have you believe this is happening right here in our own county. I have not seen the National Guard’s presence in this county since the early part of the 2000s. Granted, this country is not perfect but it is the greatest nation on God’s earth. I traveled to Farmington the other day and did not notice one highway checkpoint going or coming. I was able to stop and get fuel, buy myself a meal, do my business and return home without one incident except maybe traffic.

As this country is under siege by who knows who (my political opinion is mine and not meant for this column) the media managed to hit the airwaves on February 12 that Whitney Houston had passed away on the eve of the Grammys. Shaded in speculation of her death, she was honored by many as a great artist and hero. The same can be said when Michael Jackson passed away on June 25, 2009 and was honored as a national hero — the King of Pop was dead. I, for one, grew up listening to their music and enjoyed their efforts but — heroes? I think not. On June 25, 2009, the same day Michael Jackson died of his own hand, Lieutenant Brian N. Bradshaw, age 24, died from an IED while on patrol in Afghanistan. On the day that Whitney Houston was buried, Captain Ryan P. Hall, age 30, was killed in an Air Force mission plane crash. Rather brings to life who is really a hero and who is recognized.

Here are some statistics for you; these change on a day-to-day basis. As of this writing, 6,362 service members have died in southwest Asia, 4,478 in Iraq, 1,884 in Afghanistan; 6,219 have been male, 142 have been female. The Army has lost 4,001; Marines 1,332; Army National Guard 478; Navy 192; Air Force 134; Army Reserve 120; Marine Reserves 90. Age group 18-19 — 397 dead; age group 20-24 — 2,866 dead; age group 25-29 — 1,523 dead; age group 30-39 — 1,196 dead; age group 40-49 — 323 dead; age group 50-59 — 48 dead. Dead by hostile action — 2,447; IED — 2,414; non-combat — 656; helicopter accident — 386; vehicle accident — 357; airplane crash — 29; unknown — 69. Casualties by year: 2001 — 12; 2002 — 48; 2003 — 531; 2004 — 900; 2005 — 942; 2006 — 918; 2007 — 1,019; 2008 — 466; 2009 — 461; 2010 — 559; 2011 — 466; 2012 — 40 and counting. These statistics can be found at Washingtonpost.com/national/fallen and are updated weekly.

Count the heroes. I count 6,362 and counting. Some of these service members were a byline in the evening news such as “two soldiers were killed today in Iraq (Afghanistan)” and that would be it. Could it be that these service men and women no longer matter to the media or the masses? They only sacrificed their lives in service of their country — yeah, easy to forget. They may not have written a song, been in a movie, addicted to drugs or whatever it takes to be in the national media. Hell, Lindsey Lohan has had more press. It is only when these heroes come home to be buried with honor do we realize what we have lost. In January 2005, this community lost a hero in Specialist George Geer. His life was lost to a roadside bomb (IED) on the 17th while on patrol with his squad in Ramadi, Iraq. George was not a singer, except when he was listening to the stereo in his car, nor a movie star, except maybe in a home movie — and anything illicit? Not George. To those of us who knew George, he is a hero who believed in his family, hometown and his country. He is our hometown hero who was buried with honor by the Army and this community.

I am not alone when I say our American service men and women do not get the respect they deserve from the populace they protect. These men and women stand the wall and guard the waters every day to provide us the safety and security many take for granted. Benefits or an alternative lifestyle may have been reason enough for someone to join the service, maybe an opportunity to better one’s self, go to college after serving, raise a family, buy a home, but I am sure that being a hero by death was the furthest thing from their minds. We should be ashamed that we idolize people that have gained fame and fortune only to have it destroyed by their own hand.

In the Saturday edition of the Cortez Journal (February 25, 2012) Mr. Dave Bensmiller of Cortez had some words for me concerning February’s Veterans Forum column. First thing, I would like to say thank you for reading the column; your comments are appreciated. Secondly, I would like to apologize for the way you were treated by the VFW and American Legion. I can tell you that you are not the only one who has been treated this way and in some cases with much malice because of the color of their skin. It is also disheartening when you listen to veterans of the Korean or Vietnam era who were told they did not fight in a real war. To me and many other veterans I know, a bullet loaded or shot in anger is just as deadly. Because you served during the cold war era does not make your service any less and for that, thank you.

I know this may not be of much comfort to you now but there are many veterans that are pursuing the change of the bylaws of these organizations. Many of us that belong to these organizations today know that if the national organizations do not change their perspective, veterans organizations will be outdated. As for your Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, I think that was a grave mistake. Your recruiter is mostly responsible for this mistake. I have seen fraudulent enlistments because the recruiter did not disclose all information about your enlistment and/or benefits. Our congress and senate make and approve the laws that govern GI Bill benefits that the services must abide by; in many cases, they do a very poor job. I think if each member of congress would have spent some time protecting these United States they would have a better outlook on veteran’s benefits. Of course, there are many in congress that feel we get too much as it is.

Mr. Bensmiller, thank you for your commitment to the USO, Toys for Tots and the other organizations that you feel worthy of your support. That was what I was talking about — get committed, and stay committed, because your service to country is too valuable an asset to leave on a shelf. Do not forget to listen to the monthly radio program on the last Friday of every month at 8:30 a.m. on KSJD Radio 91.5 FM.



Robert Valencia is retired army veteran, Senior Vice Commander of Montezuma County VFW Post 5231, a member of the American Legion Ute Mountain Post 75 and DAV Chapter Dunger Smith 44. He can be contacted at 560-1891.