Yes, Michael Jackson did pass away a week ago,
>
> ...and so did:
>
> Army SSG Paul G Smith, 43, of East Peoria, IL
> Army SSG Joshua A Melton, 26, of Carlyle, IL
> Army SPC Chancellor A Keesling, 25, of
> Indianapolis, IN
> Navy MCPO Jeffrey J Garber, 43, of Hemingford, NE
> Army 1SG John D Blair, 38, of Calhoun, GA
> Army SGT Ricky D Jones, 26, of Plantersville, AK
> Army SGT Rodrigo A Munguia Rivas, 27, of
> Germantown, MD
> Army SPC Casey L Hills, 23, of Salem, IL
> Army 1LT Brian N Bradshaw, 24, of Steilacoom, WA
> Army SPC Joshua L Hazlewood, 22, of Manvel, TX
>
> ***********
>
>
> This is written by a young soldier serving his
> third tour of duty in Iraq. Thought you might find his take on the
> Michael Jackson news interesting.
>
> "Okay, I need to rant.
>
> I was just watching the news, and I caught part of
> a report on Michael Jackson. As we all know, Jackson died the other
> day. He was an entertainer who performed for decades. He made > millions,
> he spent millions, and he did a lot of things that make him a villian
> to many people. I understand that his death would affect a lot of
> people, and I respect those people who mourn his death, but that isn't
> the point of my rant.
>
> Why is it that when ONE man dies, the whole of
> America loses their minds with grief. When a man dies whose only
> contribution to the country was to ENTERTAIN people, the Amercian
> people find the need to flock to a memorial in Hollywood, and even
> Congress sees the need to hold a "moment of silence" for his passing?
>
> Am I missing something here? ONE man dies, and all
> of a sudden he's a freaking martyr because he entertained us for a few
> decades? What about all those SOLDIERS who have died to give us
> freedom? All those Soldiers who, knowing that they would be asked to
> fight in a war, still raised their hands and swore to defend the
> Constitution and the United States of America. Where is their moment > of
> silence? Where are the people flocking to their graves or memorials > and
> mourning over them because they made the ultimate sacrifice? Why is it
> when a Soldier dies, there are more people saying "good riddence," and
> "thank God for IEDs?" When did this country become so calloused to the
> sacrifice of GOOD MEN and WOMEN, that they can arbitrarily blow off
> their deaths, and instead, throw themselves into mourning for a "Pop
> Icon?"
>
> I think that if they are going to hold a moment of
> silence IN CONGRESS for Michael Jackson, they need to hold a moment of
> silence for every service member killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. They
> need to PUBLICLY recognize every life that has been lost so that the
> American people can live their callous little lives in the luxury and
> freedom that WE, those that are living and those that have gone on,
> have provided for them. But, wait, that would take too much time,
> because there have been so many willing to make that sacrifice. After
> all, we will never make millions of dollars. We will never star in
> movies, or write hit songs that the world will listen too. We only > shed
> our blood, sweat and tears so that people can enjoy what they have.
>
> Sorry if I have offended, but I needed to say it.
> Remember these five words the next time you think of someone who is
> serving in the military;
>
> "So that others may live..."
>
>
> -Isaac
> A US Soldier
I have been to many events and witnessed moments of silence held for the American Soldier. I don't think they are ever forgotten, and the moments of silence are held quite often.
