From this mornings Chicago Tribune (abridged)
Kathleen Parker, Tribune Media Services
Published May 5, 2004
Meet Sgt. 1st Class Charles M. Grist, an Orlando native and member of the Altamonte Springs Police Department, who is the NCOIC (non-commissioned officer-in-charge) of the Protective Service Detail for Gen. Charles Davidson of the 350th Civil Affairs Command in Baghdad. Translated, he's the military equivalent of the Secret Service whose job is to protect the general.
No kid at 55, Grist also is an Army Ranger who served in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division as a rifle platoon leader (1970-71). He is both outraged by the images that left most Americans cringing, and he is worried. Mostly, he's worried that the behavior of a few will taint America's image and that some, even back home, will "My Lai" the incident into a larger blamefest.
"It reminds me of my service in Vietnam," writes Grist. "After the My Lai massacre, the peace activists and others began referring to all veterans of that war as `murderers' and `baby killers.' At first, it caused fistfights; later we just shook our heads at the stupidity of the people insulting us. Another such transfer of blame cannot happen to this generation of warriors."
And such, Grist hopes, will be the message telegraphed to the world. In the meantime, he remembers the lessons of Vietnam, a war lost politically rather than militarily.
"From my service in Vietnam as a young lieutenant to my experience in Iraq as a somewhat crusty old sergeant, I must ask one thing of our civilian leaders: If you are not going to win, do not send us to war. If you do send us to war, then give us everything we need, not only to win, but to finish the job."
Grist is equally passionate about U.S. commitment to the Iraqi people. "I know many who risk death every day just by working for the Coalition, but who, like the brave patriots of another nation long ago, put their lives on the line for their country. We cannot betray or abandon these brave people."
And finally, Grist breaks our hearts with this: "Either way, I can promise America your sons and daughters, your brothers and sisters, your husbands and wives, your fathers and mothers and, yes, even those of us who are grandparents, will endeavor to serve America with professionalism and honor."
Published May 5, 2004
Meet Sgt. 1st Class Charles M. Grist, an Orlando native and member of the Altamonte Springs Police Department, who is the NCOIC (non-commissioned officer-in-charge) of the Protective Service Detail for Gen. Charles Davidson of the 350th Civil Affairs Command in Baghdad. Translated, he's the military equivalent of the Secret Service whose job is to protect the general.
No kid at 55, Grist also is an Army Ranger who served in Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division as a rifle platoon leader (1970-71). He is both outraged by the images that left most Americans cringing, and he is worried. Mostly, he's worried that the behavior of a few will taint America's image and that some, even back home, will "My Lai" the incident into a larger blamefest.
"It reminds me of my service in Vietnam," writes Grist. "After the My Lai massacre, the peace activists and others began referring to all veterans of that war as `murderers' and `baby killers.' At first, it caused fistfights; later we just shook our heads at the stupidity of the people insulting us. Another such transfer of blame cannot happen to this generation of warriors."
And such, Grist hopes, will be the message telegraphed to the world. In the meantime, he remembers the lessons of Vietnam, a war lost politically rather than militarily.
"From my service in Vietnam as a young lieutenant to my experience in Iraq as a somewhat crusty old sergeant, I must ask one thing of our civilian leaders: If you are not going to win, do not send us to war. If you do send us to war, then give us everything we need, not only to win, but to finish the job."
Grist is equally passionate about U.S. commitment to the Iraqi people. "I know many who risk death every day just by working for the Coalition, but who, like the brave patriots of another nation long ago, put their lives on the line for their country. We cannot betray or abandon these brave people."
And finally, Grist breaks our hearts with this: "Either way, I can promise America your sons and daughters, your brothers and sisters, your husbands and wives, your fathers and mothers and, yes, even those of us who are grandparents, will endeavor to serve America with professionalism and honor."