So Important..I forgot your name!

[Vladd44]

The Army issued a formal apology to the families of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan after it sent them letters with the salutation "Dear John Doe."

In December, the Army sent out 7,000 letters to the families of most of the 3,544 soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001 containing information about services or gifts for which they might be eligible.

WTF.

Nothing breeds competence like ...ah nm.

[צ×(¯°¤§h¥Kïtt¥¤°¯)צ×]

Wow that is really sad

I would be upset had I been a family member receiving something so generic claiming it is some sort of apology for the loss of a loved one. Those men and women paid the ultimate price for our Freedom, freedom some of us sadly take for granted. My heart goes out to those family members.

I served my country proudly in the ARMY and know it was a sacrifice for my family to worry for me while I was away for long periods of time, but to think they might have received a random letter (had I been killed on duty) saying "sorry for your loss of so and so" and not even my name angers me. I hope this will be the last time something like this happens. This instantly made me think of the many soldiers who still remain unaccounted for or even forgotten. In Arlington National Cemetery at The Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier). The inscription there reads:

"HERE RESTS IN
HONORED GLORY
AN AMERICAN
SOLDIER
KNOWN BUT TO GOD"

Though this monument is primarily dedicated to American servicemen (and women) whose remains are unidentified, I couldn't help but be reminded how easy it is for most of us to forget the huge sacrifices made by those who have served and are still serving in the Armed Forces. What a slap in the face to those family members receiving those letters, I hope more is done to honor their deceased loved ones!


I found these quotes and thought they were worth mentioning:

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. - George Orwell

Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don't have that problem. - Ronald Reagan

From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots. -
Thomas Jefferson

[Mando]

Yes, very sad to see that type of response…I can’t imagine the grief of the families.

I have the utmost of pride and respect for those country men and women who have fought to defend our rights and protect us. I come from a long line of military folk who served our country, and actually lost my uncle in WWII secondary to a sniper.

To me, it speaks all the more for the fallibility of man, the waning sensitivity of the heart, the impersonal nature of many of our interactions, and the general lack of care that often marks us as people.

May we continue to live with the solace that there is a God who provides us with a future void of such issues…may we live each day for those things eternal and recognize, in our disparaging world, how much we need a Savior.

[DragonRider]

Disgraceful...the goverment could have at least sent out form letters that began "Dear parents of RA350986146...we are returning your son/daughter/child of questionable gender (please choose only one) to you in a damage proof shipping crate accompanied by a certificate suitable for framing and some bits of metal attached to ribbons for your viewing pleasure and an authentic US flag (made in Japan)...please note that all metals and ribbons are now made in China due to the high cost of union labor in the US and/or outsourcing due to American aid to favored foreign countries under the Free Trade Agreement, but for an additional $49.95 you can purchase the Delux Simulated Walnut finished display case...Congradulations, you are the first parents on your block to have your son/daughter/child of questionable gender (please choose only one) come home in a box (which entitles you to absolutely nothing except bragging rights)...Have a nice day

PS...please remember there will be a tax increase in January to cover the cost of these form letters, medals, certificates, and shipping and handling of your loved one...do your part as a proud American and pay your taxes using either Visa, MasterCard, or American Express (PayPal not accepted)...

That was the way they did it back in my day...

[Vladd44]

Paypal has been around a lot longer than I thought.