Saturday, January 10, 2004

"Stop and Awe"

Sometimes a new story comes out of the blue and interrupts the normal debate on the big issues of the day. For example, the War in Iraq. Day after day of opponents criticizing the strategies and policies. Day after day of defenders defending. Mostly the same arguments day after day.

And then this story about Chief Warrant Officer Aaron Weaver of the 82nd Airborne. A familiar story: a Black Hawk helicopter crashes in Iraq. Taken down by a missle. Unfortunately not unusual.

But the story of Aaron Weaver is. The story can be stated simply. CWO Weaver survived the Somalia firefight at Mogadishu, survived cancer, and without having to was deployed to Iraq where he died in this nondescript chopper crash.

Wow. This is the story of a quiet hero on a plane above most. He clearly risked more than his share as a citizen in the service of our country. In our service. And it cost him the ultimate sacrifice.

Whatever your politics on the war, you have to stop and be awed by the bravery and sacrifice of an American hero, Chief Warrant Officer Aaron Weaver. God rest his soul.

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