Do you believe all the attention that jailed celebrities are receiving? This is totally unbelievable media coverage attention that these young people are receiving when there are young American Service men and women just as young doing things that in my opinion deserve the media coverage more and would give the world a better idea of what our youth of today are really made of.
Celebrity jail time has been given a lot of press lately especially Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. Sure, it is nice to know that your celebrity status does not place you above the law but come on do they really deserve all the publicity they are receiving? Does the media really think that the average person really cares to know every little thing that is going on in the lives of celebrities who find themselves behind bars for acts they committed that were against the law? Would it not serve the public better if media paid more attention to the many service men and women whom give their all to protect others?
Here are just a few examples of men and women that in my opinion deserve more media coverage:
Justin Allen was 23 years old when he was killed serving his country in Afghanistan on Saturday, July 24, 2010. He was due to be discharged in October. His fiancé, Kim Schwartz was looking forward to starting a new life with him. A life that now was cut too short. He will be buried in Lawrence County, Ohio.
Staff Sergeant Brett Linley was 29 when he died a hero in Afghanistan. He also died on Saturday, July 24, 2010. He was a High-Threat IED Operator and is remembered well by his comrades, family and friends.
Staff Sergeant Matthew W. Weikert served in the Marines for 5 years before taking a year off as a civilian. He then re-enlisted in the Army in September, 2002. He has many Awards and Decorations including, the Combat Action Ribbon Navy/Marine, Presidential Unit Citation Navy/Marine, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, Marine Corp Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Navy Reserve Sea Service with 2 Stars, NATO Medal; Combat Infantry Badge, Combat Action Badge, and Weapons Qualification, and he was an M4 expert. This brave young man was only 29 when he died on July 17, 2010.
Army Specialist Chase Stanley was only 21 years old when he was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan. He died supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, giving his young life for a cause he believed in enough to die for others. He died on July 14th, 2010 along with four other soldiers at Zabul Province, Afghanistan. Chase was remembered for more than his bravery he was also remembered for his big beautiful smile, his good manners, and his ability to be a good friend.
These young brave service men are far more worthy in my opinion of receiving media coverage so that others can be inspired by their selfless acts and dedication towards the protection of freedom and for serving their country. The world will miss them. They should however always be remembered.
Also, worthy of being remembered are today’s women in the armed forces around the world including four women honored with receiving The Navy’s Sailor of the Year awards, Cassandra Foote age 27, Shalanda Brewer age 29, Samira McBride age 30, and Ingrid Cortez. All of the women were not only honored as being Sailors of the Year, but for their achievement of being made chief petty officer as well.
It would be honorable to remember these brave men and women by giving them the attention in the media that their acts deserve. What better way to inspire future generations of youth then to have them read in today’s newspapers and magazines about the youth of today and how they bravely serve in the name of freedom for all citizens of the world instead of glorifying celebrities who break the law.
Would you like to read and see more media coverage about those mentioned in this article and others serving in our armed services?
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Sources:
WCHS 8 Eyewitness Local News Family Remembers Life of Justin Allen http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/eyewitness/100719_2341.shtml
Mirror.co.uk NEWS Bomb disposal hero Brett Linley killed in Afghanistan after defusing 100 bombs in 5 months http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/07/20/bomb-disposal-hero-brett-linley-killed-in-afghanistan-after-defusing-100-bombs-in-5-months-115875-22425353/
Freedom Remembered Staff Sgt Matthew W. Weikert http://freedomremembered.com/index.php/sgt-matthew-w-weikert/
Los Angeles Times California’s War Dead Chase Stanley, 21 http://projects.latimes.com/wardead/name/chase-stanely/
Rein, L., The Post; Federal Eye – Navy women reach new heights http://voices.washingtonpost.com/federal-eye/2010/07/navy_women_reach_new_heights.html
