I subscribe to our weekly paper. I never expect to find much controversial news inside its pages. I mostly read it to get a kick out of the irrelevant letters to the editor and to see my children's names when they do something noteworthy.
My sleepy community has lost two of its sons in Iraq--both Marines who were members of the Glenbrook South High School Class of 1995. Chris Zimney and Brian Kennedy are remembered by the Titans who came after them by a display case in the high school that contains their posthumously awarded purple hearts. My son played the National Anthem at both purple heart ceremonies. Recently another Glenview son came home from Iraq. This one is very much alive and he has something to say.
This week's
Glenview Announcements had an article that took up most of a page. The headline, Marine, back from Iraq, says it's time military left. The 20 year old young man, US Marine Cpl. Brent Goldstone just returned from his second tour of duty in Iraq. He also received the Purple Heart, for combat wounds.
Here's some of what the article had to say:
Goldstone, who served in Fallujah and Ramadi, painted a bleak portrait of the situation in Iraq, saying he quickly learned the Iraqis he believed would welcome Americans really wanted them to leave.
In Ramadi, where Goldstone served for the seven months prior to Oct. 1, he routinely saw spray-painted messages in English proclaiming "Americans are Pigs" and "Go to Hell, Bush," he said.
The Marines found few friends in the local population, added Goldstone, who went on more than 150 patrols while serving in Ramadi.
The same people who gathered during the day when Goldstone and his comrades were handing out food and toys returned at night to shoot at them, he said.
"I thought they'd be a little bit more appreciative, but they're not," said Goldstone. "They're a friend when you're giving things out, but for the most part, they don't want you there ... You kill one insurgent, and 10 more will appear in their place."
Glenview is a community that really values it's kids. The local high school spends nearly $16,000 a year to educate each student. Few taxpayers complain. I think it's telling that the local press is giving voice to a young person coming home from Iraq. Maybe Cindy Sheehan gave them courage.
I'm proud of Cpl. Goldstone. I hope we listen to him.