Quote:
Originally posted by The Larry Davis Experience
The actual number of people killed in the WTC are miniscule compared to the pop of New York, yet I don't see anyone using the term "miniscule" with that tragedy. 850 people who swore to defend our country have been killed.
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Well, this may set you off, too.
I don't think it is an apt comparison to compare a terrorist attack on civilians to a military action. There is a difference between civilians sitting in their offices at work, and a military death during war. People in the military, like police officers and fire-fighters, know that they are doing a dangerous job. And IMHO, not getting paid enough for it. This is why they are honored in such heartfelt ways when they die while performing their duties - they are heros.
Unless they were a firefighter/police officer or an ordinary person who lost their lives trying to save another, those who died in the WTC weren't heros. They were victims. You may mourn the death of a victim or honor them for the things they did during their lives, but they aren't heros. Heros are those who act heroicly.
We have an all volunteer military and I respect and grieve for those people who die while so honorably serving their country. But the reason I feel such respect for them is precisely because they chose this service knowing full well what the risks were. They knew war was a possibility and knew that they might die. The fact that only 850 people have died in the invasion and subsequent attempt to stabilize Iraq is a testament to the skill of those in the military. I would say that number is unexpectedly low given the magnitude of the job they were asked to do.
