“The Reason I Protect Freedom is the Same Reason I Support MRFF: Choice”

I am an American soldier, I am an Infantryman, and I am combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. I am a Christian, I am Jew, I am an open minded free thinker. I came to MRFF for help in the fall of 2006 while attending the US Air Force Academy. If those close to me, friends, fellow soldiers, family, knew how much I support MRFF’s mission, they’d want to know why. For those who will open their mind, here is the reason.

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of the first firefight I ever experienced in Afghanistan. I hardly remember much from it. I was just sitting there listening to my IPOD when everything around me just burst into explosions and sporadic pops of incoming and outgoing fire. I remember the feeling of RPGs detonating against the Hesco barriers; their shriek and thud as the concussion rippled through my guts as I death-gripped the trigger of my M4 and fired on the silhouettes 50 meters away. Go figure this would just be one of a handful of experiences that pierced the boredom of that year.

Next month will mark the one year anniversary of the night I lost my first buddy over there. He was killed by an IED during a patrol at night. I’ll never forget the experience, how it felt, the anger, the pain. It’s difficult to recall the event because the emotions run deep. But one thing I remember clear as day, is asking “why?” “For what?” “For freedom?” What the hell is freedom? What’s this intangible object that defines a civilized and free society we call America? It’s in the Soldiers creed “I am guardian of freedom and the American way of life” and the Infantryman’s creed, “By my steadfast courage I have won over 200 years of freedom.” By the time my boots touched American soil again I realized what it is. It’s unbelievably simple, it’s no wonder people over-think it like a teenager burning through an SAT test. Freedom is CHOICE; The ability to choose. Choose what? Your job? Your education? Your political representatives? Who or what you base your morals on? Take your pick; this is America! The choice is yours!

In Afghanistan, there was only Islam. Disregard freedom of speech and any open-minded thought and discussion. Even more than the Afghans, I resented what I witnessed the Christian faith become. They both had become almost mirror images of each other, both boasting the same threats “CONVERT OR BURN IN HELL!” “MY GOD IS SUPREME! ONE NATION UNDER (INSERT DEITY HERE)! NOW BELIEVE OR ANSWER TO SATAN!” Both concepts disgusted me; to the core. Where was the individual’s choice in the matter? I saw this disturbing trend building from as far back as my brief stint at the US Air Force Academy. Some E-6 telling me I can’t go to Passover because my request never got approval from the group commander, but I could still attend the Campus Crusade for Christ Dinner on Friday night!

I took an oath to defend this country. To defend the ideals of freedom, of a human’s God-given right to choose. Mikey, his father, his children, whom all have served this free nation, took the same oath. Regardless, we find ourselves to this day, being bullied by others to believe something we disagree with. Being told that we are evil, that we are wrong, that we are shameful, that violence will be taken against us for our beliefs, regardless of our oath, our uniform, our service. Because we don’t believe the same thing they do.

I remember election week was hell for us. Between the “end of Ramadan” suicide attacks, and the anti-government violence against voting centers, our entire area of operations had turned into a powder keg dangling over a lit match. Anyone ever heard of Murphey’s Law? Pastor Terry Jones of Dove Outreach center was Murphey’s latest manifestation. Mr. “Burn a Koran Day”. Picture about 1200 pissed of Afghans storming across an ANP checkpoint like ants on their way to a picnic. Surrounding our outpost chucking rocks and burning tires while chanting “Death to American!” and “Allahu Akbar!” I remember seeing children picking up rocks as I asked myself repeatedly, “Christ, what If I have to shoot a kid?” “Who’s this asshole and does he realize what kind of effect this is having or does he just not give a rat’s ass?!” MRFFs response was uncanny, purely brilliant. If Pastor Terry was going to burn a bunch of Korans, Mikey would just have to purchase a replacement for each one. The burning never took place. I suppose Pastor Terry got the point, that or he just finally figured out how to pull his head out of his ass.

People like him exist. In the civilian world, in the military world, in the free world. They want us to believe what they believe and they will use whatever tools they have at their disposal to make us believe. In effect, they will try to take away our ability to choose. They will go as far as to twist the words of our founding fathers to declare America a “Christian Nation”, just like Iran declared themselves an “Islamic Republic” and Mullah Mohammed Omar declared Afghanistan an “Islamic Emerite”. Instead of diversity they will encourage idealistic uniformity. And in the end, we will resemble the very thing our forefathers despised most; Tyranny. Canadian Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker once said “Freedom is the right to be wrong; not the right to do wrong.” If you want to tell me I’m wrong for practicing Christianity and Judaism because I grew up with two separate faiths in my household, that’s fine. So help my God if you try to stop me.

I miss my buddy. Not a day goes by I don’t wake up from a nightmare asking God why the hell am I still alive while better men than me are dead. So as long as I am alive and kicking, I will follow my oath. I will defend freedom; I will defend the Americans right to choice. I will defend the protesters right to burn the flag, the Muslims right to practice Islam, the Jews right to eat matza and celebrate Passover, the Christians right to say “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”, Pastor Terry’s right to be an inconsiderate ass, and the Evangelicals right to spread the word of Jesus Christ. As long as I am alive, I will defend every American against those that wish to force their beliefs on others, and take away their right to choice, because in my eyes, anyone who thinks they can pull that off, is no better than the people I killed over there.

This is my reason. This is why, for five years, I have stuck by Mikey and MRFF. Because when all else fails, chain of command, Equal Opportunity, Inspector General, JAGs,; where else can the true defenders of freedom turn to safeguard the very same rights they swore an oath to protect? This is my advocate, this is who will go to bat for me in places I cannot. “I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.” And MRFF will do the same for me to protect my right to choose a faith.

(U.S. Army Combat Soldier’s name and rank withheld)
xxTroop
xxxx Cavalry
Task Force xxxxxx
xxxxxth Infantry Brigade Combat Team (XXXXXXXX)