At U.S soldier, Chad Vollmer's funeral, on Thursday, 4th January, the Army Chaplain said "There are two who have died for all of us today," said Major Timothy Mattison. "Jesus and the US soldier. Jesus died for the freedom of the soul; the US soldier died for the freedom of our land." (my emphasis)

Would somebody tell me how this poor soul died for the freedom of the U.S.? Surely he died because of a terrible decision to invade a sovereign country, Iraq, by his President, for nefarious reasons.

A typical miltary attempted justification of his Commander in Chief's foul-up.


My condolences to Chad's family and friends and to all those who have lost their love ones in Iraq.

Maybe the chaplain actually believes that the soldier died for the freedom of the US. It is also possible that he wanted to reinforce that belief on the family of the fallen soldier. Not believing that opens up a great many questions, none of which would be comforting to the family, nor would they be in line with official policy. As things are, more and more families are questioning why their loved one died. This, of course, makes them angry. Who wants to realize that their loved one's death was unnecessary? Our continued presence in a country in which we are not wanted* means more US deaths, means more of these incidents, and will lead to more angry families.

The fallen soldier died honorably doing his duty in the service of his country. The shame belongs to those who misused his service and sacrifice.

* I see that Fallujah has renamed its main thoroughfare. It is now the Street of the Martyr Saddam Hussein. That a city which was the target of a multi-million dollar PR blitz to get it to like the occupying forces does such a thing is surely indicative of a people that do not want us there.

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Not believing that opens up a great many questions, none of which would be comforting to the family, nor would they be in line with official policy.

Maybe he should have left that phrase out of his speech altogether, because according to Bush's hypothesis, the US soldier died for the freedom of the Iraqis'. The more freedom that the Iraqis get, the less freedom we get. We are getting closer and closer to an autocratic rule.

Regardless of Bush's bull, the fallen soldier died honorably, and my sympathy goes out to the family. Rest in Peace, Chad.