The fierce battle at Combat Outpost (COP) Keating in Afghanistan hasn’t gotten the attention it deserved in the main stream media. If Bush were still President, it would have been used as propaganda to give evidence of how American men were dying because of the Global War on Terrorism. As it is, it’s just overlooked and under reported. If it’s reported at all.
Fortunately, the internet provides a mechanism to get news out about events that the main stream media chooses to ignore. In one such effort is this effort to help the survivors of the Afghanistan battle at Combat Outpost Keating.
American Soldiers fought a ferocious battle at COP Keating. Their base was breached and they lost eight men during the battle. Soldiers were donating blood to try to save their brothers in arms while the battle raged around them. Their post was burned down and they lost all of their belongings.
There is growing concern among those of us who have loved ones in the Global War on Terrorism and those who are fighting it that the people at home have forgotten about them or just don’t care anymore. Of course, that’s not true. Politics aside, we love our Soldiers!
Blogger Tanker Babe started an effort to help the survivors of that battle with more than just words and platitudes. Bloggers from all corners of the blogoshpere have and are rallying to the call to help the 56 surviving Soldiers. She has and extensive list of things they need and is keeping the file updated as she becomes aware of more items needed. Soldier’s Angels and the American Legion have stepped up to the plate and sent needed items, cards and letters to the Soldiers.
In the battle for Combat Outpost Keating, the men of Bravo Troop 361 Cavalry lost every possession they had, save for the clothes on their backs. These men have lost friends, their outpost, and all their belongings. One soldier who made it out wrote that “most people back home dont even know, no one gives a s***.” Well, many of us do. And you can prove it by giving whatever you can. These guys need things like running shoes, and other essentials, as well as some comfort items like iPods and DVD players. The American Legion has kicked in $1000 to start the fund, and your humble blogger will be the first to donate $100. I intend to get these items out by the end of next week. ANY amount you can give, no matter how small will help us prove that we care.
I know that when my son was in the difficult fighting in Iraq, there were times of great discouragement. With the political atmosphere as it is in the United States right now, it’s difficult for these young men and women to know that the sacrifices they are making mean anything to anyone back home. In fact, the ‘anti-war’ groups seem to have forgotten about them altogether even as the war is escalating to heights we’ve not seen before during the GWOT.
Show the men you care. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Show them. Respect them. If nothing else, send them a note, a card. Do something. They need to know we haven’t forgotten them.
Congratulations to all involved in this great effort, a wonderful example of the amazing things Americans can do when we all pull together!