U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Heather L. Smith, now serving with the 332nd Expeditionary Communications Squadron at Balad Air Base in Iraq, recently sent a letter of "encouragement" to her mother Belinda back home in Lancaster, Pa.
Hi Mom,
I have a little time this morning, so I just wanted to give you some words of insight and encouragement:
First off, we view the attacks here as piddling efforts by a cowardly enemy. They aren't accurate, they aren't very efficient, and we know that they are just attempting to scare us, or wear down our morale, or make us think that we cannot fully accomplish our mission. But they could not be more wrong. We work even harder because of their efforts. Whether or not we all agree with the reasons for being here, we all perform above and beyond the call of duty.
Second, fear is not really an option. It's like lightning...can't predict, can't control, so there's no point in worrying. My first week here, I spent a good chunk of time being scared. But, I realized that letting the enemy into my mind, letting them control my fear, means that they accomplished their mission. I'm not going to let them take away my resolve.
Yes, we are all troubled when we hear of the losses. We all feel it, we all mourn and feel a little guilty when we are glad that it was not one of our own. It is sobering and sad. But, I have yet to meet anyone here who refuses to put their life on the line. The level of optimism and strength here is amazing.
Finally, it turns out that you can get used to almost anything, with enough exposure and support from your fellow troops. When you moved to Oklahoma, you were probably a little freaked out for the first tornado, or two...but, the more you experience it, the more you understand that preparation and awareness is the best defense. I wear my gear when they direct me to do so. We follow procedures to keep us safe and vigilant. Most importantly, we work hard to help those planes take off with their cargo, be it supplies or personnel or bombs or the wounded.
We say, everyday...don't let the bastards get you down...and live by this rule.
The folks back home should do the same. The moment you give over control to these insurgents, the moment you let them make you weep for our safety, you let them win. The goal of insurgents is quite simple: fear, fear, and fear. They are not strategic, they are not fighting for great causes of freedom or the release of oppression. They are cowards themselves. Do not let them make Americans cowards.
I love you. Stay strong, and give my love to all the families who have to do the same.
Love you lots, miss you.
Heather
Matt's Chat
She's right when she says, "The moment you give over control to these insurgents, the moment you let them make you weep for our safety, you let them win." This is what terrorists try to do. They want us to live in fear, shaking like a hamster all the time. Take Heather's advice, don't let the bastards win.
Mark's Remarks
The Left would call this woman a babykiller, a murderer, and dupe...I call her a heroine, who inspires with her words and with her deeds and thoughts. She is right on. We cannot give over control to those animals. Her words should wake people up to the lies of deception and politicization being perpetrated by the Left in their mad self centered machinations on power. They have given up the care of our soldiers to providing aid and comfort to the enemy, and for what? For political power. Stand with people like Heather and her fellow soldiers. Realize we have to win this, we have to finish the mission. We are doing the right thing, and we must stay the course. To do less does exactly what Heather says we should not do, let the animals win.
John Kerry Delenda Est!
