Capt. Chad Fleming's Experiences

Today I had the privilege of meeting Chad Fleming, a true hero! (The following sites don't document his experiences adequately.  See www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/freedom/gear-packs;   www.lonesurvivorfoundation.org/joe_nichols_video.html; www.army.mil/article/30410/Rangers_race_in_New_York_City_marathon/).  I'm not going to detail his ordeal and the example he sets of maintaining meaningful goals despite huge barriers and never giving up.  Instead, I'll relate one of his experiences that explains why it is important to protect our country and another that demonstrates our risk of losing what we have.

Life in Iraq: Capt. Fleming was involved in a shoot-out that resulted in the deaths of two of Saddam Hussein's sons.  He and some of this comrades later drove around town in a car that had belonged to the sons.  Capt. Fleming observed that the townspeople on the street all scurried inside buildings when the car came into view.  It reminded him of western movies in which people cleared the streets when known gun-slingers came into town.  So he stopped his car and questioned an Iraqi, who explained that people were hiding because they feared that the brothers were still alive.  They did not trust reports of the sons' deaths. 

Why were they scared?  Because the brothers would come into town and if they saw an attractive lady, they would take her away.  If a male in her company objected, they'd take that male also.

They took the ladies back to their palace and when they, after extracting their desired favors, were done with the ladies, they put them in two cages on either side of the swimming pool and watched as tigers mauled the ladies to death.  If the males objected, they were then put in the cages with the tigers.  Capt. Fleming said our troops found skeletons under the cages.   This experience lives with him and inspires his efforts to defend our country and way of life.

We need to improve: I mentioned to Capt. Fleming that it is very upsetting to me that our government, starting with Viet Nam, wants our citizens to live their daily lives oblivious to our wars.  I think we should be keenly aware of the war effort, supporting our soldiers and mourning, on a daily basis, the loss of their lives as well as innocent bystanders who are called "collateral damage" by our government.  We have a right to oppose war, but those who support the war should contribute money and time and should sacrifice in order to support the war effort in whatever way we can.  Trying to hide the war is morally repugnant and I am embarrassed and upset with myself because I spend many days without thinking of the war.  (Note: I did not have the presence of mind to include the wording about our "right to oppose war" while speaking with Capt. Fleming, but I think it is important to acknowledge that right here.)  My comment stimulated Capt. Fleming to describe the following experience.

He and 3 other veteran amputees were invited to participate in the coin toss before one of the Baltimore Ravens' playoff games (in early 2011, I believe).  They were coached about where to stand and what to do.  Just before they were about to go out on the field, an official of the Ravens told them they could just relax and enjoy the game because they did not need to go out on the field.

Capt. Fleming asked why the plans had been changed.  He was told that the administration had called.  President Obama would be speaking to the USA people on TV the next night and the administration did not want so many of our citizens to see these amputees on the play-off telecast.  It was hard for me to hold back my tears when Capt. Fleming told me this story.  And I did cry when I related this story twice today.  We should not put up with such behavior by our politicians.  I also think that we should criticize the Baltimore Ravens for acceding to this request by the administration.