A Father speaks out.......
But, The Washington Post won't listen. This is an e-mail from Robert Stokely to the Post. It is reprinted here, with Mr. Stokely's permission. I am a soldier's father. I will stand shoulder to shoulder with Mr. Stokely, as he speaks for his son.
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The right of free speech is a two sided right – the right to speak and the right to ignore others who wish to exercise their right of free speech, including the likes of me. I acknowledge that the Washington Post has a right to print or not print what they wish under their media exercise of the right of free speech. The Washington Post, in totally ignoring my email letter, has effectively chosen to exercise the latter form of free speech.
Each such right of free speech is a right bought and paid for by those who are the most dedicated public servants this country has ever produced – our military service personnel, and a special price was paid for the Post’s right of free speech by those who shed their blood and gave their life to protect the freedoms and way of life our country.
Mike Stokely served to preserve the Post’s right and help the Iraqi people attain such a right, and he died doing so. While others debated, Mike Stokely served, and he did so without regret, without second thoughts, and would do it again, even if he knew the Washington Post would ignore his father’s recount of his son’s values and service.
Last, I leave this question – who among us wants Saddam released and returned to power that he enjoyed prior to the President, with Congressional Authority, sending troops to war? Please step forward and be counted, better yet, go to Lattitude 33 46’ 25” North, 82 51’ 11” West (across from Corinth Christian Church, 1635 Georgia Highway 81, Loganville Georgia 30052), and stand at the grave of my son, SGT Mike Stokely, and state “your life was wasted” and therein, you were wrong!
Thanks,
Robert Stokely
My heart is heavy, but proud of my son, SGT MICHAEL “MIKE” JAMES STOKELY, AGE 23
KILLED IN ACTION 15 MILES SOUTH / SOUTHWEST OF BAGHDAD LATTITUDE 33 04’ 44” NORTH, 44 13’ 04” EAST
2:20 A.M., 16 AUG 2005 IED
2ND PLATOON, 108TH CAVALRY, 48TH BRIGADE GEORGIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
US ARMY, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM
Each such right of free speech is a right bought and paid for by those who are the most dedicated public servants this country has ever produced – our military service personnel, and a special price was paid for the Post’s right of free speech by those who shed their blood and gave their life to protect the freedoms and way of life our country.
Mike Stokely served to preserve the Post’s right and help the Iraqi people attain such a right, and he died doing so. While others debated, Mike Stokely served, and he did so without regret, without second thoughts, and would do it again, even if he knew the Washington Post would ignore his father’s recount of his son’s values and service.
Last, I leave this question – who among us wants Saddam released and returned to power that he enjoyed prior to the President, with Congressional Authority, sending troops to war? Please step forward and be counted, better yet, go to Lattitude 33 46’ 25” North, 82 51’ 11” West (across from Corinth Christian Church, 1635 Georgia Highway 81, Loganville Georgia 30052), and stand at the grave of my son, SGT Mike Stokely, and state “your life was wasted” and therein, you were wrong!
Thanks,
Robert Stokely
My heart is heavy, but proud of my son, SGT MICHAEL “MIKE” JAMES STOKELY, AGE 23
KILLED IN ACTION 15 MILES SOUTH / SOUTHWEST OF BAGHDAD LATTITUDE 33 04’ 44” NORTH, 44 13’ 04” EAST
2:20 A.M., 16 AUG 2005 IED
2ND PLATOON, 108TH CAVALRY, 48TH BRIGADE GEORGIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
US ARMY, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM
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Please see the post below.
posted by Griz at 4:53 PM
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