Proud to Be An American

The blog-o-sphere and the entire world is on fire with the news about Osama bin Laden's capture and death. It's one of those moments you'll always remember where you were and what you were doing. For me, I was sailing the open seas on my way back from a terrific day in Cozumel, Mexico aboard the Carnival Inspiration. What an awesome place to hear of the news. I walked out of the Mat Kearney concert and saw everyone gathering around a television showing CNN. Cheers started, drinks were lifted, and everyone was ecstatic. Once a drunkard started getting political, I decided to move over to the bar where Matt Wertz was playing "Everything's Right." It was an amazing moment.


My first thoughts were with our troops and their families. I beamed with pride knowing some of our finest in uniform had finally ended this disgusting murderer's life. I was relieved to hear none of our own were injured or killed. Then my thought's went to how this would impact us in the future. 


I stayed up for hours that night watching the news coverage. I was appalled at newscasters on CNN stating it was the end of "The War on Terror." Just because we take out the leader of a terrorist organization, does not mean terror instantly goes away. I firmly believe it was necessary to remove this dirt bag from society, but one must realize that though he is gone, there will be someone else to step up and take his place. It is really unfortunate that this is our new way of life. America will never be the same again. Terrorism is a part of our fabric, be it a small, dirty, disheveled, hidden piece. I would love to go back in time, 10 years ago, when life seemed so much simpler. We can't.


I'm thankful for our intelligence community, our military leaders, and our Navy SEALS and other joint forces who collaborated on this mission. We are all severely indebted to them for life. Did Osama get what he deserved? No. His evil thoughts caused the untimely and unjust deaths of tens of thousands. Not only did he have a hand in the deaths of 2,977 people killed in the WTC's, the Pentagon, and the PA field, in my opinion, he also killed all of the first responders who have now died from illnesses related to the collapse, and to those who have taken their lives due to all of the emotional trauma. He had the blood of many thousands on his hands. Shooting him and dumping his body out to sea is in no way a just punishment for all he has done to so many. I don't think there could possibly be any just punishment. There would never be one painful enough.


I hear a lot of people upset about his receiving a proper Muslim burial. Hey, if it were up to me I would have beat the crap out of his corpse with a meat tenderizer, a baseball bat, kicked him around, and lit him on fire. But, we as a country are under constant scrutiny for what other nations deem a hatred and intolerance for the Muslim religion. If we had done what everyone aboard that vessel really, truly wanted to do and it went public...we'd be in a much worse situation. So, while I don't think he deserved it, if they did truly bury him that way then it was probably in the best interest of this country.


Now, as a former MilSpouse, I've seen lots of other MilSpouses express concern over what this really means. I agree. It can only mean the potential for additional bloodshed and loss of life for our men and women in uniform. I pray with every ounce of my being for a miracle, but these evil people love to retaliate. Please keep our military men and women and their families in your prayers ALWAYS. Be thankful for their sacrifices.