Capt. Kyle VanDeGiesen, 29, a North Attleboro native, a husband and a father, was one of 14 Americans killed in two crashes involving three choppers in Afghanistan yesterday - the deadliest day for Americans there in four years.

“He fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a Marine helicopter pilot, protecting his family and serving his country,” VanDeGiesen’s family said in a statement.

I would be lying if I said that I do not feel anger seeping through my sadness at reading about this fine young Marine and the others who were killed in the past day or two.  I do not mean to make this intended tribute to our troops, a political piece. But, I will say this to the ditherers in DC: "Get up off the nether regions of your torso and make a damn decision! You dither, they die!"

OK, after that very brief interlude to speak about inaction, it is my pleasure to speak about men and women of action! I entreat all of those who read this short tribute, to please contribute to the Marines' Team of this project, Project Valour-IT. I choose to support the Marines' team because whenever I write an article that is "anti-establishment politician," which is frequent enough, I always joke that if I suddenly go on "vacation" and no one hears anything from me for about a week, to send in the Marines!

That is my roundabout way of paying a compliment to one branch of the finest Military in the world. That is not to say that the other branches of the service are slouches. On the contrary, I would place my life in the hands of any member of any branch of the US Military. As a matter of fact, all of our lives are in their capable hands. They sacrifice lives and limbs and we reap the benefits of freedom.
It is a very unequal exchange. We are not worthy.

I was reminded of the legacy of our modern day Military, by a letter received from Mount Vernon, sent to Pamela Cunningham Society members, of which I am a proud member, of the early beginnings of that Military.  The quotation below was cited in the letter. It is from "Virginia's History," which was a fourth grade history book used by Virginia public schools in the 1950s and 1960s.

"There were times when some people thought that the United States' war for freedom would be lost. But George Washington never gave up. Men trusted him because he was always brave, and honest and fair. One cold winter day, his soldiers were in rags. They were barefooted and hungry, but they did not blame General Washington. Even when they ere cold and homesick, the men stood by him. They believed that George Washington would do what he set out to do. They believed he would win freedom for their country."

The men who fought in the Revolutionary Wars, were bedraggled at that point in time, but exhibited loyalty and bravery that endures today, a shared heritage with today's fine representatives of our Military. And let us not forget the role of our first Commander-in-Chief, President George Washington! How did this country get so lucky, or more accurately, so blessed?

Contributing a few dollars for this worthy cause, is a drop in the bucket for repaying the debt that we owe our protectors, but our acts of kindness will make a measurable difference in the lives of many disabled troops. Please give what you can. Thank you.

May God bless America and our troops!

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