Remembering an Amazing Marine, Candidate, and Man

Sgt. Bill Cahir served this one nation the way they all do. They do not serve Republicans only nor do they lay down their lives just for Democrats. They do not turn their backs on Independents nor ignore non-voters. They serve the Commander-in-Chief no matter what party he represents. When Bush was no longer president, they didn't suddenly surrender their arms as he packed up his personal property from the White House. The nation was still the same nation they wanted to serve. They follow orders from commanders when they are Republicans just as they do when they are Democrats. It is one nation to them. The same nation they love so much they are willing to lay down their lives for. Yet since politics have taken control over every aspect of the lives of some of their own countrymen, some have been told they are the scum of the earth when the rabid right attack just as when the rabid left did in a time long ago.

Yesterday I did a post on my other blog because it didn't really fit in with the intent of this blog.
Floridas problem is not just the economy
It's about how the population of Florida has gone down, pointing to the economy, but I feel that it is a much deeper problem than that. I'm heartbroken here and most of it comes from politics taking over every aspect of life here. Even among friends, I feel as if I just don't belong with groups of them from both political sides. I won't bore you with the details of this post. You can read it for yourself.

The main point is that even though I take care of all veterans, no matter how they voted, take care of their families and the rest of the people we depend on everyday, I feel like an outcast, un-welcomed when people start to talk as if there is pure hatred for others in this country. While their conversations and emails may not be directed at me personally, the fact remains that I hear the words and read what they have to say when emails come or editorials are written in local papers. All of this leaves me wondering if I would have to interviewed as to what my political views are before I am allowed to help heal their souls.

It is the same in the military. They hear what we say when they are risking their lives for this one nation and hear what they believe being attacked from people on talk radio and cable TV. Ever wonder what that does to them inside? It has gotten that out of control.

For my friends on the Republican side, please read about this man and how much he loved this country. We was not a Republican. He was a Democrat but loved this nation more than most of the people letting political views take over everything. Mutual respect in this nation has been assaulted more than ever and it reaches too many that should never, ever be made to feel this uncomfortable when they are serving the nation as a whole.

Posted: August 18, 2009
Remembering an Amazing Marine, Candidate, and Man


Jon Soltz

Co-Founder of VoteVets.org, served as a Captain in Operation Iraqi Freedom

This week brought tragic news that particularly hit hard for the VoteVets.org family. Among the painful and heartbreaking losses of those Killed in Action was Bill Cahir, a Marine Sergeant, killed in Afghanistan.

Bill epitomized what is so great about so many who serve our nation in uniform. At the age of 34, he enlisted, motivated by the September 11th attacks. But, his first action wasn't taking on al Qaeda in Afghanistan. He was deployed twice to Iraq, from 2004-2005, and again from 2007-2008. If Bill, a political progressive, thought Iraq wasn't the war we should be in at the time, his willingness and readiness to go and stand by his men sure took precedence over his personal feelings. Then, this May, he was sent to Afghanistan, serving in the Helmand Province, which is one of the most violent areas in the region that very few Americans know about.

Between his time in Iraq and his service in Afghanistan, Bill ran for Congress. It would have been incredibly easy -- and everyone would have said advisable -- to come back and rest after two tours in Iraq. But Bill, whose line of work was journalism, saw that Capitol Hill needed more leadership. His own comfort took a backseat to his sense of responsibility.
read more here
Remembering an Amazing Marine, Candidate, and Man