April 29, 2004

A Theresa To Admire

Never forget, contrary to the picture painted by the media of an inept or thuggish US military and lapped up by the self-loathing Left; Army Spec. Theresa Lynn Flannery is not the exception, but the rule and be damned thankful.

Valor under fire

Spec Flannery
Maybe she asked herself, "What in the world is a girl from Madison County doing in a spot like this?"

Certainly, it would have been understandable if Army Spec. Theresa Lynn Flannery had wondered that, what with Iraqi sniper bullets buzzing over her head like angry bees and three of her fellow soldiers lying seriously wounded.

But if the question did cross her mind, it never caused her to hesitate.

The 26-year-old Flannery -- a former Miss Teen Madison County and "a 5-foot-3 fireball," according to her mother -- threw herself into the battle at Najaf, Iraq, earlier this month. She shot back at the enemy, then used her combat lifesaving training to treat her wounded buddies.

Once during the two-hour firefight she had to dive for cover, breaking bones in her right wrist and hand in the process but carrying on despite the pain. An Associated Press photographer shot a picture of her racing for cover during the battle, and it was circulated around the world. A week passed before the extent of Flannery's injury was discovered, while she continued to perform her duties.

Flannery, an Army Reservist with the 350th Civil Affairs Command, has been recommended for the Bronze Star with a "V" device for valor, the nation's fourth highest military honor, for her actions during the battle early this month. She also is getting the Purple Heart for the injury she suffered while under fire.

Flannery's parents knew she had volunteered for a dangerous mission, knew she had been in several firefights, and knew she had been injured. But they-didn't learn the extent of her exploits until this week, when they received a letter from Col. William Ettinger, deputy commander of her unit.

"Words cannot express how proud I am of your daughter," Ettinger wrote. "She is a fine soldier ... more than willing and able to get the job done. It is an honor to serve with her."

Spec Flannery is an American soldier doing her duty to her country and brothers at arms. Real heroes don't expect medals or accolades, they simply do their duty when it arises. Be it on the battlefield, plunging into a frozen river to save a child or running into a burning office tower.

John Kerry dishonors them all by trading on his service. Not only is it unseemly, but dishonest in a way Kerry cannot fathom or he would not do so. Is it any wonder so many of us distain Senator Kerry's self-serving, chest-thumping rhetoric about his valor and service, after tossing his medals ribbons and denouncing the military as war criminals. What is it Senator? Ashamed or proud? Hero or insurgent? You can't have it both ways, you really can't.

Posted by feste at April 29, 2004 01:50 PM | TrackBack
Comments

She may have acquited herself very well, but I'm aghast at the idea of her serving in a forward unit in the first place.

She might be quite capable of fighting well, and I love the poetry of Arab men being fought back by a red-blooded American woman. But if she stays in the front lines, the manly warriors around her were instinctively protect her with their lives -- sacrificing theirs for hers even if it hurts the overall mission. No society should put their women into war.

Posted by: GE at April 30, 2004 06:43 AM

"And those have not swords can still die upon them.", Eowyn.

Women have already paid the admission price in burning office towers and hijacked airliners. The war on terror is a battle all of us must face and enjoin.

Women have asked to share this burden, while it is an admirable trait that men want to protect women, they need to face the reality of today's voluteer military.

However, I also don't think the military should shave requirements or create a class of women soldiers, they can do the job 100% or they don't. There are vital support positions for those who cannot adapt or do not have the physical stature or strength for front line slots.

Posted by: feste at April 30, 2004 07:49 AM

It's not about admission price, and women can certainly participate without being near combat -- if it weren't for American women I doubt we would've prevailed as quickly as we did in WW2.

Men, especially men who volunteer for the military, aren't going to just forget their natural instincts to protect women. You could train that out of them, but only by teaching them that women are just like men -- which they most emphatically are not and which would lead to all kinds of problems once those men rejoin civilian society.

Posted by: GE at April 30, 2004 09:49 AM

For your information I had a job to do and I did it. If You are afraid of a little war. That is not my problem. For years people have been trying to prove themselves. So do not judge me for you being scared. Yes I am a female but I am going to get my job done.

Posted by: Theresa at May 5, 2004 08:48 PM

Thank you for doing it, Theresa.

Because of the action of a few, the military is going to take a lot of shit for a while, don't let the bastards grind you down.

Posted by: feste at May 6, 2004 07:48 AM

Spec. Flannery is a fine example of an American soldier. The fact that SPC Flannery's first name is Theresa is irrelevent. In the military we have Airman, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines. We don't have Male Airman and Female Airman we are just Airman. No one addresses a soldier as Private Male so and so, or Private Female so and so, it is just PVT so and so. We are a military of many different nationalities, religions, and face it there is more than one sex that serves. The world will eventually come to learn that women are not the weaker sex they are merely the opposite sex. I have known many females in the military that would pummel the average man. If a woman can do her job, then let her do her job!! Anyone interested in a tribute to SPC Flannery please check out Specialist Flannery

Posted by: SlagleRock at May 6, 2004 09:42 PM

Look I am sorry if you have a problem with women in the military and fighting on the front line. BUt let me tell you one thing. I am a soldier and so is everyone else. As a matter of fact Myself and a fellow Basice training female soldier, both had higher pt score than most of the males. So since your mother didn't teach you the proper manners then I am sorry for you.

Posted by: Theresa at May 6, 2004 10:08 PM

I don't know whay it bothers you "GE" so much that I am doing my job. We are all soldiers and no matter sex or color we all wear the same uniform. I have a job to do and no matter what you think I am going to do it. I will not let one persons opinion bring me down when I am helping fight for his freedom. Freedom member that word. American Soldier do you really know the true meaning.

Posted by: Theresa at May 26, 2004 11:38 PM

Theresa,

Thank you for serving our country and fighting for us. I totally support women in the military and in combat; you are proving the naysayers wrong, slowly but surely. Best Wishes and stay strong.

Posted by: Gary N. at June 12, 2004 08:24 PM

Hi my name is amanda and i am only 11 years old. Im am very proud of you. I think that it is great for a female to go to fight for aour country and to get reconiezed for it. I think its great that your doing this. You are proving alot of people wrong. The person who wrote all of those other coments about women and not being able to fight should one day go to war and see what you are going through. I think its really cool that you are doing this ... abd guess what. THE REALLY COOL THING IS THAT I KNOW YOUR FAMILY. If you e-mail me back i can tell you who i am and some other stuff, like my mom is one of your granmothers friends from new york. Even though Joan and my mom both do not live in new york any more thats where they new eachother from. And isnt this funny, while im writing you this letter im talking to my mom , she said that when she lived in new york with your grandama she remembers taking you to adventure land when you were around 7 or 8 years old. Well you might not be able to read this as soon as i post it, but when you do read this letter please e-mail me back so i can tell you who i am and how i know you grandmother.
Well i hope to talk to you later.
Thank you for everything that you are doing,i think its really great.
.:*~amanda~*:.

Posted by: amanda at June 18, 2004 10:13 AM
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