With no disrespect intended to the Jackson family, this sure does reveal the shallowness of our value system in this country.



While the focus today, tomorrow and for the next God-knows-how-many-days will be the death of a pop culture icon; while many will mourn, wail and quite literally make fools of themselves over it and while as many will speak endlessly about it, allow me, if only for a moment, to remind us all that others have died this month; others whose lives were cut short; others who leave behind loved ones and whose families will dearly miss them; families who'll suffer with much more dignity and honor than we'll be exposed to on the tube in the coming days.  



Yes... it's true... we've suffered a great loss... but forgive me while I tell you that I'm not talking about the king of pop music.



These American military members died in Iraq this month:

Sergeant Justin J. Duffy

Specialist Christopher M. Kurth

Specialist Charles D. Parrish

Lance Corporal Robert D. Ulmer

Staff Sergeant Edmond L. Lo

Sergeant Joshua W. Soto

Captain Kafele H. Sims

Specialist Chancellor A. Keesling


And these members of our U.S. Armed Forces died in Afghanistan this month:

Sergeant Jones, Ricky D.

Specialist Munguia Rivas, Rodrigo A.

Command Master Chief Petty Officer Garber, Jeffrey J.

1st Sergeant Blair, John D.

Sergeant Smith, Paul G.

Staff Sergeant Melton, Joshua

Sergeant 1st Class Dupont, Kevin A.

Specialist O'Neill, Jonathan C.

Chief Warrant Officer Richardson Jr., Ricky L.

Specialist Silva, Eduardo S.

Lance Corporal Whittle, Joshua R.

Major Barnes, Rocco M.

Major Jenrette, Kevin M.

Staff Sergeant Beale, John C.

Specialist Jordan, Jeffrey W.

Specialist Griemel, Jarrett P.

Specialist Hernandez I, Roberto A.

Sergeant Obakrairur, Jasper K.

Staff Sergeant Hall, Jeffrey A.

Private 1st Class Ogden, Matthew D.

Private 1st Class Wilson, Matthew W.  


Let's remember and honor this day those whose deaths are truly impacting.