Ed, Farah, Micheal & Billy

I have had enough! I have seen too many tributes to these "stars". Their deaths mean nothing to me. They have done little to earn my respect!

Micheal ? Talented ? I guess that depends on your viewpoint of what talent is. I personal have not cared for him and his "talent" since the breakup of the Jackson 5. As a child he made the group but once he developed into a solo act he went down hill talent wise.

Farah ? Looked good on Charlie's Angels but fell from that pedestal long ago.

Billy ? Loud Mouth that made his millions being arrogant. He lent his name to products people wouldn't buy without his pitch.

Ed ? Ed is the only one who has the slightest bit of respect from me and even that is diminished by his endorsements of Publisher's Clearing House. Although they are legal, they are certainly a major contributor to unwanted mail and email. Their promotions generated millions in subscriptions to magazines in the false hopes of enhancing chances of winning.

I submit to you that during the period of June 23 - June 29, there were 4 other Americans who died that deserve more of a tribute and more remembrance that these four listed above.

1) SGT Terry Lynch, 22, of Shephard Montana, died June 29 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan,of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron of the 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

2) PFC Peter K Cross, 20, of Saginaw, Texas, died June 26 at combat outpost Carwile, Afghanistan of injuries sustained in a vehicle rollover. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

3) PFC Steven T Drees, 19, of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, died June 28 of injuries sustained June 24 in Konar Province, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms and RPGs. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

4) 1LT Brian Bradshaw,24, of Steilacoom, Washington, died June 25 in Kheyl, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when an IED detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion,501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Airborne Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.

At this point I ask you to take a moment and thank your God that we have men like this willing to sacrifice their lives in your name.

These men deserve your remembrance, yet I am willing to bet that unless you live near one of them you have not heard of them. They have given to this country more than the celebrities listed above ever could. They did not get millions and millions of dollars doing what they did. They did it because it was the right thing to do. It was what they wanted to do. Yet, what thanks do we give them?

We put a yellow ribbon magnet on our cars and say "I support the troops". A magnet and a phrase just isn't enough!!!

We each and every one of us should be showing how we support our troops; sending care packages, walking up to a stranger in uniform and saying thank you, making sure they are taken care of once they leave the military.

They need to be able to go to a VA Health Care facility that doesn't have to worry about the bottom line in determining the level of service given our veterans. We need to have the VA fully funded. You can help make this happen. Call and email your elected officials in Washington. They can make this happen and they will if we all show we support our troops.