A Letter to America: A Final Email from SSG O.T. Hawkins (KIA Iraq, 14Oct -- MUST READ!!)

The Peoples Defender ^ | 27 Oct 04 | SSG O.T. Hawkins

[xzins]

A letter to America

Editor's note: The following is an e-mail written by Staff Sgt. Omer T. (O.T.) Hawkins to his brother, Buck (Sgt. James Hawkins, Missouri National Guard). It is reprinted here in it's entirety.

These Turbulent Times

Dear America,

I sit here and ponder the turbulent world we live in today, and for the first time in my life I have grown apprehensive. Old enemies have become new friends, old friends have become new enemies and every corner of the world village we all live in seems to be collapsing in strife.

These most dangerous of times are harbinger of change to the world, collapses of whole cultures and civilizations and a new foundation of the potential rule of fear as opposed to the rule of law. I wonder if, towards the beginning of the Dark Age's, people felt the same.

I am not for war and most certainly I am not opposed to peace, I am a soldier, to be for war would mean to put my closest friends and family into harm's way. The world is most obviously filled to the brim with violence and hatred with no end in sight. Many wise people have made statements along the lines of this: "all people feel fear, the brave go on despite their fear."

Is there a better way to resolve the problems of demagogues and tyranny than violence? This I cannot answer, for there is no precedent for this happening in the history of humanity.

The world problems today are greater than Iraq or Afghanistan, these things exist as a result of the problems, yes I am saying these issues are, in fact, symptoms. The violence and breakdown of order in every corner of the world, religious intolerance in Europe, political upheaval in the Americas, tribal and ideological fighting in Africa and the rule of the gun in Asia.

It was said that September 11, 2001 changed the world, and how it did. Mighty and benevolent America was attacked, the attackers used innocent men, women and children to strike at our nation.

I will not say America is perfect, we have made our fair share of mistakes and committed our fair share of crimes against others. The Indian Wars, the Mexican-American War, the Spanish-American War, the occupation of the Philippines and the dirty battles of the Cold War. That is just a shortened list of valid complaints to our grave misdeeds of the past.

America has also seen its share of noble ventures as well. I'm sure others will undoubtedly and predictably find fault with her and her efforts, any half-wit can find fault in even the kindest of people and acts.

I am not writing to excuse war, I am writing this to explain my understanding. Our own CIA and Special Forces trained the Mujaheddin soldiers that we ended up fighting in practically every corner of the world. They were not trained to oppress or murder, but to fight Soviet tanks and Spetsnaz. The training in guerrilla tactics and equipment was meant to level the field. They choose to use their training for nefarious purposes and murderous deeds.

The world was shocked when these immoral men destroyed ancient and irreplaceable artifacts, oppressed the masses, murdered, maimed and tortured in the name of their religion. The list of crimes of these same men includes genital mutilation of young women, draconian laws of rape and intolerance and the attempt to bring their own morbid and despicable desires onto the world.

For right or wrong, America has embarked on a course to right the wrongs of the past. Historical hindsight always offers a perfect view, and we will not know of success or failure for many years to come.

I cannot intelligently argue the claims of those against America. Iraq had supported terror with the use of facilities for terrorists, reward money for the families of suicide bombers who targeted Americans, weapons and training and offered safe haven to many of them.

Ultimately, this letter is a declaration of my clear conscience. I will endeavor and will continue to train my soldiers to seek these lesser men out and make them know fear. I will continue to fight when others falter and grow weary of their duty.

I firmly believe in my Constitution, in fact I believe it applies to all humanity, not just America. I believe that it serves all people who are not just citizens of what I am convinced is the greatest nation in the world, but to all people regardless of their origins.

I believe that the American dream is not economical or political, it is the dream that all people can live a peaceful and prosperous existence by mutual respect and kindness.

Ultimately though, I believe to get to that dream, good people must do those things we abhor. We must be ready to attack the adversaries of peace and tolerance. These evil men do not respect anything but force of arms, they only acknowledge the power of fear and hate.

America, I ask that we must keep faith in ourselves. The path has been chosen, not by us but by these evil men. In the past, others would have had us stand aside during times of trouble such as these. In the past, others would have had us turn a blind eye towards the plight of others.

In all of those times, we did the hard right over the easy wrong. We stood against malevolent, imperialistic powers such as the Barbados Pirates, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union only to be criticized later for our deeds. The same people who criticize our past, fail to acknowledge that they would be incapable of that criticism had we done nothing.

In the America I love, the current state of affairs is to attack the patriotism of others, this is a disgusting act of treachery against our Constitution. People use the right of freedom of speech to slander and libel their opponents. This, in my view is akin to blasphemy. I say let those that protest our war effort, and yes it is our war effort, do so.

The gravest threat to our nation is not these cowardly men who only know bravery against unarmed civilians, but instead the potential that they change us. Keeping faith in yourself regardless of your point of view is paramount to our success.

Yes, I am indeed saying that the end of this will not be a victorious celebration of heroic battles fought and won, but it will end when we embrace our adversaries and rebuild their lives for the better. Germany and Japan enjoy even today the benefits of losing to America.

Let us make sure the past again never haunts the lives of the future generations. To ultimately win this war, we must be a paradox, we must not only defeat and crush our enemies, but also help and embrace them.

Thomas Hawkins

[xzins]

I cannot intelligently argue the claims of those against America. Iraq had supported terror with the use of facilities for terrorists, reward money for the families of suicide bombers who targeted Americans, weapons and training and offered safe haven to many of them.

Ultimately, this letter is a declaration of my clear conscience. I will endeavor and will continue to train my soldiers to seek these lesser men out and make them know fear. I will continue to fight when others falter and grow weary of their duty.

[xzins]

I was preparing to deliver the invocation at our county Republican Party Bush Rally last week and was asked to observe a moment of silence for SSG Hawkins. News of his death had just come to us.

He was an honor student at North Adams High School, and a patriot. He had always dreamed of an army career.

His family insisted to the local TV: This is what he wanted.

We're not worthy of such men. They keep us safe.

They need our support for their MORALE!

This letter is support for our President.

[AndrewC]

BTTT

[tuckahoe]

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Omer T. Hawkins II

Age: 31

From: Cherry Fork, Ohio

Assigned To: 44th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division

Based In: Camp Howze, Korea

Fatality Date: Thursday, October 14, 2004

Fatality Cause: Hostile - hostile fire - RPG attack

Fatality Location: Ramadi, Iraq

[opus86]

Wow. An awesome letter. May the Lord bring comfort and strength to his family.

[xzins]

Ping to what I think is a stunning testimony to how awesome the patriotism, intellect, and ability of our regular soldiers in the field....especially the last half of this letter shouts truth to America!

[xzins]

Buck Hawkins reads an e-mail he had received from his brother, Omer Thomas Hawkins shortly before his death. He is supported by his sister, Cherry Frederick (left) and his mother, Lisa Christman. Photo by Carleta Weyrich/The People’s Defender

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you for the ping and the insight! Moreover, thank God for heroes such as SSG Hawkins.

[xzins]

Indeed, A-G.

What a patriotic testimony!

[Americanwolf]

Rest in Peace SSG. Hawkins...

Thank you for your service... May I have the honor of meeting you in heaven.

[Alamo-Girl]

So very true, xzins! Here's another bump for our hero!

[baseballmom]

Thank you God, for the gift of SSG Hawkins. We are truly a blessed nation to have such men.

Prayers sent to his family, that they are covered in God's grace and comfort, as they mourn the loss of their brother and son.

[ex 98C MI Dude]

While men like this hold the ramparts, this nation will never fall to a foreign invader.

Its up to us to make sure it never falls to a domestic enemy.

Get out and vote!

[xzins]

If I remember correctly, SSG Hawkin's father died when Hawkins was just a boy.

His father was a soldier at the time.

Hawkins' age (31) makes it possible that Hawkins' father gave his life in Vietnam. What a price SSG Hawkins' mother has paid.

[zeaal]

Thank you for your service SSG Hawkins.

[Alamo-Girl]

Oh my goodness. Thank God for this woman!

[King Prout]

PING!

[valleygal]

Thank you. This young man and his family are heroes in my eyes. I am praying for them.

[the invisib1e hand]

RIP.

Japan enjoy even today the benefits of losing to America.

The number of Japanese visitors to the Statue of Liberty would be an annoyance if it wasn't such an undeniable proof of this man's point.

[GarySpFc]

Ping