Echo9er

UPDATED 11-2-2005 — From Michelle Malkin: OTHERS HAVE DIED FOR MY FREEDOM. NOW THIS IS MY MARK.”

These are words you did not read in the New York Times. They are the words of the late Corporal Jeffrey B. Starr, whose letter to his girlfriend in case of death in Iraq was selectively edited by the Times to convey a bogus sense of “fatalism.”

Read this. Follow the links. You decide. This story has been going around since the initial DoD release. The issue here, in my opinion, isn’t so much the letter found on CPL Starr’s computer. It’s the selective omission of text leading readers to believe the fatalism in his letter. It’s the MSM, in this case The New York Times, and their anti-war slant that is the issue, especially since we reached the 2000 death “milestone” (There is no more significance to death 2000 as there was to death 1) in Iraq. The omission of almost the entire paragraph demonstrates the MSM’s continued effort to only report the negatives of this war.

Here is the text as reported:

Sifting through Corporal Starr’s laptop computer after his death, his father found a letter to be delivered to the marine’s girlfriend. “I kind of predicted this,” Corporal Starr wrote of his own death. “A third time just seemed like I’m pushing my chances.”

Here is the whole paragraph (Emphasis is mine):

“Obviously if you are reading this then I have died in Iraq. I kind of predicted this, that is why I’m writing this in November. A third time just seemed like I’m pushing my chances. I don’t regret going, everybody dies but few get to do it for something as important as freedom. It may seem confusing why we are in Iraq, it’s not to me. I’m here helping these people, so that they can live the way we live. Not have to worry about tyrants or vicious dictators. To do what they want with their lives. To me that is why I died. Others have died for my freedom, now this is my mark.”

Please don’t forget this story. Don’t forget the sacrifice this Hero made in the pursuit of freedom for others. Don’t allow the MSM to only report the part of the story that presses their agendas. Demand the whole story. Support our Troops and keep CPL Starr, his family, and all the Fallen Heroes in our thoughts and Prayers. Thank each of them for a job well done. Remeber their Sacrifice. HOOAH!

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From Military.com: A Marine’s Last Words

Cpl. Jeffrey B. Starr, 22, of Snohomish, Wash., died May 30 from small-arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces near Ar Ramadi, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif. During Operation Iraqi Freedom his unit was attached to 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward).

A letter found on Cpl. Starr’s computer at home was for his girlfriend:

“Dearest Emmylyn,

I’m writing this for one reason only. On April 13th 2004 I thought I was going to die. My only regret is that I hadn’t spent enough time with you. That I hadn’t told you everything I wanted to. Being in Iraq for a 3rd time, I don’t want to feel that way again because it was the worst feeling ever. So this letter is in case I won’t ever get the chance to tell you.

Obviously if you are reading this then I have died in Iraq. I kind of predicted this - that is why I’m writing this in November. A third time just seemed like I’m pushing my chances. I don’t regret going, everybody dies but few get to do it for something as important as freedom.”

…”Well I can’t type forever, I know you want to read more but I thought simple and to the point would be easier.

I love you with all my heart.

Goodbye my Love.”

I can only imagine the pain his parents felt when they found this. I can only imagine the pain his girlfriend felt when she read it.

Cpl. Starr was returning for a third tour in Iraq. A hero, doing what he did best, defending his country and pursing freedom for others.

Starr was laid to rest June 8 at the Grand Army of the Republic Cemetery in Snohomish, after which about 1,500 people filled the Snohomish High School gymnasium for a memorial.

Our deepest condolences to Cpl. Starr’s family, friends and comrades.

I posted the DoD release on May 31st, 2005