Just a thought.
A few weeks ago my husband sent me a "funny" email - the ones that come with a picture to make a point. It was a picture of an Army soldier that was obviously heavier than regulation standards. It was, in short, an unflattering, and at the time, I'm sure it was amusing to those who saw it.
The picture has slowly morphed into a kind of mascot for other branches of the military. I have seen he powers of the Internet change the fuzzy cell phone picture into a series of 'motivational' posters, as well as the punchline of many Internet jokes. Army Strong has a whole new meaning now.
I am not going to sit here and try and say I took the high road, and didn't forward on the email. I'm not going to lie and say I didn't laugh, and didn't happily forward on this email to all the Army folks I know. I'm not going to justify my use of the email as a punchline to numerous Army Strong word lashings. -( Like my new phrase word lashings)-. And I wish I could say that I didn't take full advantage of this guy's downfall for my own personal amusement. I'm a douche.
But there the thing. I regret it. I'm ashamed of my self. And to those who rushed to judgment, and turned this guy into a punchline, you to should be ashamed.
Have you thought for a moment as to who this poor guy is? Take a second and think about his wife/girlfriend/whoever. What if he is father? Think about his family, and his loved ones. Sure, he is overweight, and he needs to lose weight. But have stopped to think that maybe there is a medical reason? Have you stopped to think that maybe he was injured and bedridden for months or years, and therefore the weight has been piling on, through no fault of his won.
Have you thought that maybe he trying to do something to help himself, and your callous behavior has cost him his last bit self-esteem.
Here is my last word on this....
He is an American soldier. He is fighting for his country. He is willing to die on YOUR behalf. So the next time you forward that email, or share a joke on his behalf, remember one thing....He fights for freedom to do so.
