Gunfighter: A Modern Warrior's Life

Remembering Nick Manoukian

A few years ago, I first told you about the story of  A young Marine from Michigan, who lost his life in the Anbar province of Iraq.   His name was Nicholas Manoukian, and he was 22 years old when he died.

Since then, I have posted about this dedicated young man several times, particularly on Veteran's Day.  You see, I promised this young man's mother that I wouldn't forget her son, and that I wouldn't allow others to forget him, either.

Nicholas Manoukian is one of over four thousand Americans and untold hundreds of thousands of Iraqis who have been killed in Iraq since the U.S. invasion, of that country, and now that President Obama has said that all American troops should be out of that shattered country by the end of this year, I want to say something that I think is important.

You see, we Americans have short memories.  Seriously short, if you can recall our last Presidential election we were concerned about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and now all we do is quietly shake our heads about them.  Those on the left have moved on to Occupy Wall Street and other things, and those on the right are up in arms about gay people and wrecking the ability of our goevernment to govern.  Now, not too many people talk about these wars.  I guess it isn't popular for anyone these days.  Well guess what, kids?  These wars aren't over, and Americans are still dying. You probably already know how I feel about the wars, but this isn't about that.  I want to talk to you today about a particular young American.  A young person who is probably fairly typical of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who have lost their lives doing the bidding of our government.

 

This is Nick Manoukian.  A husband and father from Lathrup Village, Michigan.  He lost his life during his second combat tour in Iraq, in 2006.

Look hard, folks.... look and ramember that this young fellow died for his country.  Look and remember that no matter what your politics are, this country, for the sake of it's own soul, has to remember that the actions of our government have consequences that mean more than political rhetoric.

By all accounts (I have been in touch with Nick's mother, Mary, and several of his Marine  Corps comrades for a few years now), Nick was a great son, and a first class Marine.  He was also a good friend to those who knew him.  The loss of this young man is a loss to all of us.

I didn't post this on Veteran's Day this year, because I didn't want it to get lost in the general flag-waving and fist pumping that generally happens then.   I want people to remember Nick Manoukian on days that aren't so special.  I want you to remember this young man who left a grieving, heartbroken mother and wife & child.  I want you to remember him for all of those who won't come back from those places.

 

Corporal Nicholas Manoukian, 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, 1984-2006

On Veterans Day

Facebook, Twitter and other places on the internet have been abuzz all day with senitments of thanks for the service of our veterans. I think that this is apprpopriate. As a veteran, I thank you for saying "thank you".

Today, I am proud of my friends who are veterans. I am proud of my father, his brother, my father in law, my brother, and my young nephew who is crrently serving.

From my own persepctive I have to say that for all of your thanks my knees still hurt, so does my shoulder and my back. So do the injuries of countless other veterans.

You're welcome for (and to) my pain. Really.

While you pat yourself on the back today, feeling good about yourselves for thanking the veterans that you see during the day, remember this:

Thousands of veterans are homeless.

Thousands of veterans need medical care for injuries or wounds that they sustained while serving, and won't get it from Uncle Sam.

On this day, you might want to remember that hundreds of thousands of our veterans were used in atomic experiments. You might also remember that hundreds of thousands of veterans were exposed to chemicals like Agent Orange and other defoliants. You might also remember that hundreds of thousands of veterans were given unproven "anti nerve-gas" drugs while serving in combat zones... or have been exposed to depleted uranium, or have been exposed to nerve agents.

You might want to remember those things... and after you say "Happy Veterans Day" to the veterans that you know... call your Congressional Representatives (blue or red), and tell them that they MUST do a better job of looking after those who gave a piece (or pieces) of themselves IN WAR OR PEACE, to seve our country.

Further, while you offer thanks for our veteran's sacrifice, look inside of yourselves and critically analyze the reasons that we have asked these men and women to risk life and limb for their country. Ask yourself if all of the sacrifices that they have been asked to made were really for your "freedom" Ask yourself if your freedoms would be any different had we, collectively, not sent men and women to die for a particular cause. Ask yourself if the people that represent you/us are faithful stewards of the lives, health and courage of our military men and women.

Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen, and Marines, train and prepare to serve our country at the risk of the loss of life and limb. The very least we can do is to be a little more careful with what we do with this gift of service.

Does it sound like I am bitter? Perhaps I am. Sorry if that harshes your mellow.

 

(This has been re-posted from Veteran's Day 2010, becausw I don't think I can sum up any more eloquently.)