Have We Learned From Our Mistakes-My Thoughts on Syria

The images are shocking. High school students burned over 80% of their bodies among other civilians in Syria. In a recent genocide against their own people, the Syrian government has used chemical weapons creating a political crisis for the leading countries of the world. To the credit of President Obama, he has delayed any military force until a vote of confidence takes place by our Congress.  I ask, have we learned from our mistakes over the last ten years since the attacks on 9/11? In two wars, there have been mistakes and brave decisions,  thousands of American troops lives taken in combat, countless veterans returning with many physical and mental challenges and the many military families left behind to find a way forward without their loved ones sent off to war.

Our country has been war weary and detached from the Iraq War and the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.  Recent pictures of the suffering Syrians, creates an emotional sense of urgency as it did shortly after 9/11. When were the last time a pictures of an IED exploding an American tank, a flag draped casket being unloaded at Dover Delaware Air force Base and the actual crashing of aircrafts into the Twin Towers shown on the evening news?  Yet again we are presented graphic images of the horrific acts in Syria.

A line in the sand has been crossed. The question we face as Americans is do we continue to be the police power of the world at what cost to our own people.  We have the opportunity as citizens to have a voice in this decision by contacting our Senators and Congressman to express our concerns and views of another military attack. Why not economic sanctions and diplomacy first?  War only brings more death and destruction and should only be used as a last resort. I remember President Reagan challenging Russian President Gorbachev to tear down that wall. Then one night I watched in disbelief as the wall came down. Without a single shot the Cold War was over. We fight new and old enemies and I ask are we prepared for yet another engagement that could potentially ignite a new outbreak of wars throughout the Middle East? Let us learn from our mistakes of the past and make intentional, purposeful, well thought out decisions before we rush to war.

Recueing Horses - Finding Trust

Well it has been since mid April that Annie's Hope, Courage and Heath Bar were rescued by Solid Rock Therapeutic Riding Services. 

As you may remember, our family had been looking for projects to help surviving families and returning veterans who suffer from PTSD as a result of the the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars.

We looked into equine therapy as it appeared to be very successful for veterans with PTSD and Melissa and I have thought it might be a benefit for surviving families from these enduring wars.  Over the last several months, Melissa and I have been in training with Shannon from the ranch.

To start, you have to understand, I am petrified of horses. They are big and intimidating. What I have learned so far is this is an adventure in finding trust. It is about me learning to trust them as the horses are learning to trust me. Trust is a hard thing to find when you are broken by life whether you are a broken horse or  person.

Th good news is that I am learning to trust these big, 1,500 lb beauties and they are learning to trust me. The last couple of times, I have been grooming Heath Bar. The first time I entered his stall  when he first arrived at Solid Rock, I was jumping out of it as soon as I entered as he pinned his ears back and came at me and was going to bite my hiney.

We have come a long way since that time. I can groom him and I attempt to pick his hooves. That is a challenge, but I am making progress. They reality is I find peace when I am there. I see why this is a good thing for hurting people and I am blessed to be part of this adventure. I hope others will find this experience as well in the future as the horses progress in their healing and learn to find trust as well.

We Remember Them

I ran across this poem as I am preparing for out upcoming Memorial Day. I choose to remember our loved who gave so much for our freedom. The light of their lives still shine on.

A Litany of Remembrance Roland B. Gittelsohn In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, We remember them. In the opening buds and in the rebirth of spring, We remember them. In the blueness of the sky and in the warmth of summer, We remember them. In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn, We remember them. In the beginning of the year and when it ends, We remember them. When we are weary and in need of strength, We remember them. When we are lost and are sick of heart, We remember them. When we have Joys we yearn to share, We remember them. So long as we live, they too shall live, For they are now a part of us, As we remember them.

Help Needed for Ohio Gold Star Mother

Dear Friends,


I found out through my military connections that an Ohio Gold Star mother is in desperate need of a vehicle. The S. N. Warner Family Association would like to raise $5,000 to provide this mother a car so she can have transportation to get employment. She was left in a dire situation after the loss of her son. The mother was forced to leave her son’s (KIA last month) home after he died. She was staying there with two of the soldier’s other siblings, taking care of the house. When he passed, she had to leave as she was left with no resources. Catholic Charities has offered her temporary housing, but she desperately needs a car.

Click link below to Donate!

 http://is.gd/F6HSVS
God Bless,

Scott Warner

A Poem to Ponder

As I prepare for the upcoming Memorial Day events I ran across this poem. It reminds me of the moments that haunt me and my family. I am aware of a sadness that follows us forever.

They Lay At Final Rest
by Del "Abe" Jones

They lie in flag draped coffins
War's time for them, is done
But, for their family and friends
The battle has just barely begun.

Some may have had babies born
That they will never get to know
Some, fiancees wait to marry them
But fate, would not let it be so.

Some parents bury their children
Not right, in the scheme of things
Just one, of the many horrors
That mankind's warring brings.

They fought for their god and country
They proudly answered duty's call
Along with all their comrades in arms
But, sadly, these just gave their all.

The haunting sounds of Taps
And a three volley, gun salute
An Honor Guard in uniform
At attention, standing mute.

The flag will be folded reverently
Presented to those left behind
A small token from a grateful nation
But, relief from grief is hard to find.

Their name added to a roll of Heroes
With all those who have gone before
And there seems to be no ending
To all those to be sacrificed to war.

Not Just Another Saturday

This past Saturday I was driving and listening to the radio as I usually do. On the news break, it was reported that an official ceremony was taking place in Iraq. The Marines were leaving and transferring their presence to the Army. The ceremony was taking place in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq.

I knew the day would eventually come that this chapter of my life would come to a close, but it is so bittersweet, painful, sad and scary. This was the last part of Heath's life while he was alive. It's so hard to let go, but I am thankful that the very area that Heath was killed was also the place the Marines ended their service in the Iraq War.

I know this news clip probably passed by with little attention, but for me it had my complete attention. I pray that this pacified area will spur other areas to continue to move forward with peace. This was not just another Saturday for me but the turning of the page and ending of one chapter in my life and hopefully the start of another chapter. Thank you to all our Marines and Semper Fi.

God Bless,

Scott

Still working on the book.

Just wanted to give you an update on the process of the book I am writing. I have outlined my chapters and trying to write five pages a week. It is an interesting process. I have gone back to the past and have some good laughs as I remember fond memories. I think I would like the title to be, A Gift for Heath. I chose this because Heath wanted to write a book about his life and writing this book is my gift back to him. I hope it will inspire others on their journeys through life. If you have any stories about Heath pass them on to me as I may use them in the book. Have a great week! Scott

Happy New Year!

As we start this new year, I wanted to share with you some things that will be taking place that you will find interesting and that I might need some help on.

1. I started releasing some editorial opinions (OP-ED's). The first was released in November entitled, Make Decision on Afghanistan Now ( http://www.cantonrep.com/opinion/x1158539608/Make-decision-on-Afghanistan-now ). The first was picked up in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, The Canton Repository and on Across the Country with Bob Dunning on XM radio. The second entitled, Is America Ready for Four More Years of War, I hope will be picked up in national papers as well as in Ohio papers in the next couple of weeks. If you have a topic you would like me to write on please let me know.

Here the latest op-ed for a preview.

OP ED by Scott Warner

Is America Ready for Four More Years of War


The decision has been made and a strategic plan to provide an increase of 34,000 American troops with an additional 7,000 troops from allied forces over an 18 month period. I believe if this surge is executed forcefully, strategically and the troops use all the means they have access to, the Taliban and Al-Qaeda forces will be severely crippled and allow the Afghanistan troops and police forces time to train and take eventual control of these high risk regions.

There are those who have attacked the 18 month time frame and the additional period of US forces stepping down over a total four year period. Initially with the Iraq war, I struggled when timelines where attached to the discussion of a troop surge. However, lack of planning and poor leadership only produced a period of unnecessary police forcing until the surge took place. From my point of view, we have an opportunity to learn from the past and be more bold, forceful, and strategic with the Afghanistan surge and as a result this time line is feasible. I am supporting the President on this decision.

What Does This Mean to America

We will soon be entering into our ninth year of war and as the 17,000 troops are deployed, I question if American’s have a clear understanding of the impact of four more years of war. I call the current wars of Iraq and Afghanistan, The Wars That do not Touch America. Unless you have a loved one serving, or have lost a loved one in the field of battle, these wars do not touch the average American. For the most part, our life styles are business as usual. Furthermore, I question if they even care about the undertaking we are about to take. The privilege of a safe free America and sacrifices of our all volunteer men and women are taken for granted, unappreciated and even minimized. Can you even imagine how a father and mother must feel sending their loved one to war? It is a rare call we are asked to make. Recently, in an interview on the Today Show, Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates stated, “that when a family member enlists the family reenlists.“ That is the experience of my family and families across America who have sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, and brothers and sisters who have to deal with the realities of war and their lives are forever changed. We know the financial costs are outstanding, but President Obama stated in his address at his acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize, “Still, we are at war, and I'm responsible for the deployment of thousands of young Americans to battle in a distant land. Some will kill, and some will be killed. And so I come here with an acute sense of the costs of armed conflict -- filled with difficult questions about the relationship between war and peace, and our effort to replace one with the other. “

With the reality that we are increasing our troops, we as Americans can expect an increase in casualties as time progresses. It has already been reported that the Muslim extremist are already preparing for the surge by creating improved IED’s (Improvised Explosive Devices).

Life after the Loss

I share my thoughts and observations because I have witnessed there is a disconnect between the American population and the cost of war. This point was emphasized by President Obama as he stated in his Nobel address, “But in many countries, there is a disconnect between the efforts of those who serve and the ambivalence of the broader public. I understand why war is not popular, but I also know this: The belief that peace is desirable is rarely enough to achieve it. Peace requires responsibility. Peace entails sacrifice.”

Since the loss of my son and as the process of grieving begins, my family and families across America have suffered greatly from the cost of war. Issues such as depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have caused many surviving families to take a cocktail of antidepressants, antianxiety and sleeping medications to function on a daily basis. Psychiatrists and counseling become a part of your new life. Finding a new normal is not an easy process. I have witnessed as a result of these consequences, individuals lose their jobs, retire early or are forced into early retirement and lose homes as their employers turn their heads to the long term consequences of war. Why should families who have given so much have to hire and pay thousands of dollars to pay attorneys as they are mocked by disconnected employers and coworkers? Some family member’s succumb to the devastation and chose suicide over life. This is an unexpected, disappointing reality of the life after the loss and sacrifice of war. I share this because I am living this out with my current employer and I am disturbed at the arrogance of our country that life is business as usual. As our President stated, “Peace entails sacrifice.” We have already given the ultimate sacrifice of the blood, sweat and tears of our loved ones.


What is the Solution?

Next of kin who are not a spouse or a child of a veteran do not receive federal support or assistance. Other than any life insurance your loved one may have elected to bequest to you and the government death gratuity there is no or very restricted support. The Gold Star Family (a family who has lost a loved one on the field of battle) are already recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense, but other than that there is no protection for Gold Star families as they move forward from their loss for their jobs, loss of wages, additional health care costs, insurance, and education benefits for those whose child had participated in the GI bill which could be passed on to their other family members. After the attacks of 9/11, the Congress passed the Air Transportation Safety and Stabilization Act, Public Law No. 107-42 (the Act). Among other things, this legislation established the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (VCF or the Fund). The Fund was designed to compensate individuals who were injured or relatives of individuals who were killed in the attacks. For fiscal years (FY) 2002, 2003, and 2004, a total of $5.12 billion was budgeted to compensate the victims and their families. According to the Act, the VCF ended on December 22, 2003; no claims could be filed after that date (from the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund Of 2001 Executive Summary).

Why has similar legislation not been enacted for the families who have sacrificed so much already and continue to sacrifice as they suffer the long term effects of war? I challenge our legislators to listen to the stories of surviving families and develop federal support and assistance for the next of kin. As Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates stated that when a family member enlists the family reenlists; the Congress should provide the support the families need to move forward. I hope as time moves forward and as individuals like myself, the President and our legislators speak out, the community will replace ignorance and arrogance with compassion. My heart already goes out to the families who will lose their loved ones over the next four years. I hope I can be a light of hope to them.

Scott Warner
Proud Gold Star Father of Pvt. Heath Warner
KIA, 11/22/2006, Al Anbar, Iraq



2. I am in the process of writing a book. I am going to be posting on a weekly basis what I am writing on. If you are a family member or friend that has a story or memory to share, please pass it along.

3. We are in the process of planning The Pvt. Heath Warner 5K Memorial Run and Family Fun Walk. I will be communicating updates through Heath's website, www.pvtheathwarner.com and my Facebook account.

4. Over the last three years, we have been restoring Heath's car to be the lead car in the race, for parades and car shows. The car will be unveiled in May. Special thanks for Dr. Wraps and 3M for donating the materials and labor for Heath's Hero Car.

5. I have set up a blog, which I hope will catch on! The link for my blog is http://www.scottnwarner.blogspot.com . Please pass along to your friends.

God Bless,

Scott