Letter from US Navy Aviator

[Dutch]

I thought this was beautiful.

Dear Terrorists:

I am a Navy Aviator. I was born and raised in a small town in New England. I come from a family of five. I was raised in a middle class home and taught my values by my mother and father.

My dad worked a series of jobs in finance and my Mom took care of us kids. We were not an overly religious family but attended church most Sundays. It was a nice small Episcopal Church. I have a brother and a sister and I am the youngest in my family. I was the first in many generations to attend college.

I have flown Naval aircraft for 16 years. For me the flying was never a lifelong dream or a "calling," it just happened. I needed a job and I liked the challenge. I continue to do it today because, I feel it is important to give back to a nation which has given so much to me. I do it because, although I will never be rich, my family will be comfortable.

I do it because many of my friends have left for the airlines and someone has to do it. My government has spent millions to train me to fly these multimillion dollar aircraft. I make about 70,000 dollars a year and after 20 years will be offered a pension.

I like baseball but think the players make too much money. I am in awe of firemen and policemen and what they do each day for my community, and I like teachers, they just don't get paid enough.

I respect my elders and always use sir or ma'am when addressing a stranger. I am not sure about kids these days but I think that's normal for every generation.

I voted for George Bush because I like him. I think I mad a pretty good choice.

I tell you all this because when I come for you, I want you to know me. I won't be hiding behind a woman or a child. I won't be disguised or pretending to be something I am not. I will be in a U.S. issue flight suit, I will be wearing standard U.S. issue flight gear, and I will be flying in a Navy aircraft clearly marked as a U.S. warplane.

I wish we could meet up close in a small room where I could wrap my hands around your throat and slowly squeeze the life out of you, but unfortunately, you're hiding in a hole in the ground, so we will have to do this a different way.

I want you to know also that I am very good at what I do. I can put a 2,000 pound weapon through a window from 10,000 feet up. I generally only fly at night, so you may want to start sleeping during the day.

I am not eager to die for my country but I am willing to sacrifice my life to protect it from animals like you. I will do everything in my power to ensure no civilians are hurt as I take aim at you.

My countrymen are a forgiving bunch. Many are already forgetting what you did on September 11th. But, I will not forget, and my President will not forget.

"I am coming!" I hope you know me a little bit better, see you soon...sleep tight.

Signed,

A U.S. Navy Pilot

[Sweetpea]

Wow....that was awesome!!! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

I must say that while I was watching the coverage of the war last night, I nearly bawled every time they showed the men and women in uniform, risking their lives to serve our country and to protect our freedom.

I could not possibly be more proud of them than I am right now.

YOU GUYS TRULY ROCK!!!!!! [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]