McCain Does Not Speak For Every Soldier

The debate on Friday night presented nothing new to the American voter. It simply helped to highlight the differences that Americans have become aware of over the last couple of months of campaigning. As a veteran who believes that our main focus should be in Afghanistan, and we should work harder to promote cooperation among nations, I was unimpressed with McCain.

The moment though that disgusted me the most was when McCain talked about the bracelet he was wearing to honor a fallen soldier. He said the bracelet was given to him by the soldier's mother, in hopes that McCain would work to win the war in Iraq, and ensure that her son would not die in vain. While this is a touching story, it was inappropriate for the debate. Not only was in inappropriate, but once again McCain is working to fool voter's into believing that he is the candidate that represents the best interests of the military and the veterans. As a veteran of both the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq I would like Senator McCain to know that he does not represent me, nor does he represent a majority of soldiers in the United States Military. The military is full of men and women who are Democrat and who are Republican, men and women who support the war in Iraq, and men and women who think it was a horrible mistake. The only thing the men and women in uniform have in common is that they are willing to sacrifice for their country.

I was happy to see Obama mention the bracelet that he was wearing, and in doing show display to the rest of America that there are many parents of fallen soldiers who want this war over, so that their pain is not shared by another mother or father. Below is an article about the mother who gave Senator Obama her son's bracelet, it is a moving story, and should not be politicized. However when Senator McCain politicizes the Iraq war and the death of a brave soldier, there is no choice but for Senator Obama to show the rest of America that McCain does not speak for every soldier, and for every mother of a fallen hero.

Seth Lovell

Below is an article about the mother who gave Senator Obama her son's bracelet...

Soldiers Mother "Ecstatic" Obama Mentioned Bracelet in Debate

MILWAUKEE — The mother of a Wisconsin soldier who died in Iraq says she was "ecstatic" when Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama mentioned during Friday's debate the bracelet she gave him in honor of her son.

Tracy Jopek of Merrill told The Associated Press on Sunday she was honored that Obama remembered Sgt. Ryan David Jopek, who was killed in 2006 by a roadside bomb.

Jopek criticized Internet reports suggesting Obama, D-Ill., exploited her son for political purposes.

"I don't understand how people can take that and turn it into some garbage on the Internet," she said.

Jopek acknowledged e-mailing the Obama campaign in February asking that the presidential candidate not mention her son in speeches or debates. But she said Obama's mention on Friday was appropriate because he was responding after Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee, said a soldier's mother gave him a bracelet.

"I've got a bracelet, too, from Sergeant _ from the mother of Sergeant Ryan David Jopek, given to me in Green Bay," Obama said during the debate. "She asked me, 'Can you please make sure another mother is not going through what I'm going through?' No U.S. soldier ever dies in vain because they're carrying out the missions of their commander in chief. And we honor all the service that they've provided."

Jopek says Obama's comment rightfully suggested there's more than one viewpoint on the war.

She wouldn't directly say whether she wanted Obama to refrain from mentioning the bracelet again, but said she hopes the issue will just go away. >P?"I think these bracelets should be looked upon as an honor that both candidates wear them to respect the troops," Jopek said. "My request to both of them is that they honor the troops by lifting the conversation to the issues, and that they continue to live up to the standards our military deserves."