Michael Kane

Years ago in Michigan, I met a friend, one of my cousins best friends had moved to live 5 blocks from where I was. We became close friends even though we were both living different lives, we could always let go and just be ourselves. Matt is a great son to his mother, he is his brothers keeper, there for his friends no matter what and when his country cried out for help, he put his life on the lines so you and I could sleep at night knowing the bravest are over there at their doorsteps protecting us. Fighting for what this country stands for, freedom…but it all just does not seem right.

Matt loves everything about life, got by with studies all the way to graduate, worked hard and loves his girl friend with all his heart. A loyal man he is, a loyal friend and a caring son. He stood by his mother for 2 years till she won the fight with cancer, came out a winner, told me without her baby boy, she would have never had the courage to go through it all. His younger brother follows in his footsteps, Matt was and always will be there to guide Jake right, that’s what brothers are for.

As loyal a friend as he is to my cousin growing up, he is someone I know I can forever depend on.

Matt was hit twice in the leg, and once the shoulder in the midst of a hail of bullets exchanged by our boys and rebels wile on escort duty. His brother said, he was told that Matt is in critical condition, but fighting, and that they are doing everything they can to keep him alive. I remember him saying “Mom said she wanted to break my legs so I don’t go. She understands why I need to do this, but she hates me for leaving her like this. She’s afraid, I’m afraid.” (parts too personal to share were removed from this conversation, quoted to the best of my memory).

Come back home damn it Matt….

The reality of the war in Iraq has suddenly become all too painfully real for Matts family and friends, and we are once again reminded of just how serious the situation in Iraq has become. Yet we do nothing about it but speak out in disapprove? Are we that insignificant? Are we that weak? Useless? Are we, the American citizens not the ones fueling this war with tens of billions a month?

You are to blame for this. I am to blame for this. Unless we do whatever it is we can to make a difference, the slightest difference, however insignificant, then we shall forever live with the fact that, we are indeed aiding this treacherous inhuman act against what we do stand for, our freedom, our brothers, sons, fathers, friends freedoms, those risking their lives every second, for what? For who? Us? We would rather they do it on their soil, where they were born and raised, right here.

I love you matt, bro, I still owe you a beer mother fucker, and I plan to pay it up. Get well soon.

God bless our soldiers.