ANDERSON, Ind. —
Like most media outlets, ours has been guilty at times of paying too little attention to the U.S. military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. For nearly a decade, the United States has been involved in major military operations in that part of the world.
A few years after the initial thrust in 2001 of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and after the dramatic overthrow of Saddam Hussein in Iraq in 2003, the public had grown weary of a steady stream of bad news out of the two countries.
Newspapers, TV stations and Internet news sites reflected this weariness as their coverage of U.S. military fatalities grew less prominent. After hundreds of incidents of soldiers being killed by improvised explosive devices along roadways, it didn’t seem like such big news anymore.
These stories were moved from the front page to an inside page. The stories grew shorter, the headlines smaller.
Whatever you think of President Obama’s decision to end the combat effort in Iraq, it did accomplish at least one thing here at home: It gave us a clearly defined breaking point, something of great rarity in the Iraq conflict.
Here at The Herald Bulletin, reporter Brandi Watters seized the moment to reflect upon the ultimate sacrifices of local soldiers.
Four from Madison County died in Iraq — Sgt. Robert E. Colvill Jr. of Anderson, Lance Cpl. Matthew R. Smith of Anderson, Sgt. Raymond L. White of Elwood and Staff Sgt. Brian K. Miller of Pendleton.
Four others with strong ties to the Anderson area have died in Afghanistan: Sgt. John K. Rankel, Sgt. Christopher K. Karch, Spc. Joshua L. Hill and Pfc. Jason D. Johns.
Many others have been wounded and have suffered the psychological ravages of modern warfare.
Watters’ article published Sunday (find it online at theheraldbulletin.com) paid homage to the memory of the fallen soldiers, and also gave family members a chance to talk about their legacies. Some lamented the president’s decision to withdraw combat troops because it leaves unfinished business. Others questioned why U.S. troops were in Iraq in the first place.
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When my 9-year-old son, Simon, overheard Saturday that I would be working at The Herald Bulletin on Sunday, he was greatly distressed.
“Every Sunday from now on?” he asked, his brow furrowed.
I assured him that Sunday shifts would be rare for me, but it got me to thinking about all of those who routinely work evening and weekend shifts at The Herald Bulletin.
While it’s often more quiet around the office at those times — particularly on the weekends — I’m not sure that anyone really likes to work them.
Our employees have family and friends who have busy lives, as well. And when they have to work nights or weekends, it can put their schedules at odds with the schedules of others in their lives.
So, on Labor Day, here’s a salute to all of those who work while others relax. Whether it’s to keep delivering an endless cycle of news or to provide other services and products, these folks deserve our appreciation.
Editor Scott Underwood’s column is published Mondays. Contact him at scott.underwood@heraldbulletin.com or 640-4845.
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