Slain Beverly soldier explained why he served

October 17, 2008 09:25 AM Email| Comments (14)| Text size – +

The following is a blog entry written on Aug. 30, 2008, by Army Specialist Stephen Fortunato, who was killed Tuesday in Afghanistan when the vehicle he was riding in was blown up by an improvised explosive device. This entry was forwarded to the Globe by his mother, Elizabeth "Betty" Crawford.

If I may …

I'd like to say something....Just to get it out there so it is clear.
To all the pampered and protected Americans who feel it is their duty to inform me that I am not fighting for their freedom, and that i am a pawn in Bush's agenda of greed and oil acquisition: Noted, and [expletive deleted] You.

I am not a robot. i am not blind or ignorant to the state of the world or the implications of the "war on terrorism." i know that our leaders have made mistakes in the handling of a very sensitive situation, but do not for one second think that you can make me lose faith in what we, meaning America's sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers in uniform are doing.
I am doing my part in fighting a very real enemy of the United States, i.e. Taliban, Al Qaida, and various other radical sects of Islam that have declared war on our way of life. Unless you believe the events of 9/11 were the result of a government conspiracy, which by the way would make you a MORON, there is no reasonable argument you can make against there being a true and dangerous threat that needs to be dealt with. i don't care if there are corporations leaching off the war effort to make money, and i don't care if you don't think our freedom within America's borders is actually at stake. i just want to kill those who would harm my family and friends. it is that simple. Even if this is just a war for profit or to assert America's power, so what? Someone has to be on top and I want it to be us. There's nothing wrong with wishing prosperity for your side.

I am a proud American. i believe that my country allows me to live my life more or less however i want to, and believe me, i have seen what the alternative of that looks like. i also believe that our big scary government does way more than it has to to help complete [expletive deleted]-ups get back on their feet, a stark comparison to places where leaders just line their own pockets with gold while allowing the people who gave them their power and privilage to starve. I have chosen my corner. I back my country, and am proud to defend it against aggressors. Also, if you dare accuse us of being inhumane, or overly aggressive because we have rolled into someone else's country and blown some [expletive deleted] up and shot some people, let me remind you of just how inhumane we COULD be in defending ourselves. Let me remind you that we have a warhead that drops multiple bomblets from the stratosphere which upon impact, would turn all the sand in Iraq to glass, and reduce every living thing there to dust. Do we use it? No. Instead we use the most humane weapon ever devised: the American soldier. We send our bravest (and perhaps admitably craziest) men and women into enemy territory, into harms way, to root out those whom we are after and do our best to leave innocent lives unscathed.

...One last thing...a proposal. i know it has been stated time and time again but i just think it is worthy of reiteration. If you find yourself completely disgusted with the way America is being ran, and how we handle things on the global stage, you can leave. Isn't that amazing? No one will stop you! If you are an anarchist, there are places you can go where there is no government to tell you anything. That's right...you are left solely to your own devices and you can handle the men who show up at your door with AKs in any way that you see fit. Just don't try good old American debate tactics on them because you will most likely end up bound and blind-folded, to have your head chopped off on the internet so your parents can see it. However if you insist on staying here and taking advantage of privilages such as free speach and WIC, keep the counter-productive [expletive deleted] to a minimum while the grown ups figure out how to handle this god-awful mess in the middle east.

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14 comments so far...

I love it! Great piece! This was not just a great loss to his family and friends, but to us as well; even if some of you can not see it! I am proud of him and his mother for sharing this with us!!!

Posted by H Campbell II October 23, 08 12:51 PM

After reading this how can the loons not get it.
Stephen rest in peace.

Posted by Kevin October 24, 08 05:09 PM

I couldn't have said it better myself. A loss to all of America. God Bless Stephen Fortunato and his family.

Posted by Craig October 24, 08 05:19 PM

This guy said it better and more to the point than I ever could. God Bless Stephen for what he gave to this country, everything.

Posted by Jim October 24, 08 06:03 PM

Truly appreciated Stephens comments. Thanks to his Mom for passing this along for others to read and know this man spoke in truth from his heart. He truly gave his life for his country. For you. For me. For all of USA.

Posted by Debbi October 24, 08 08:58 PM

A great American. Rest in peace, my friend.

Posted by GMan2 October 24, 08 10:36 PM

I wish every American would read this. Although I did not know Stephen I am extremely proud of him. God Bless Stephen, his family, friends and fellow soldiers.

Posted by Brian October 24, 08 11:13 PM

The footage of his funeral was touching and incredibly moving. It was nice to see a town with such pride getting together and celebrating the sacrifice of one of its own. But honestly after reading this fallen soldier's message I am utterly disappointed. When he stated "i just want to kill those who would harm my family and friends. it is that simple. Even if this is just a war for profit or to ed assert America's power, so what? Someone has to be on top and I want it to be us." I immediately felt my feelings of sadness and empathy fade away. If those were the reasons for which he fought I dont feel bad for him. We have created this idea of american superiority over everything and have alienated the majority of the world. However flawed his reasoning may have been May this young man's soul move on as he died doing what he thought was his duty an obligation to his nation.

Posted by frank drebin October 25, 08 01:50 AM

I opposed the war in Iraq from the start, and I do find myself completely disgusted with the way America is being ran. But instead of leaving, I'll vote, which is the American way of life, and that's worth fighting (and dying) for.

Posted by Joe October 25, 08 02:24 AM

Stephen gave the ultimate sacrifice while standing up for what he believes in. No matter where you stand in politics or your view of the war, we MUST support our troops. My father faught in Vietnam and was treated miserably when he came home, and I know the pain it caused him. No other soldier should ever be made to feel bad or guilty for defending us.

Posted by Becka October 25, 08 09:48 AM

In rebuttel to Frank Drebins comment about world alienation and supposed American superiority,i have to say,"why should we care"?.
tell me please what other country has put forth the effort to rebuild Europe after both World Wars?,who paid for it?,when other countries have a disaster,who responds first with aid and money?who flew all the children out of different countries to save them during wars and natural disasters?
These are just a few examples of "American superiority"!
Who provides the bulk of support for the U.N.?
Do i care what the world thinks?-HELL NO!

Posted by cherry November 4, 08 06:26 PM

I am extremely saddened to see another American hero die. Unfortunately, the only way to stop losing our heroes is to refuse to face the people and nations that hate us, envy us, and wish to kill us. Imagine if we decided not to stand up and fight during World War II because we might lose our American heroes in battle. Should we fight these people on their homeland or wait until they make their next strike on our homeland. For those who believe we should not fight this enemy, I can only say this, "As an American citizen, I will fight to my death to defend your right to your opinion, regardless of stupid that opinion may be"
Thank you Stephen and rest in peace.

Posted by Phil Cohen November 12, 08 05:07 PM

Stephen Fortunato was a great citizen and soldier, and a fine example of the many troops I've interviewed during two independent military embeds in Iraq. Stephen had the heart of a patriot, plus the passion and commitment of a warrior. Our military has more brave and patriotic troops like Stephen, but what the U.S. lacks are citizens who have the intestinal fortitude and courage to tackle this issue "head-on." This fallen hero loved his country (along with all the ungrateful PC Americans) so much that he volunteered to serve and laid down his life in defense of his ideals and principals. For any naysayers, pay your own way to Iraq or Afghanistan and spend time with our troops like I did. You will not be so complacent when you return after you understand that these radical jihadists have a 100 year plan that they freely publish on their websites that outlines conversion of the entire planet to Islam! These radicals offer no other choice to us "infidels" except "Convert or die!"
I pray that Stephen Fortunato will rest in peace, and that his family will find comfort through the support of loving friends and family, and our Lord.

Posted by Greg Janney November 20, 08 02:23 AM

God Bless your family and your son, who is a hero who gave his life for his country.
Character cannot be judged by words, character can only be judged by action.
Character and honor are what your son stand for, have and will be remembered for. Long live his memory and the brave who defend our country with their very lives.

Posted by Alan Thomas December 5, 08 12:22 AM