Mr. Stein, thank you for your praise. I rarely will read the newspaper or watch the news on the TV because I also do not care what some actor or athlete is doing, has done or is complaining about. I equally do not want to hear one of our own politicians or hopefuls talk about how wrong this war on terror is. Why do they not understand that the more they are in the news not supporting us in our efforts, the more the terrorists feel that they are winning so they [the terrorists] plant more bombs. Which in turn means more lives are lost. As I write this I am sitting on a FOB (Forward Operating Base) in Afghanistan praying that my youngest son, who is also an Infantryman, makes it back from his tour in Iraq without any harm. So that we can both watch his brother leave for his second tour. Mr. Stein, my true STAR is my wife who is able to keep it all together back home. It is because of her, my children, the soldiers I serve with, and my family and friends back home that I put on this uniform every day. Thank you Mr. Stein for your support.
—Donnie, MSG (Master Sergeant) U.S. Army Infantry (December 29, 2007)
I just completed your new book, The Real Stars. My wife was nice enough to give it to me as a Christmas gift. I am an Army veteran, my father Navy, grandfathers Army and Marine Corps. I do not usually read such books and seldom watch "war movies." Like most veterans, I am a little uncomfortable with most that is said and done on our behalf. Not that I am not grateful, just a little embarrassed.
What set your book apart for me was your relentless comparison to what our culture seems to consider true heroism. "Choosing that tough part", as you described about Nicolas Cage. Most veterans are simple people. We see things as pretty much good vs. evil. We try and raise our kids protected from the seemingly unhealthy dose of negative influences from your current home town, Hollywood.
I am not passing judgment on their unwillingness to wear under garments, or their fascination with driving under the influence. I am merely concerned that far too many of our fellow citizens see value in the typical Hollywood train wreck.
I still have many friends on active duty. Many have served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, my brother-in-law included. To this day, I carry my Ranger Tab in my wallet. It was awarded to me on Oct 17, 1989. For me it symbolizes a way of life, a road less traveled, serving something bigger than yourself. As I go from meeting to meeting solving an endless list of trivial business issues, I know what really matters. I have lived it. Most will never understand it, that is why most veterans are reluctant to speak about their experiences. "You just had to be there..."
I never experienced the type of relationship with my father you had. To this day, we find it hard to communicate. I was the first in my family to graduate from high school. Then off to college. I accepted an Army ROTC scholarship and then a commission upon graduation. I will never forget what my father said. "Why the hell would anyone spend 4 years in college to go in the damn Army?'' The answer is as simple today as it was then. I did it because I felt I had to. It was a part of my life's journey that few today will ever experience. It is a crash course in leadership, compassion, and doing what is right when no one is looking regardless of the risks to self.
So, thank you Mr. Stein. I enjoyed the book, but more importantly, I appreciate the message. I am going to buy many copies and make sure that those I feel need a little reminder of what is important get a dose. Keep up the great work. I have always enjoyed listening to your comments. God bless you and your family in this holiday season.
Ben, a friend forwarded me your commentary from last Sunday's CBS News program. Your perspective on America is on target so far as I am concerned. I really appreciate your insight. It's one thing to cling to conservative thought. It is something else to be able to back up what you think with facts. The facts you shared are powerful.
Our son just returned from Iraq, so this book hit home on a special note. Too many people put far too much into what the "stars" tell us, and we don't put enough effort into saying how we really feel. I, for one, could care less what they have to say when they have to say it; EXCEPT, for Ben Stein who said exactly what he felt and doesn't care who hears it! Mr. Stein, anytime, anywhere I have your "6" (that's back in civilian) just call and I'll be there. AIRBORNE!
I know a few real heroes. My neighbors are heroes, my friends are heroes and I am lucky enough to call my husband, a United States Marine, a real hero. He sits near me as I write this, completely unaware that I just called him that, for if he knew, he would deny it. To my neighbor, to my friends and to my husband they are just ordinary people doing their jobs and doing what is right. Ben Stein portrayed them in his essays for what they really are: heroes. A hero is not some over paid actor or over paid football "star", a hero is the man who walks away from his newborn baby to prepare to go to war. A hero is the woman who hugs her children at the security check point at the airport promising them she'll be back for Christmas, but never makes it. A hero is my husband who left for boot camp not knowing he was going to be a father. A hero is my husband who arrived for an ultrasound wearing his uniform, standing tall and left with his hat in his hands and tears down his face. A hero is my husband—a man who married me 3 days for Christmas, left the day after and then left me standing in the airport while he went to war. We had been married for 3 months. A hero is my husband—a United States Marine who every day for the past 2 1/2 years has woken up, not knowing what is in store for him or his family back home, and fought and risked his life for people he doesn't know, for people he does know, for people he will never meet, for people who hate him, for people who spit on him when they find out what he does, and even for people like Rosie O'Donnell who compare him to terrorists. We as Americans have these men and women (more like kids half of them—my husband is 20 years old) to thank for the way we live our lives and for the freedoms that we take for granted each and every day of our lives. Ben Stein's book was a beautiful book and I just want to say that he hit it right on and I was very pleased with the things that were said about American troops. It's not every day that I read something that good to hear about my husband and his comrades (my true family) and it was truly appreciated. It means more to me than I can explain to know that by someone out there, my husband and what he does for a living is really appreciated. And by appreciated I don't mean putting a sticker on my SUV, I mean truly appreciated. With that being said, it means that much more to the men and women in uniform—and for that, as a Marine Corps. wife, I cannot thank Ben Stein enough.
I enjoyed Mr. Stein book, his comments about Mosul, Iraq brings back memories to me. I was deployed in country (Mosul) for 10 months and was getting ready to go on R&R when I heard the huge explosion. A suicide bomber just killed himself up in the DFAC (Mess Hall) I was at the airfield when Stryker vehicles and aircraft were bring in wounded soldiers. My Cdr and I were waiting for our plane to send us home for R&R. We saw the soldiers coming in wounded and dead. We began looking for soldiers from our unit and helping the people unload the wounded. Christmas will always bring back those memories now. I'm currently in Kosovo just getting over an election here and waiting on the decision for independence here. I've seen three elections all together in Bosnia 1996, Iraq 2005, and Kosovo. I hope we Americans use our right and vote, we take if for granted and seeing elections for the first time in these countries, I just wish that we Americans remembered what it took for us to have the right to vote and use this privilege, Remember freedom isn't free
I read Ben Stein's Real Stars. It was spot on. I don't watch TV or attend movies. I am an outdoorsman, southern redneck, Jew, and I am a University professor. I could not care less what Hollywood does or does not do. I was spit on when traveling in uniform in 1970. I have been to Shiloh. Oohrah, Ben! Drive on.
