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Editor's note: Washington Producer John Rutherford writes a weekly blog on the soldiers and Marines buried at Arlington National Cemetery. There were no public burials this past week, so he is writing instead on a Purple Heart ceremony today at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Small-town America is bleeding for the rest of the country.
A disproportionate number of casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan seem to be from towns most Americans have never heard of, towns like Gladys, Va., Clinton, Utah, and Spring Lake, N.C.
At a ceremony today at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 19 soldiers, most of them from similar small towns, were awarded Purple Hearts. We asked some of them why they joined the Army.
"My dad did three tours in Vietnam, my brother was infantry," Sgt. Blayne Sheets, 21, of Berea, Ohio (pop. 18,970), said. "I just thought I'd do my part, too."
For Spc. Evan McQuistun, 24, of Trenton, Fla. (pop. 1,617), the reason was more practical.
"For a job," he said. "There's not a lot of places to work in Trenton."
"I always liked the FBI, and I noticed that school was always expensive, and by joining the Army, they pay for college and for schooling," he said. (Click here to watch video, learn more about Cameron)
Most soldiers, either from small towns or large cities, probably enlist for similar reasons, so why so many from small-town America?
"There's nothing else to do, sir," Sgt. Sheets said. "We go out and want to have fun. That's all it is."
So the Army's fun?
"I think so, sir. I'm in for life."
Spc. Michael Brown, 24, of Torrington, Conn., (pop. 35,202) said there's not a lot of opportunities in small towns.
"But my decision was to give back to my country," he said. "I felt like I wanted to do something good, and I know I did, and I'm proud of myself for it."
So are we.
Read more from John Rutherford
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A blog sent from an iPhone
It has always been that way. Even when there was a draft during Vietnam it was the minotiry kids and the kids from the farms and small towns who were more likely to be in the service. Middle class kids from the suburbs and upper class kids could easily avoid service by going to college. So when people complain about their taxes being too high or the welfare bums, just remember, you're paying now for someone who did the heavy lifting for you.
Bob Lytle Kansas City Missouri (Sent Jul 2, 2007 11:03:41 AM)
These are such brave and dedicated young men who serve our country so well. We are all so very proud of them and their service to our country. They are admirable and should always be honored. They fight for what our country holds so dear. Freedom! Honor them each and everyday. Especially this upcoming holiday of Fourth of July for they fight for what that stands for in our country. Freedom and Liberty. Peace to all!
Lisa McNeil,Alpharetta,Georgia (Sent Jun 29, 2007 7:37:40 PM)
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