*more in expanded section*
SAM JONES sam@newnan.com
EDITOR, TIMES-HERALD
NEWNAN GA
This past week, you, as I understand it, decided that three SoundOffs should be published that were in regard to the front page article your paper printed after your paper sought me out for an interview upon your learning of the independent action, through the efforts of two State Senators to have the Georgia Senate name two roads after Mike Stokely (Times-Herald article March 6, 2006). Certainly, that article, along with the many you sought our family out for after Mike died were flattering articles and mostly well received. In all fairness, however, I also applaud your exercise of media free speech, even when it is not too pleasing to our family and personally attacks the Stokely’s for merely accepting the offer of our State Officials. Soundoff is a vehicle you use to give those who decline to sign their name, for whatever reason, an opportunity to "soundoff", including the personal attacks on the Stokely’s regarding the road naming proposals by the State. Such free speech is bought and paid for with the price of our military service personnel - a long lineage of dedicated service men and women who are our defenders of freedom, and most certainly, the first and foremost defender of free speech. Many in that lineage live to see the fruits of their service; some come home badly injured, even maimed. Some come home physically fit, but so haunted, they are at best, a shell of their former selves. Others are missing in action - never to be returned to their families, fate unknown. Others killed in action, but their bodies never recovered, leaving countless families wondering what happened. And, a significant number - the most visible these days - come home to their families in flag draped caskets. No matter how each served, each military person has to be considered heroes to whom we all - especially your paper - owe the right of free speech.
That being said, please allow me to address the free speech comments you saw worthwhile to print on your editorial page / SoundOff this past week. First, the comment on Saturday, March 11 - "my son serves in Afghanistan, if he doesn't make it back, will they name a road after him? Probably not." I can only respond that ever since Mike joined the Georgia National Guard as a Junior in high school and then went to boot camp that summer, advanced training after he graduated high school, and five plus years of service culminating with his service in Iraq, I thought of so many things. Such things as "I love my son; I miss him; I want him safe; does he have enough food; they handle live ammunition, sleep outside in the woods, on the ground; who is leading my son; who is serving with my son; it is dangerous in Iraq; what if they capture him and cut his head off while he is still alive, tape it for the world to see; what if they ambush his group, and drag his wounded or dead body around while others jump and dance, all, again on video for the world to see; it is hot in Iraq; is he alright, he has already had a lot of close calls; is he still alive when I wake up, go to bed, or eating lunch; is that call from him; is he one of those unnamed soldiers killed and we just haven't heard yet; where do they fly badly wounded soldiers; I need to keep my passport, credit card, cash, one change of clothes and plane schedules ready to go to Landstuhl in Germany on a moments notice; keep the car full of gas so you can get to the airport without delay; keep the cell phone charged, and on at all times; grab the cell phone every time it rings or vibrates; remember to tell the Judge in your courtroom "if I run out suddenly, it is to grab a call from my son" remember to give your cell phone to your daughter and put it on vibrate so if Mike calls while you are arguing an important case in front of the Georgia Supreme Court, she can slip out and talk to him while you think of him as you present your three year long court case; put the phone on the charger by the shower so you can grab it, dripping wet if need be; what will I do and say if he gets killed; how will I break the news to my family - especially his loving brother and 13 year old sister; how will our family go on.... All of these thoughts, and a million more, night, day, seven days a week, in church, in court, eating, sleeping, where ever, whenever were on my mind. But, never, never, not even a fleeting second did I think "will they name a road after him?" I thought what I thought and prayed - that is how I spent my time. It is for others, including this particular SoundOff writer to think what they think. But, as one thinks in their heart, eventually so speaks their tongue. Certainly, I don't think I am a preacher, by a long shot, so please excuse my rather poor paraphrasing of what I think a particular Bible verse says.
Now, as to the other two unsigned free speech Soundoffs printed Monday, March12. The gists of both of these Soundoffs are that the Stokely’s are being selfish for agreeing to the State's request to name a road after Mike - actually they requested two roads. Quite honestly, naming roads after anyone, whether it be a preacher, country music star, local politician, civil rights leader, former presidents, deer, dogs, or other creatures just has never been a part of my thought process. Where I come from, we don't even go for the "Junior" thing by naming a kid exactly after ourselves. Mike Stokely didn't concern himself with civilian affairs (as the Bible commands soldiers not to do). We - and Mike Stokely - left it our civilian leaders to decide such things as what road, bridge, overpass, park bench, building, park, produce pavilion, or whatever gets named, or not, and for whom, and what good reason, or not. We, as family, when approached after Mike's death, did agree to think about it, and, with the statement "Mike didn't do what he did to get something named after him" having been first said by me, we agreed to the State's proposal. We were humbled and appreciative of the thought to name a road for Mike - we didn't ask for it, we didn't push it - we just said o.k. and thank you.
Having said that, let me tell you about the things that Mike Stokely concerned himself with putting his name on. First, he wanted his name on what we Christians call the "Lamb's Book of Life". Then before he could even get his name on a driver's license he was already thinking about putting his name on a dog tag. As a 17 year old, he put his name on enlistment papers and went to boot camp while other rising seniors put their names on hotel rooms in Panama City, Daytona, and other vacation get-aways. Then, a few years later, before he went to Iraq, Mike couldn't wait to put his name on a marriage license with his high school sweetheart, Niki Yancey - his bride just ten days before he left for Iraq and three months before he died in Iraq. Mike also wanted his name on birth certificates of the children he wanted with Niki, and the deed to a house for which they could call home, even if it came with a mortgage. Mike also wanted his name on change of beneficiary forms so he could. take care of his wife and give her financial security like she had never known, and most likely would not have known had he lived. Mike made sure his name was on his pay checks, including the last one I received at my home for his one day of service on August 16, 2005, before he was terminated from the U.S. Army payroll - $62.59 base pay, $3.33 hardship duty pay, 8.91 subsistence allowance, 31.90 off base housing for his his wife Niki, and last but not least, allotment allowance for Niki - 8.33 - grand total of $115.08, tax free of course. Actually, he didn't even though he only worked 2 hours and 20 minutes on August 16, 2006, he still got the whole day's pay - and it was selfishly accepted and deposited into his bank account for his wife's benefit. There are other things Mike Stokely was willing for his name to go on, if need be as a sacrifice in the service of his country and the cause of freedom - Official Notice of Casualty, military autopsy report, and death certificate. These are the
things that Mike Stokely thought his name ought to be on, and if necessary should be on - as a man's heart is, so will speak his tongue and actions.
As for the rest of the Stokely family, the only thing we ever thought about and wanted to see Mike Stokely's name on was a uniform like he was wearing when we last saw him on May 14, 2005 as he was Iraq bound. We selfishly wanted, however, to see that name on a uniform he would be wearing when he was due to return home with his fellow soldiers early to mid May, 2006, maybe even in time to see the younger brother that he loved graduate from high school the end of May. And, we wanted to put Mike's name (and Niki) on an airline ticket and room in Hawaii as we had planned to take a special family trip - with the rest of us having a separate room and leaving Mike and Niki plenty of private time for the honeymoon they never had, but with time to celebrate his brother's graduation, including some trophy deep sea fishing, and being with me and the woman he called his "other mom" as we celebrated the 20th anniversary of our the marriage wherein he served as ring bearer, and comically interrupted the ceremony with an exclaimed in that little boy four year old voice "dad...we got shoes just alike"..
But for those who believe the road naming proposed by others, and acceptance of that offer is a selfish act by the Stokely’s - please take an unselfish moment and call 404-656-2000. That is the State of Georgia information line and the citizen can easily get connected to their State Representative, State Senator, the Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, and the Governor. With a call, the citizen who so desires, can exercise their free speech and demand that the road not be named for SGT Mike Stokely, or at the very least that the Governor not sign the Resolution. Even better, if computer savvy, just do a goggle search for Georgia state government and obtain their email addresses and send them something in writing.
Now, having told you this, I finally close by coming clean about something else that is more costly than the proposed road naming, and something that, in light of recent Soundoff comments, would have to be viewed as even more selfish of the Stokely family. Such involves the Stokely family taking advantage of available Federal Funds through the Veterans Affairs Department to put on a ceremony and commemorate a bronze plaque set in polished stone at a site located on property we have permission to use, along with other citizens, but that is owned and controlled by Corinth Christian Church. . . Please double click on the attachment below, (ed note: Picture below) for this picture is the best evidence of just how selfish Mike Stokely was. Such, might also give some further indication of how selfish the Stokely family will be as we claim this small four wide, seven long, and six foot deep plot of ground, marked by the bronze plaque shown in the photo.
Sincerely,
Robert StokelyFather of SGT Mike Stokely, KIA Iraq 16 Aug 05 IED a man more than I'll ever be - a man who believed in God Family Duty Honor Country, and the priorities and overlap thereof and a man who knew the priorities of life, liberty, and security of the country he loved, and preserving such for all, stranger and loved one alike.
No comments:
Post a Comment