[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 7300-7301]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE WORDS OF MATT ETHERIDGE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 2003

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, at the dawn of this new century, we are 
engaged in an epic struggle, testing whether this nation, dedicated to 
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, can defend freedom 
throughout the world. Many of our nation's brave young men and women 
have answered the call of service and are currently advancing freedom's 
cause.
  Mr. Speaker, at this very moment, Matt Etheridge of Ridgway, Colorado 
is serving his nation honorably in the war to liberate Iraq. Recently, 
Matt sent his mother an email indicating his disappointment as a Navy 
Sailor in the shortsighted demonstrations of anti-war protestors. Below 
is the text of that letter:

       Dear America,
       I am a United States Navy Sailor. I am from Ridgway, 
     Colorado. I have been in the Navy for almost two years. My 
     job here is an Aviation Ordnanceman. My shipmates and I are 
     part of a team that helps to create population control and 
     our profession is landscaping technicians. I have been to 5 
     different countries, seen 3 different oceans, and have sailed 
     three quarters of the way around the world with 5000 men. I 
     have been away from the people that I love for at least 6 
     months. When I want to call home it costs a dollar a minute. 
     Sounds great, huh. You should try the food. Could you handle 
     it? Yet I am still proud that I am here doing this for my 
     family and friends. The people that love to have rights, love 
     to be educated and love to have freedom. Did I mention that I 
     am only 20 years old?
       How many people in America can sit there and say that they 
     have done anything like that and still serve and protect the 
     country? How about only the people that signed on that little 
     dotted line to risk their lives for the things that they 
     truly believe in. Are they scared? What do you think? Of 
     course they are. They have no idea what is going on and how 
     the outcome will be. They have no idea what is going to 
     happen to them or what is going on with their families at 
     home. We are here to keep you safe and help protect all the 
     things that you love so much. Do you (ANTI-WAR PROTESTERS) 
     think that the military is a joke? Are we here just to look 
     good?
       What are the people in America doing? We are the ones here 
     so that you the people do not have to be. I am not talking 
     about everyone. I am talking about the pussy people that have 
     no idea what it is like to be in our shoes and have no 
     respect for us. What if the war was there? What would you do? 
     Would you pick up a gun and protect your families? If we were 
     not the police of the globe we would be taken over by a man 
     that rapes and de-virginizes little innocent 15 year olds. I 
     really do not care what you are all protesting against. Where 
     do you all get your freedom? The Constitution, but we are the 
     ones that enforce it. I guess you do not like to be free.
       Do you people really understand what you have? You have no 
     clue. You all have it so good. I think that you all should 
     see some of what goes on in other places. Kids in other 
     countries running around with guns, people burning our 
     national emblem. What kind of

[[Page 7301]]

     barbaric B.S. is that? What would you do if you lost all of 
     your rights? I bet you are glad that we would die for our 
     country and you so that you do not have to live in fear.
       I would love to see someone go up to one of the men or 
     women in the Marines sitting 5 miles off Iraq and tell him 
     that he is doing wrong. If you all hate America and what is 
     happening, leave, who would really care? That is your 
     ``right.'' If our nation had a draft I bet all you all would 
     tuck tail and run. We sign so that you do not have to.
       Do you even remember what happened to the people of 9-11? 
     Do you even care? Is that just the past and a memory now? 
     Innocent Americans died trying to make a living. What if you 
     were one of them? I guess we should just stop and let go. 
     Yeah right!
       Anti-war protesters are all followers. You should believe 
     in life, liberty and justice for all. Not some rich fancy 
     celebrity just because you like his/her show. I saw a 16 year 
     old female on the news. She said that sixth period was not as 
     important as protesting. How would she even know? Has she 
     been to other countries? She should see what we have. 
     Children all starving and buildings in ruins. Yes we have it 
     in the U.S. but not nearly as bad. You are all lucky. We all 
     are. At least you can go out and get a job if you need to. 
     Hello, welcome to McDonalds, may I help you?
       So here I say: No one really wants to go to war. Sometimes 
     it is the action that we must take. Should we just come home 
     and let the world take us over? Uhhh, NO! Protestors, like 
     yourselves, are the people that get mad if someone cuts a 
     tree down or if we eat a cow. I bet a good number of you 
     drive. STOP! You are polluting the air. I will still drive if 
     I need to be someplace and I like my steak medium-well. Do I 
     care? Yes I do.
       Our President will make the decision. What he says goes. I 
     respect that and I am ready to do whatever he says and so are 
     all the men and women in the Armed Forces. This is why we are 
     here. When he says ``Go'' we are on our way. That is why we 
     are getting a raise and we deserve it. Who cares if you do 
     not like it?
       As an Army man said, ``We are the ones here fighting, so 
     really you do not have a say so!'' I am with him.
       I would like to thank all the people that support us. I 
     know that my Mom is very worried about me but I know she 
     loves and misses me. I love you all so much and I miss you 
     more than anything.
       To all those who oppose and protest, go ahead and do it, 
     whatever! We know who the real men and women are in the 
     U.S.A.!!
       I bleed red, white and blue!!
       You are right ``God blesses everyone.'' America is #1 on my 
     list.
       I wrote this and it is what I feel. I would like it if you 
     passed it on and maybe write back an opinion or something.
       Signed, A disappointed Navy Sailor,
                                             Matthew A. Etheridge.
  Members of this Congress and the American public should sincerely 
consider Matt's words. Those who seek the true meaning of duty, honor, 
and sacrifice will find it in devoted servants like Matt Etheridge. I 
believe his letter to America makes his point very clearly. Mr. 
Speaker, it should never be in doubt that our nation's servicemen and 
women have our support, and remain in our thoughts and prayers.

                          ____________________