Comments on: A Life Lost Out of the Spotlight

While a Nation and World Paid Tribute to a Passing Singer, a Small Town Mourned a Young Soldier Killed in Afghanistan

[uswarrior]

Our mainstream media needs to be charged with negligence. The owners, operators and editors of our major American media are guilty of neglecting their responsibility to be a voice with a coscience for our country. Guilty of not producing stories of our real heroes who are correct role models that our youth can look-up to and emulate. Our real heroes are those Americans who have selflessly given of themselves to improve the lives of others while protecting the lives of fellow Americans. These heroes are not motivated by greed or self-interest and operate with moral courage and ethical integrity. Our real heroes are not entertainment or sports stars, they do not use their time and talents on vain, shallow pursuits in make believe worlds. Our real heroes work to exhaustion in the real world, usually in the dirt, winning challenges for our country on a daily basis. Even this story, "A Life Lost Out of the Spotlight", was published from a motivation of sensationalism, a tear-jerker meant to grab attention and ratings (money) for CBS News. It is a story of sadness and loss for one of our heroes. Where are the stories of the victories our heroes in the military win each day? Where are the stories of courageous, selfless, righteous actions on behalf of others that resulted in victory? I want to see each one of our American Warriors who are awarded the Bronze Star or above in the news with the description of the actions for which they earned the award!

[1speaker]

In the spirit of making the world a better place, I choose to think that you meant CBS was motivated by sensationalism, not me. Even there, your judgment may be harsh. However, I agree totally with your idea that the media should cover acts of heroism. One step at a time. For now, I hope my appearance generated enough feedback to raise even a little bit the amount of coverage our wonderful servicemen and women receive. If so, it was worth it.

Martha Gillis, Brian Bradshaw's aunt

[govtguy]

Words cannot adequately express the shame that we as a nation must feel for the pageantry and excess that was devoted to the death and funeral of Michael Jackson, when in fact, the true and higher story of Brian Bradshaw was right in front of us. We spent millions of taxpayer dollars to idolize entertainment and short-lived musical talent, and almost ignored the higher calling and higher loss of this soldier. There is no excuse for any of the media sources to have wasted so much time and effort on the Jackson story with all its sordid and dirty details and then come around to do a commentary on Bradshaw "after the fact". Bradshaw should have never been treated so defferentially by the public, nor any of the other military injuries and deaths that occur daily. ABC/NBC/CBS/CNN/FOX/etc all should go on bended knees and publically apologies for their unexcusable behavior; and we as a nation need to hold a higher standard for those who "make" the news.

[nylonder]

Yes, but would this generate revenue? That is the real question at issue; and a sicker and sadder one is impossible for me to contemplate.

[mitzichip]

Thank you CBS for airing this wonderful story. Martha thank you for sharing your story. You are so correct! This country is in need of patriotism in a big way.
Every year in Washington DC on Memorial day weekend hundreds of thousands of bikers join Rolling Thunder to parade the streets in honor of our serving soldiers, for the ones that served and for the ones that gave all. There are many thousands of people that line the streets waving American flags, waving at the bikers as they go by slowing their support. My husband and I went last year and there were over four hundred thousand bikers there and the streets were crowded with people. It was a trip we will never forget! Rolling Thunder has done this for over 23 years and you NEVER see on the news!!!!! How sad.
I honor your newphew Brian, Martha. God Bless you family and God Bless our soldiers.

Rita Flaker

[auntsissie]

This loving aunt's remembrance of her hero nephew are much more moving than any Michael Jackson performance, truly. What a tribute to him and to her family. I, for one, am astounded at the lack of attention we pay to those young people who are part of a volunteer military service and who are having to go to foreign lands to fight, whether I believe in that war or not. For those seemingly without a wit of common sense who want to drag politics into this "fray," I consider myself fairly liberal and have no use for the vulgarities described in some of the preceding comments. Michael Jackson was a tormented soul whose life certainly wasn't something that I cared to have reiterated thousands of times in the past two weeks in print or on screen. How does one compare the value of the "moon walk" with the military sacrifice of a young life?

[berrbiss]

oh, yes, there ARE statistics. I only wish I could quote them for you. I may not have this exactly right, but what I remember part of it goes along the lines of something like this.... The percent of members of congress who had served or had children who were serving during WWII was far greater than 50%. But today, it's more like 10%. I'm sure this kind of info is a matter of public record, just not sure how to find it. My husband is a Marine and we've talked about this a lot. The sad reality is that many people join b/c it's their best career option without a college education. Where else can you get that kind of job security with benefits? Albeit for a very low beginning salary. Plus, for those who are college bound, it's a great way to get college paid for....as costs continue to rise....I personally know a sailor (Dentist) and an airman (MD) who both joined to get college paid for and will end their service as soon as they can.

[proudmilvet]

Regardless of your political affiliation & whether you believe we should be in Iraq & Afghanistan or not, we must always support our Troops!! Instead of trying to score political points against one another,why don't we try to recapture some of the wartime spirit & unity we had in World War II.Let's forget about Politics for awhile.Let's forget about what Rush Limbaugh has to say. Let's forget about what any stupid celebrity says or does.Let's for God's sake turn off the Dumb Ass reality shows for awhile.Let us instead on a daily basis nationwide have fund raisers & donation sites for our troops out in the field & for their families here at home.We could have all these things in schools,hospitals,nursing homes,shopping malls,military bases,churches,synogouges,& mosques.We could also have community wide & national telethons.Also nationwide community Blood Drives to ensure that our Military Blood supply does not run low.Why don't we also have a monthly national day of Prayer for our troops.Time to put away for awhile all the things that don't matter & to concentrate on the things that do!

[desertpro]

I served in OIF in OEF in 2006 & 2007. I did a video on you tube called "run pmo" as a tribute to those lost. With loss rates of less than 30 a month now the CIC should be able to make a statement on each and contacting the families also.

[Proudarmymomof2]

As a mom of two US Soldiers, one who is newly deployed in Afghanistan, I wanted to say thank you for sharing your story. My heart was very heavy with emotions as I watched this tribute to this American Hero.

[dowell100]

Immature mediaman6? No, you just don't understand politics. America is polarized because of a lust for money and power. There is so much at stake that neither side will give ground. Labels are important. Even sports teams wear uniforms so you know which side people are on. It is naive to think it should be otherwise.

[desertruby]

Thank you CBS for finally showing what the REAL news is! As the mother of an Army veteran, I was saddened to see the video as it is the loss of yet another young life, but thrilled that someone finally had the guts to show what is important. My heart goes out to the family of Brian Bradshaw and I can only pray that one day they will get through the grief they feel now and go forward. I don't feel I can add anything new to this, as all the previous posts pretty much say it all.

I have added a poem my son had on his Myspace page and I have gotten in many emails. I hope as people read it they will understand the true meaning of sacrifice. And if I never see another gold casket it will be too soon! Makes me sick to think of all the needed items for care packages to our soldiers the cost of that casket could have provided!

Bless our military and their families - for those who do not walk in their shoes will never understand.

Army Life

You stay up for 16 hours

He stays up for days on end.
_________________________

You take a warm shower to help you wake up.

He goes days or weeks without running water.
__________________________

You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.

He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.
__________________________

You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.

He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.
__________________________

You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.

He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.
__________________________

You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you.

He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.
__________________________

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.

He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
_________________________

You complain about how hot it is.

He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.
__________________________

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.

He doesn't get to eat today.
__________________________

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.

He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
__________________________

You go to the mall and get your hair redone.

He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
__________________________

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.

He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.
__________________________

You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.

He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
__________________________

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.

He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.
__________________________

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.

He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet
__________________________

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.

He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.
__________________________

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.

He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.
__________________________

You see only what the media wants you to see.

He sees the broken bodies lying around him.
__________________________

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.

He does exactly what he is told.
__________________________

You stay at home and watch TV.

He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.
__________________________

You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.

He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.
__________________________

You sit there and judge him, saying the world is probably a worse place because of men like him.

If only there were more men like him
___________________________

[ktlynn]

Hey you guys, did you see this link? I found it on the CBS News website:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5153353n&tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.6

[ktlynn]

Hey you guys, did you see this link? I found it on the CBS News website:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5153353n&tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.6

[ntrtst]

Some might say we are "rich" and my son is an enlisted Marine who takes fighting for our country's beliefs seriously. He doesn't want women in our country to be afraid of stoning or beheading because the males in the country have absolute power. Whether it be dictating dress, beliefs, assembly, etc. He wants all that is good in America to be preserved... and that takes defending. Serving our country is the best thing a young man can do ---rich or poor.

[ntrtst]

This was an excellent piece of journalism. CBS was very brave to run the Aunt's comments. Kudos to them. Very moving. I found it very ironic that Michael Jackson's coffin was this gold goddy thing and the heroic young soldier's was a plain wooden cofffin. After listening to the aunt my heart was aching. Thank you to Brian's whole family for their sacrifice. --a marine mom and air force wife

[pdcalgal]

"Absolutely on the mark! This letter says it all. Thank you Isaac! And thank you to all of our service men and women. God Bless America!!!"

YES! On the mark. Why the obsession with Jackson was carried on for so many days, overlooking that there is a war being fought, people are being injured and dying, is completely beyond me. M. Jackson was not a head of state, president, religious leader or anything other than a highly talented entertainer who chose to lead a very strange life. I highly resent the outrageous coverage, even until today, that was accorded him. Foolish. The real heroes are going unnoticed in this manic fervor of accolades to an entertainer. My deepest condolences to the family of young Brian Bradshaw. How sad that we had to learn of this largely ignored tragedy while being subjected to yet more information about a song and dance man with strange habits. Priorities, people! Priorities! Shame on the news media for their behavior over the past week, and beyond. SHAME! Thank you, CBS, for finally showing us what really counts. Much much too late, but at least we now know the name of Brian Bradshaw.

[scdplexiform]

You make a good point. I was in the Navy from 1969-1973. At that time, for a long time, V.Nam was on EVERY night. It was not suppertime TV. Way to much, and to tell you true, our men were not shown in the best of light. Not our falt, we had a job to do. There is no glamor in War. I do think the News Media is doing a much better job this time, and I for one love some of the stories about our Boys. The Kid in his " I Love NY" boxer shorts was great. Only in AMERICA!

[matoakaricketts]

Thank you Martha Gillis and CBS Sunday Morning News for reinforcing what is important in this world. I have been very frustrated that the media and A list celebrities have engaged to this extent in glorifying Michael Jackson. He had the means to truly be a great person and do great things for the world and instead he became very selfish and harmful to children. The way he spent his latter years makes his former accomplishments meaningless to me and I am astonished this isn't true for more American's.

I cried all the way through this segment thinking of your nephew Martha and will pray for you, your family and the thousands of others who have had to experience this tragic experience so that America is safe. From the bottom of my heart I extend my sincere gratitude for what you have sacrificed for our safety. Godspeed and know that this American was profoundly touched by your story well beyond any footage I saw of MJ's coverage. A hero is more important than an icon of any stature in my eyes!

[MissNa]

This story was very touching and completely appropriate. In fact, my husband and I had a very similar discussion this week. Eight soldiers lost in Afghanistan and all the media could talk about was Michael Jackson! As parents of an Army Reservist who has served in Iraq, we are disgusted by our country's ability to simply ignore the fact that we have thousands of soldiers serving overseas. The attitude of many seems to be, "if it doesn't affect me, it simply doesn't matter." May God Bless and keep the family and friends of Lt Bradshaw, and all those who have served or are serving in the Middle East and around the world. Our prayers are with you daily.

[GovernmentControl]

With every fatality obama stands up in church and pumps his fist into the air and shouts God D*mn America!

Obama desecrates americas fallen heroes.

Obama is the enemy.

[proudmilvet]

I wish this nation would stop tearing itself apart with all the partisan name-calling, insults, Liberal labels, Conservative labels,ect. Whatever our political persuasion, we need to come together to fix our nations problems & to help one another.There is not a Liberal or Democratic solution nor is there a Conservative or Republican solution,only an American solution.America:stop listening to the nutcases on both the extreme right & the extreme left.The fact that the Death of this Beloved Soldier went almost completely unoticed by the media has nothing to do with politics.It does however have everything to do with what has become to our American popular culture.Non-stop celebrity worship & gossip.Computers,Blogs,Twitter,Video Games,& Stupid Reality Shows.Wake up America & start concentrating on the Really important things in Life!