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

[ebeisner68]

Amen - I have been very vocal with everyone that I come in contact with about this MJ joke. Yes, he had good music but he was a sick perverted individual. We have selfless Men & Women that raise their hands every day to go fight a war so we can remain free and as safe as possible.

I was so offended on the 4th of July when many people just treated it like another day. No one really spoke about the significance of the day. Our freedom and the sacrifice that our men and women are giving each and every day for the last 8 years to keep us free.

The media needs to wake up and realize that these celebrities are a fleeting thing and that the loss of our men and women in the armed forces are in the hearts and memories of grieving families throughout the US FOREVER!!!!!!! Their sacrifice needs to continually acknowledged. There is way too much negative press about the war that really degrades the sacrifice that is being given on a daily basis.

[SuzieKiddoo]

So well said, Issac! You have a gift.

[SuzieKiddoo]

As I watched this video and felt so sad for the family and so thankful that Brian's aunt was brave enough to tell his story, I also thought of our son-in-law who will be leaving for Afganistan in a few months. He will leave behind a wife, a 3 year old and new-born. Every day I pray he will return to his family and he hasn't even left yet.
T am grateful for every serviceperson and am so sorry for Brian and the many, many other families who have suffered such terrible losses.
I hate this war.

[ubrew12]

We should mourn all the soldiers lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, the lack of response to this soldiers death owes not a little to the previous administrations policy of preventing Americans from mourning over soldiers deaths, as a public policy. We didn't view them coming home in caskets, we didn't see them interned in their final resting place, nothing.

THAT is not a liberal bias by the media. THAT is a government policy by a government that wants us thinking about the dead and wounded as numbers only (if at all, and the Iraqi dead and suffering as even less than that).

Take the human factor out of the equation, and war becomes a numbers game. And, once you train the public and media to accept that, its a little confusing to hear so many people who supported our actions in Iraq and Afghanistan complain that we aren't shedding enough tears over the fallen.

I ask only: make up your mind. And quit blaming the lack of coverage on Jackson. We were asked not to look. We complied.

[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!

[scdplexiform]

At last! Real News!! News that matters!!!

[paddyhayes]

Welcome to Obamaworld?

I suppose that Obama personally made sure that Jacko died just at the right time, that the news media couldn't report on actual news for two weeks . . .

I seem to remember a President who wouldn't allow the coffins to be photographed...

[marine1310]

I posted earlier on this thread, but wanted to add a comment. I have sent the link to this story to a very large mailing list today. Hopefully something this important will gather momentum and be passed among our citizens as quickly and easily as some of that other nonsense that circulates. For those of you who have never served, I recently heard someone say something about military service that, in all my years, I had not heard.

"It is said that a true characteristic of humanity is the willingness to serve others. When we signed up for military service, we were promised nothing. On the other hand, we had to promise to give everything."

Brian Bradshaw has fulfilled his promise. The media of this nation has not.

Doug Pettit
Lt Col USMC(Ret)

[ELHS1084]

I also sent the link to a large email list yesterday and added it as a posting to my Facebook account. Sadly I have only received two replies today, one thanking me for sending it, the other complaining that she couldn't open the link, which I immediately corrected by sending her the new direct link that CBS finally added. I also hope that this video editorial gets passed time and time again not only in this country but around the world.

[ELHS1084]

I, too, watched this and cried for the loss of a brave, young person and for his parents, family and friends. I did not cry when watching Michael Jackson's funeral, even for his young children and his family. Why the difference? Jackson was intelligent enough to write and perform great music but he stupidly abused his body with drugs. He knew the dangers and still did it knowing that he could die. This young soldier was in the military because he loved his country, wanted to make something with his life and was doing his job. He, too, knew the dangers and still did it knowing he could die. That's the difference.

[marine1310]

berrbiss - please extend our wishes for a safe return to your husband and let his sons know how proud this country is of him...at least those of us who know about such things. Some of us haven't forgotten what it takes to give us the freedoms we have.

Semper Fidelis,
Doug Pettit
LtCol USMC(Ret)
And damn proud of it!

[saddenedinoregon]

I cried again seeing the pain of the family. However, my sadness emanates from an awareness of all the people, not only Americans, who suffer in war. In comparison to our government's agenda, the soldiers and civilians are expendable. They are pawns in the military and political game. The tragedy is that our country cannot rise above using war as a solution for conflict and greed.

[mediaman6]

In reference to "IThoughtItWasFunnyNOPE" comment, I can never understand how people boil down an issue to it being conservative or liberal. It is such an immmature way to look at life. I think people would be more open to your opinion, just lose the labels.

[hadtocomment]

Our gratitude to CBS Sunday Morning for once again enlightening our week by another heartfelt story. If not for you, none of us would know about the wonderful young man, Brian Bradshaw. His Aunt Martha Gillis also deserves our thanks for sharing a very painful story to honor her nephew. My husband and I wept as we listened to this story of another US HERO who put his own life on the line for the sake of peace. We send our sincere heartfelt gratitude and sympathy to his family. As long as there are memories, love lives on.

In peace and faith,
Gary & Cynthia

[testvet]

To I thought it was funny nope yup you need a "real American" like Caribous barbie and her seccesionist husband in the White House maybe she could resign 2 and half years into being President because it wasn't "fun" anymore we need "real" americans like that to lead us they really know how to "cut and run"

[kycats78]

I was amazed that CBS would choose to show such a moving and powerful tribute to a fallen soldier. I would love to see this on the evening news. My heart broke as I watched. I was disheartened by the amount of coverage allotted to MJ. When people interviewed stated that they have lost part of their childhood when MJ died, all I could feel was pity. It is sad that they rest their childhood on a singer. What is truly tragic is that Brian lost the rest of his childhood and adulthood.I will pray for Brian's family.

[ashville4]

Issac,
I felt that finally Martha has hit the REAL HEART of America and not the fake world of entertainment that I have viewed these past two weeks. I am SO proud of you and your fellow soldiers...that I had to get on the computer today and make sure that YOU know that I am THANKFUL for everything you are doing for me and US...too many are living in glass houses and not the REAL WORLD.

[ashville4]

This morning it was so refreshing to see a news worthy story ...and not about "Pop Culture" figures that have not made a difference in my life. I truly am so proud of our men and women in our miltary that are out there making my world a safer one. All networks should be doing this type of news of our miltary, their lives, and fallen HEROES instead of focusing these past two weeks on a person that should not be getting airtime..my viewing time! Honoring the Brians of this war is what we should be doing! Martha, I wanted to make sure that you knew how you touch my life...what AM I doing for the soldiers??? today, MORE!

[yarabie]

Thank you news people for posting something regarding a real hero that is worth reading and seeing. His family should be very proud. Thank you for sharing him.

[IThoughtItWasFunnyNOPE]

I agree JunieMoonie...

This fourth of July speech is the most pathetic piece of campaign KRAP I have ever heard...the same clap trap about health, education, and the economy, ALL of which he's propings the most insane legislation...

To give a fourth of July speech and not recognize or speak to this FREE COUNTRY, and the people who have fought to keep our FREEDOM and to praise those who are fighting and to honor the ones he just sent to Afghanistan with the most insane orders I've ever heard in my life from a commander in chief...

This sorry pathological liar needs to step down and let a real American who knows what The Fourth of July means to lead us...

NO MORE KRAP DODDLE FOREIGNERS WITH IDENTITY CRISES ALLOWED IN OUR WHITE HOUSE!

[ramos1129]

I live where I chose...

I work where I chose....

I vote for whom I chose...

I speak whatever language I want, when I want....

I make all of my own decisions...........

And so much more........

For all of that, I owe our veterans more than I can express.....

[ramos1129]

Even though I do not fully agree, or really understand why we are in Afrans, Brian died a hero in the service of his country. I cannot think of a nobler cause.

Jackson, on the other hand, never served in the military nor, to my knowledge, aside from paying taxes and working as an entertainer, did anything really constructive for his country. He did do some good deeds like honor the Make A Wish Foundation request and contributed to charity, but he never came close to what Brian did. Jackson was a victim of his own bad decisions.

To me, Brian by far deserves to be honored by his country than Jackson. It is a sad commentary on our culture that the reverse dominates.