eder way

Many of my close friends know that I am quite the news junkie. Hours of my day usually involve keeping up with the dozens of blogs I follow while the voices of CNN or CNBC anchors project in the background. Most of my childhood fantasies were filled with visions of reporting the stories of people from around the world. While many children laid in bed listening to the stories of sports legends or science fiction wonders, I would listen to my mother read the autobiography of Walter Cronkite, or Dan Rather. They were the great ones in my mind.

This upbringing instilled in me the belief that it is my duty as an individual to be aware of the things happening in the world. The stories of others, be it the tragedies or accomplishments, I felt I needed to know. Yet, most importantly I wanted to share these stories. I wanted to take something from them and make a difference.

That desire perpetuated in a short stint as a Journalism Major at OSU. In reality, I don’t think I ever even took an actual Journalism class. Several years later I ventured into politics thinking I could have a major impact, before quickly becoming disenfranchised with the red tape and political stagemenship of it all.

During the holiday weekend I made a point to spend several hours watching the media coverage on stories of our soldiers. Especially poignant, was CBS War Corespondent Kimberly Dozier’s interview with Larry King. (I have yet to watch the CBS Flash Point Special) Her point of view, being a nearly killed war corespondent, gave an unique and more civilian perspective on the injuries our soldiers and their families are dealing with.

Tom Foreman’s Reporting,Ambush at the River of Secrets, on CNN’s AC360 also told a powerful story of a group of young men who lost their lives during an ambush in Iraq. Foreman’s reporting took the time to focus on the aftermath of the soldiers deaths back at home.

Scott Pelley’s report, Fathers, Sons And Brothers: The Call on Sunday’s CBS 60 Minutes reporting struck me most strongly. Pelley’s report followed the story of a battalion of Iowa National Guardsmen and their families over two years.

As we start a new week, the war continues, and regardless of opinions on the war one must continue to be aware of the trials facing our soldiers, their families and friends.

I have a follow up to this post that I will be posting tomorrow….