By Matt Abbott
Op/Ed
Catholic Online
John Grasmeier is a 42-year-old Army veteran who served in Operation Desert Storm.
"I was in two different Army units, but the unit I served with in Iraq was the 3/24 INF," said Grasmeier (via e-mail), a traditional Catholic who maintains the Angelqueen.org website.
On a recent thread, Grasmeier posted the following (edited):
"I take my brother veterans one at a time. I've known some really golden guys and some not so golden, so if I 'support our troops,' it comes with certain qualifiers.
"Most of my friends when I was in [the Army] would have died for me if given the chance, as I would have for them. That's support. Then there were the tankers that ran over a dead Iraqi so many times that the only way I was able to identify the pile of mess in the middle of the road was because of the mangled hand that stuck out.
"I certainly don't support them in any way.
"In Iraq, I finally understood part of the reason why the military hierarchy demands such discipline: It's because war is such a wonton, mad and evil venue that they are just trying to have a structure which will hopefully maintain some semblance of order once the insanity begins. They figure if they go in with something truly orderly, trained and polished, what's left after the breakdown will be just a little better than a totally uncontrollable FUBAR.
"This is what happens when you have young men just out of childhood, give them beastly, destructive arms and equipment, and shove them into a lawless environment in which they realize they might not be alive the next day.
"I was able to keep my mind and soul intact -- didn't get the brunt of what some did -- and it still took me a long time to come back down to earth when I got back. There are, however, some things I won't ever forget, and it's an experience that changed my outlook on life profoundly."
Regarding the current conflict in Iraq, Grasmeier told me the following:
"All wars are a culmination of our collective sins. They're the result of an infection of human evils that comes to a head and proves how savage we can be to each other.
"Satan loves each and every one of them and they should never, ever be fought unless every imaginable alternative has been exhausted."
_____________________
(Matt C. Abbott is a Catholic journalist and commentator. He is a columnist for and/or contributor to Catholic Online, TheConservativeVoice.com, RenewAmerica.us, MichNews.com, Opeds.com and Speroforum.com. He is also an occasional contributor to "The Wanderer" Catholic newspaper. He can be reached at mattcabbott@hotmail.com.)
Matt Abbott
http://www.catholic.org
IL, US
Matt Abbott - Author,
mattcabbott@hotmail.com
Catholic, Abbott
A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain
Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul
A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.
Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell
My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz
Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell
Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online
Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online
Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online
State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online
Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online
2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online
Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online
Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online
Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online
Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online
Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online
Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online
Full Circle
Robert Gieb
Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite
Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony
Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell
World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online
Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA
Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online
A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe
Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly
Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard
The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely
Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow
A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow
Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea
Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard
Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol
Edging God Out
Paul Sposite
Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow
George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online
Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell
Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey
Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite
Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol
Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol
Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online
Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online
Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online
Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online
Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online
Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online
Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol
Priestly Identity: Crisis and Renewal (Part 1)
Catholic Online
Al Qaeda...afraid of Benedict's message!
Hugh McNichol
Benedict XVI...calling all to hope...
Hugh McNichol
Perfect Women
Cheryl Dickow
Papal Palm Sunday Address - 'Enough With the Bloodshed'
Catholic Online
Spotlight on China
Catholic Online
Papal Homily for Palm Sunday
Catholic Online
Holy Week...Holy Time!
Hugh McNichol
Mary and Motherhood
Cheryl Dickow
The Void
Paul Sposite
Islamic violence wounds the global community!
Hugh McNichol
The Seven New Deadly Sins!
Hugh McNichol
Catholic benefits include Catholic principles!
Hugh McNichol
Remembering Father Alfred Kunz
Matt C. Abbott
David vs Goliath
Theresa Lisiecki
Happy Lent!
Paul Sposite
Diplomacy...Vatican style!
Hugh McNichol
Sub umbra Petri! (Under the Shadow of Saint Peter)
Hugh McNichol
Cuba...a neonascent Church!
Hugh McNichol
Kids in Conflict
Catholic Online
Wednesday's Audience - On the Writings of St. Augustine
Catholic Online
The Relevance of Lourdes at 150
Catholic Online
Hillary...what would Saint Norbert say!
Hugh McNichol
Lent...questions, answers and involvement!
Hugh McNichol
Mary, Mother of all Humanity, Hic et Nunc!
Hugh McNichol
Catholics...WAKE UP!
Hugh McNichol
Catholic Brotherhood with the People of the Covenant
Hugh McNichol
Have mercy on us O Lord! - Ash Wednesday
Hugh McNichol
Vote early, vote Catholic!
Hugh McNichol
Christ, our global Alpha and Omega!
Hugh McNichol
Being Catholic means...total affirmation of being Catholic!
Hugh McNichol
Seeing the World through New Eyes
Sarah Reinhard
Emulating the Angelic Doctor!
Hugh McNichol
Priests defend, commend Archbishop Raymond Burke
Matt C. Abbott
Saint Paul...a continued example of radical conversion!
Hugh McNichol
A renaissance of faith, reason and global cooperation....
Hugh McNichol
Cardinal Rigali's Homily at Life Vigil
Catholic Online
Angelus: On Christian Unity
Catholic Online
Silencing the Pope
Catholic Online
Papal Homily on Feast of Christ's Baptism
Catholic Online
Education and Gender
Catholic Online
The ignominy of Roe vs. Wade
Hugh McNichol
Papal Message for World Day of the Sick
Catholic Online
Angelus: On Christian Unity
Catholic Online
Benedict XVI's Planned Lecture at La Sapienza
Catholic Online
Pope's Letter to Jesuits' 35th General Congregation
Catholic Online
Fr. Cantalamessa - Behold, the Lamb of God!
Catholic Online
That We May Be One, and Never Lose Heart
Catholic Online
Sowing Hope in Sierra Leone
Catholic Online
God-incidences are the gift of kairos moments
Mary Regina Morrell
St. Augustine's Last Days
Catholic Online
Liturgy: When There's a Medical Emergency
Catholic Online
Marriage and Celibacy: Love's Link
Catholic Online
Developing a Global Catholic Awareness
Hugh McNichol
Rooms in My Father's House
Cheryl Dickow
Resolutions for New Year 2008
Chris Anthony
Keep teaching Holy Father!!!
Hugh McNichol
Dangers of anti-Catholic academic extremism....
Hugh McNichol
The liturgy war
Matt C. Abbott
Some Answers to a Few Common Questions about Vocations
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan
Developing a Global Catholic Awareness
Hugh McNichol
Christmas reflections
Chris Anthony
The Lasting Contribution of The Servant of God Pope John Paul II
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan
No more bobble-head Jesus'!
Hugh McNichol
Pope's Address to Baptist World Alliance
Catholic Online
The Virgin Without Sin
Catholic Online
Cardinal Vingt-Trois on His New Mission
Catholic Online
Archbishop Forte on Religion & Freedom: Part 1
Catholic Online
Wednesday's Audience - On St. Chromatius of Aquileia, Pope, Benedict
Catholic Online
Pope's Address for Consistory of Cardinals
Catholic Online
Trafficking in Lives
Catholic Online
Pope Benedict - On Hope
Catholic Online
The Hidden Costs of Gambling
Catholic Online
A Vital, Life-Giving Message
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan
Christianity's Contribution
Catholic Online
Youth and Fashion's Modest Twist
Catholic Online
Papal Homily at the Consistory
Catholic Online
Love, Marriage and Happy Kids
Catholic Online
The Virtue of Obedience: Our Duty, Our Crown
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan
Vere dignum et justum est!
Hugh McNichol
Pope's Address to Bishops of Kenya
Catholic Online
Democracy in Danger in Venezuela
Catholic Online
The Life-Sapping Human Virus
Catholic Online
'You Alone Are The Lord': A Brief Summary of Catholic Teaching
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan
Sacred Time...Come Lord Jesus!
Hugh McNichol
How Christ-like are we in our lives?
Chris Anthony
A Retreat for Today's Christian Woman
Cheryl Dickow
Pope Benedict - On Trust in God
Catholic Online
God and Caesar Seen From Down Under
Catholic Online
Praying the Luminous Mysteries for our Clergy
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan
Culture's Pressure on Our Girls
Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle
Papal Message on the Common Good
Catholic Online
Wednesday's Audience - St. Jerome on the Bible
Catholic Online
What Every Parent Should Know About 'The Golden Compass'
Catholic Online
Cardinal Poupard on 'Populorum Progressio'
Catholic Online
A Richer Liturgical Translation: Interview With Bishop Roche
Catholic Online
U.S. Bishops' Statement on War in Iraq
Catholic Online
The 'Golden Compass' is no treasure for children
Mary Regina Morrell
Bishop Skylstad's Address to U.S. Bishops' Fall Meeting
Catholic Online
Rewarding Failure
Catholic Online
On St. Martin of Tours
Catholic Online
Undermining Parents
Catholic Online
God...our theological E.F.Hutton!
Hugh McNichol
The Secular Vs. Religion?
Catholic Online
Wednesday's Audience - On St. Jerome
Catholic Online
The Scourge of Poverty
Catholic Online
Sons and Daughters of God...EQUALLY!
Hugh McNichol
On Zacchaeus the Tax Collector
Catholic Online
Why Dads Matter
Catholic Online
Archbishop Chaput on Citizenship and Evangelization
Catholic Online
God Created Man for Life, Not Death
Catholic Online
Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for November
Catholic Online
Imposing 'Tolerance'
Catholic Online
Evangelizing a Digital World
Catholic Online
A Turn to the Fathers: Interview With Father Robert Dodaro
Catholic Online
Aborting Viable Lives
Catholic Online
Women Religious on Human Trafficking
Catholic Online
Chicago law firm fights for civil rights, against death culture
Matt C. Abbott
Fr. Cantalamessa - The Pharisee and the Publican
Catholic Online
Media Benefits and Dangers
Catholic Online
On the Call to Martyrdom
Catholic Online
'You Alone Are The Lord': A Brief Summary of Catholic Teaching
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan
John Crosby on Von Hildebrand's Understanding of the Person
Catholic Online
Wednesday's Audience - On St. Ambrose of Milan
Catholic Online
On Peace, Missions and Justice
Catholic Online
Address of Holy See on Religious Liberty
Catholic Online
Recovering subtle signs of our Catholic Identity!
Hugh McNichol
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin on 'Populorum Progressio'
Catholic Online
Wednesday's Audience - On St. Eusebius of Vercelli
Catholic Online
Christ's Parable About the Need to Pray Always
Catholic Online
Prostitution: Legal Work or Slavery?
Catholic Online
Escaping Poverty: Interview With Archbishop Silvano Tomasi
Catholic Online
Congratulations to His Eminence John Cardinal Foley!
Hugh McNichol
Giving Ourselves Completely to Mary
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan
The 'Courage' to go 'Beyond Gay'
Matt C. Abbott
When Bioethics Turned Secular
Catholic Online
Confession Comeback
Catholic Online
Wednesday's Audience - On Hilary of Poitiers
Catholic Online
Reemergence of Global Catholic Identity!
Hugh McNichol
Father Cantalamessa on the Leap of Faith
Catholic Online
Month of the Rosary
Catholic Online
Why Technology Needs Ethics
Catholic Online
Cardinal Lozano Barragán on Future of Health Care
Catholic Online
How Can Catholics Understand Mary as Co-Redemprix, Mediatrix of All Graces and Advocate?
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan
New Saint Book is Visually Stunning and Filled with Detail
Lisa M. Hendey
Papal Homily in Velletri
Catholic Online
Father Cantalamessa Analyzes Relationship
Catholic Online
Wednesday'a Audience - On St. Cyril of Alexandria
Catholic Online
Holy See Address to U.N. General Assembly
Catholic Online
Homily From Red Mass in Washington
Catholic Online
Pope Remembers Cardinal Van Thuân
Catholic Online
Faith in Politics
Catholic Online
The brave monks of Myanmar
Chris Anthony
On Lazarus and World Hunger
Catholic Online
Fighting the Good Fight: Resisting Temptation
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan
Media frenzy buries U.N. goals
Holy See Statement on Climate Change
Catholic Online
China's Seven Sorrows
Catholic Online
Wednesday's Audience - On Chrysostom's Social Doctrine
Catholic Online
Vatican Message to Muslims for Ramadan
Catholic Online
Father Cantalamessa on the First World and Lazarus
Catholic Online
Angels, God's Messengers in a world of fragile peace and Broken promises!
Hugh McNichol
Memo to Mrs. Clinton: Why Not Baby Bonds When Life Begins?
Deacon Keith Fournier
Reorienting the Mass
Catholic Online
Report Card on Religious Freedom
Catholic Online
On Wealth and Poverty
Catholic Online
A Response to Hitchens' 'God Is Not Great'
Catholic Online
Vetoing children's health care?
The ideal family
Joseph Sinasac
Who does the judging?
Dennis Heaney
Text of the USCCB statement for Respect Life Sunday 2007
The Outstanding Purity of Our Blessed Mother
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan
Facing a door to the future
Dennis Heaney
Who Are the True Progressives?
Deacon Keith Fournier
Petraeus offers a dose of reality
Insurgence
Robert Storr
Papal Address at Vespers
Catholic Online
Papal Coat of Arms Still Relevant
Catholic Online
Benedict XVI's Address at Heiligenkreuz Abbey
Catholic Online
On Loving Jesus as Mary Did
Catholic Online
Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos on 'Summorum Pontificum'
Catholic Online
Wednesday's Audience - On the Trip to Austria
Catholic Online
Father Cantalamessa on the Joy of Fatherhood
Catholic Online
Commentary on Artificial Hydration and Nutrition
Catholic Online
Vatican on Nutrition to Patients in Vegetative State
Catholic Online
Benedict XVI's Q-and-A Session With Youth in Loreto
Catholic Online
Take a Risk, Follow Your Call: the challenge of a lifetime!
Sisters of Bon Secours
Lessons from a tragedy
Dennis Heaney
Shopping blues
Joseph Sinasac
Marriage Breakdown: Expensive and Divisive
Catholic Online
Wednesday'a Audience - Gregory of Nyssa on Perfection
Catholic Online
