By: mwhite on 3/29/07
Most of those around us don't know there is a war going on, until it hits close to home. The military families are the only ones paying the price for this war.

By: titansone on 3/29/07
God Bless Marc and his family. My brother, who lived here, was killed in Vietnam. Still can't drive through the square without looking over at that monument and knowing his name is there. Soliders are patriots and anyone living in this country should recognize this, regardless of your politics.

By: bobdille on 3/30/07
I am saddened by the death of this young man and by the terrible sorrow his family faces from this day forward.

I am also saddened by the deaths of the other 3, 244 and the wounds and the injuries the tens of thousands other Americans suffered, many carrying that burden for the rest of their lives and the thousands more who will be wounded and killed before this ends.

All need not have happened--we faced no dire threat from Iraq.


Republican Senator John McCain said it all:

"Americans are very frustrated, and they have every right to be," McCain said. "We've wasted a lot of our most precious treasure, which is American lives".

By: mamamia on 3/30/07
Shame on you bobdille. A family has lost a precious member. Whether or not we should be in Iraq should not be placed in this family's lap. In case you didn't read the entire article. This young man voluntarily went to do what most wouldn't do for people who can't even be supportive of our them. Be thankful that you are able to write from a home that has electricity after you have taken a hot shower and put on clothes that probably came from a closet of more than one outfit. Be thankful that you have a computer to write on. Be even more thankful that our "disfunctional" government provided you the education that taught you how to write. Every once in a while be a little bit grateful. Most of our young men and women serving overseas do so with pride in their country and themselves. Perhaps my relative should not have served overseas in the past. If, down through America's history, men and women of honor didn't do what they think was good and just you'd be writing this from behind a door with a swastica on it. And I'm sure Hitler would have made sure that you had a great education.
Be proud of your country, but be even prouder that our country produces great men and women like this brave young man.
My heart and prayers go out to this family. I come from a military family (Navy & Army) and I honor your son and am thankful for men like him.

By: bobdille on 3/30/07
mamamia:
This is a newspaper article not a memorial or an obit.


If one cannot comment on an news reporter's article when it appears in the paper then all freedoms are lost.

This man felt (and I do not question his beliefs--more power to him for his convictions) he was fighting to protect the freedoms we have and you dishonor him and his beliefs when you disallow the freedom to comment on an article that is meant to sell newspapers--

By: etech30 on 3/30/07
bobdille-There is a time and a place for everything. We can all agree that freedom of expression is priceless-something I served for in Desert Shield/Storm, but something should also be said for tactfullness.

Yes, as you stated, this is technically a newspaper article, but at it's roots, it's a story, not just an "article meant to sell newspapers". It's about a fallen Marine-his love of country, his integrity, and the family and friends who cherished him and will miss him. It's not literally labeled "An Obituary" or "A Memorial", but then again, it's also not "A Letter to the Editor".

No one is disallowing your freedom to comment-too many have fought and died to have that taken away. But pleas place opinions, comments, and so forth in their proper places and context. This is Staff Sgt. Marcus A. Golczynski's moment. God Bless You.

By: sechappell on 3/30/07
This is not a newspaper article. It is a highly opinionated and political piece about this deceased soldier, written from a perspective that clearly supports the effort in Iraq and paints his sacrifice as a noble one. While I don't dispute military service is noble, as a journalist, I can't endorse this highly subjective, opinionated piece as journalism.

This is an opinion piece, and should be identified as such.

By: acdsrool on 3/30/07
God bless this young man for defending our country, honor, and freedoms. My prayers and thoughts are with the family. etech30, you are so right...this is Staff Sgt. Marcus A. Golczynski's moment.

And to sechappell...please make sure and let me know when and where you are published so I can exercise my right to NOT read your articles!