Hero Index

It's a little strange seeing a piece in the New York Times lamenting that lack of War on Terror heroes when even though author Damien Cave is able to name some, the New York Times itself seems ignorant of them. The Grey Lady seems particularly adept at being able to name families who hate Bush because they have lost a son or daughter in the fighting, but not war heroes.

Mr Cave, blames the military.

ONE soldier fought off scores of elite Iraqi troops in a fierce defense of his outnumbered Army unit, saving dozens of American lives before he himself was killed. Another soldier helped lead a team that killed 27 insurgents who had ambushed her convoy. And then there was the marine who, after being shot, managed to tuck an enemy grenade under his stomach to save the men in his unit, dying in the process.

Their names are Sgt. First Class Paul R. Smith, Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester and Sgt. Rafael Peralta. If you have never heard of them, even in a week when more than 20 marines were killed in Iraq by insurgents, that might be because the military, the White House and the culture at large have not publicized their actions with the zeal that was lavished on the heroes of World War I and World War II.

Perhaps "the culture at large" refers to the New York Times?

The military, however, is doing it's part. The Army published the story and here's Defend America's story about Sgt Hester. It's audio and you can hear the soldiers including Sgt Hester tell the story in their own, professional voices. The Army Times (subscription required) managed to pick up the story, but not the New York Times. If I could find it, you would expect that the professional reporters at the New York Times could find it.

Maybe they did, and just buried it.

But disgruntled parents can get their stories told.

How many stories did the Army publish about Medal of Honor winner Sgt. First Class Paul R. Smith? Look here. How many stories did the Marines carry about Sgt. Rafael Peralta? Look Here.

But what about the White House? Are they ignoring the Heroes? No.

Before the battle of Fallujah, Iraq, Peralta wrote to his 14-year-old brother. "We are going to defeat the insurgents. Be proud of me. I'm going to make history and do something that I always wanted to do."

A few days later, Bush said, "Sgt. Peralta gave his life to save his fellow Marines."

Did the New York Times carry the story?

And what about the "culture at large" comment? Well more and more the blogosphere is a component of "the culture at large". And what do you know? Blogs, most especially MilBlogs carried these stories. And a few more Mr Cave didn't mention.

Blackfive carried the story of Sgt Hester here and here. Mudville Gazette here.

Blackfive covered the story of Sgt. First Class Paul R. Smith here. Mudville Gazette here.

Blackfive covered the story of Rafael Peralta here. Mudville Gazette here.

If the New York Times wanted to profile heroes, just monitoring these two sites would help them. Hell, they wouldn't even have to leave the office or go to Iraq.

But it's more than just these two. The could just use google and type "blog Rafael Peralta" for instance or "blog Leigh Ann Hester". A New York Times reporter could note the plethora of people who didn't miss these stories for future reference. It's the Hero Index.

But who here believes that the New York Times is even interested in these stories? A show of hands please.

Hands? Anyone?

So it seems I've easily been able to dismiss the idea that the military is to blame for the lack of heores. Nor is the White House responsible. And it seems that "the culture at large" is aware.

So that just leaves the New York Times and the Main Stream Media folks who manage to miss the story.

And all those who rely on them for their heroes.