Dear Terrorists,
I am a Navy Aviator. I was born and raised in a small town in New England. I come from a family of five. I was raised in a middle class home and taught my values by my mother and father.
My dad worked a series of jobs in finance and my mom took care of us kids. We were not an overly religious family but attended church most Sundays. It was a nice small Episcopal Church. I have a brother and sister and I am the youngest in my family. I was the first in many generations to attend college.
I have flown Naval aircraft for 16 years. For me the flying was never a lifelong dream or a "calling," it just happened. I needed a job and I liked the challenge. I continue to do it today because I feel it is important to give back to a nation which has given so much to me. I do it because, although I will never be rich, my family will be comfortable. I do it because many of my friends have left for the airlines and someone has to do it.
My government has spent millions
to train me to fly these multi-million dollar aircraft. I make about 70,000
dollars a year and after 20 years will be offered a pension. I like baseball
but think the players make too much money. I am in awe of firemen and policemen
and what they do each day for my community, and, like teachers, they just don't
get paid enough.
I respect my elders and always
use sir or ma'am when addressing a stranger. I'm not sure about kids these days
but I think that's normal for every generation. I voted for George Bush because
I like him. I think I made a pretty good choice. I tell you all this because
when I come for you, I want you to know me. I won't be hiding behind a woman
or a child. I won't be disguised or pretending to be something I am not. I will
be in a US issue flight suit. I will be wearing standard US issue flight gear,
and I will be flying a Navy aircraft clearly marked as a US warplane. I wish
we could meet up close in a small room where I could wrap my hands around your
throat and slowly squeeze the life out of you, but unfortunately, you're hiding
in a hole in the ground, so we will have to do this a different way.
I want you to know also that I am very good at
what I do. I can put a 2,000 lb weapon through a window from 10,000 feet up.
I generally only fly at night, so you may want to start sleeping during the
day. I am not eager to die for my country but I am willing to sacrifice my life
to protect it from animals like you.
I will do everything in my power to ensure
no civilians are hurt as I take aim at you.
My countrymen are a forgiving
bunch. Many are already forgetting what you did on Sept 11th. But I will not
forget, and my President will not forget.
I am coming. I
hope you now know me a little bit better. See you soon...sleep tight.
Signed,
A US Navy Pilot