A young man I know from the Upstate who served with the U.S. Marine Corps survived a tour of duty in the Middle East.
He survived being wounded during a firefight in Afghanistan.
What happens when he returns home to the country whose freedom he spent years defending?
He's jumped by a gang of thugs.
I heard this true story while talking with a Sunday school friend this weekend.
The friend is the young ex-Marine's mother.
In the news business, I hear the best of the best, and the worst of the worst, on a near-daily basis. But this story of the Middle East veteran being jumped has upset me more than anything I've heard in a long time.
According to his mother, he was walking home at night in downtown Charleston when three men on the opposite side of the street made a remark to him. He replied. They crossed the street and jumped him. They didn't take his wallet, but they stole his cell phone and other items.
He got away from them after suffering scrapes and bruises.
At last word, the attackers were still at-large.
Folks, you and I know the kind of training our Marines get. I'm willing to bet this young man handed out more pain than he got, especially considering he was outnumbered.
But it angers me that on the streets of an American city, one of our brave servicemen was jumped.
On the streets of Charleston... which is known as "The Holy City."
Until now, one of my favorite places to visit.
No one deserves to be a victim of crime. Everyone deserves to walk safely on the streets of Anytown USA.
That's especially true for the young men and women who have risked their lives to keep evil at bay.
Does this story upset you as much as it does me?
If so, get involved. Join your local neighborhood watch. Keep your eyes open for suspicious activity in your community. Don't hesitate to call the police.
And the next time you see one of our veterans, give them a special word of appreciation.
Some of them, like my young friend, never get to leave the battlefield.
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