Our view: Death and debate
Last week the Iraq war came home to Spokane with the flag-draped casket of Cpl. Darrel J. Morris, former Ferris High School Saxon, Hoopfest player and United States Marine.
Hundreds of people attended his funeral service Saturday morning. Members of the Patriot Guard Riders lined the walkway to the Ferris High School auditorium, each holding an American flag. Their lined, tear-streaked faces contrasted with the smooth skin and solemn eyes of the young Marines who carried Morris’ casket.
It rested on the auditorium stage against a red-curtained backdrop and next to a huge funeral spray of red roses and white lilies. Songs conveying the contrasts of Morris’ life burst into the auditorium, ranging from the Marines’ Hymn to Darryl Worley’s country battle cry, “Have You Forgotten (how it felt that day?)” to “When I’m Gone” from Three Doors Down.
The Rev. Michael “Redhawk” Rice-Sauer described Morris’ difficult early childhood. Darrel Morris’ mother walked out on him and his younger sister when they were only 9 and 6. “He chose love and he looked out for his sister,” the clergyman said.
The crowd watched a video presentation of photos from Morris’ life. Quickly he transformed from a smiling baby to a spirited, if troubled, boy, to a high-energy, life-on-the-edge teen and Marine. Family and friends, teachers, veterans, politicians, journalists and many others watched the scenes of his Spokane boyhood click past as they wiped tears from their eyes.
This week Morris numbered as only one of more than 3,000 American military deaths in Iraq. Yet his funeral made this clear: Each one of these deaths counts as profoundly sad; each one looms as an incomprehensible loss.
Morris decided to enlist after 9/11. As soon as he graduated from high school, he joined the Marines. And Rice-Sauer told this story: After Morris’ first tour of duty in Iraq, his uncle tried to talk him out of returning. Morris asked his uncle, “If you saw a woman getting beat up on the street, would you walk by?”
Morris firmly believed the Iraqi people needed his help.
On Jan. 21 he died in Anbar province when his vehicle was hit by a homemade bomb.
If his MySpace page can be believed, he answered the question, “How do you want to die?” with these words: “As a hero.”
Tragically, this young man was granted that wish. He indeed died a hero. We all should recognize, honor and respect his enormous sacrifice.
We do that not only with our gratitude and support but also with our willingness to engage in our country’s political process. We must never shrink from the duties of democracy or the importance of open discussion and debate.
Part of our deep respect for the men and women of the military must include our firm determination to spare them from fighting aimless wars.