In July 2003, Army Specialist Richard Davis returned from the invasion on Iraq and disappeared almost immediately. Months later, his skeletal remains were found in a small patch of Georgia woods. Four members of his own platoon were arrested for his murder. Stabbed in excess of 100 times and set on fire, his family was astounded at the lack of information made available to them. There were times when his father could not tell who the military was standing up for: his dead son, or the soldiers who slaughtered him.
Writing Murder In Baker Company was grueling. There were nights when the images and words I was hearing would shake me out of the most exhausted sleep. It still happens today. The years of dissecting the last moments of Richard Davis's life; years of trying to understand and put into words the reasons why this murder had happened, was torment at best. People suggested I walk away from it. But how could I? A suffering of this magnitude begs to be exposed and to walk away from it was simply not in me.
If I had, I knew it would follow me for the rest of my life.
So imagine my dismay when I learned that someone actually suggested my book burn. "Kindling for my backyard fire pit" were the words of a blogger, while admitting that he had never read the book and did not know what it involved. For a writer there is nothing worse than the notion of having your words -- words that took years to research and put together -- going up in flames. It felt like someone had suggested I burn the American flag and I suddenly knew what writers in a communist nation must feel as they hide in basements writing about the injustices that exist in their world.
However, there was one particular comment made by the blogger that reflected a common assumption. He suggested that since investigators arrested the murderers, then that should be the end of it. In other words, the problem is solved right? Wrong. He really couldn't be more wrong.
Many people believe criminal investigations handled by the military are always top-notch and above reproach. However, there is a whole culture of patriotic military families who will vehemently disagree with that opinion.
When I heard of Richard's horrifying murder, my first thought was "How could this have happened? Soldiers don't do this to one another!" For the most part, that is true. Honorable American soldiers stand by their brothers in arms for a lifetime. Even when the battles are over and they return to their normal routines, they are forever bonded by war experiences that nobody else can understand or fathom, unless they were there.
Nevertheless, this tragedy did indeed occur and unfortunately, for all of us, it is not an isolated incident. I have met many families like the Davis's; families who lost a loved one to a non-combat military death and feel thrown away by the system their sons, daughters or spouses were sacrificed to. Not all of the deceased soldiers were murdered. "Non-combat death" is a catch all phrase used to describe any death not occurring on a battlefield. Some soldiers commit suicide, some accidentally overdose on the wide variety of prescription meds given to them for anxiety and depression. Still for others, the circumstances surrounding their deaths are so murky, nobody knows anything except the fact that they are dead. But are these deaths inevitable? After all, in the civilian world people die under the very same circumstances every day, so maybe they are. However, when the death involves military personnel and you take the time to listen to the survivors you will understand that a tangled web of bureaucratic red tape and sometimes-downright deceit exists in nearly every case.
Non-combat death families are isolated by investigative design.
"You don't really want to drag your son's memory through the mud by bringing all of his problems to light do you? One mother was asked after her son jumped out of a window at the urging of his Sergeant following months of depression.
This type of callous response usually follows a family member asking very innocent and logical questions. Questions such as:
"Where are the clothes my son was wearing when he died? Why have they been washed in bleach?
"Why was my daughter taking so many prescriptions?
"My husband was right handed, how could he have shot himself in the left temple? Did you test his hands for gunshot residue? Why not?
"What do you mean, my daughter used her big toe to pull the trigger?"
The list is endless.
I knew this would be a hard book to promote. Nevertheless, that reality didn't sink in completely until I went to my first few book signings. In Columbus, Georgia where the crime took place, there was an outpouring of support, yet I also had lifelong friends whom I believed would never leave my side, not come within 20 feet of the book. At the Savannah Book Festival a few months ago, thousands of people poured through the venue and past my table. Mothers peered at the book and looked as though they may cry. Old veteran's wearing their VFW caps would examine the cover intensely and then look up at me, nod their head in a knowingly manner and keep going. I heard comments such as "It's too horrible to know about."
I cannot help but wonder if these same people went home that night and watched a carnage filled horror movie to entertain themselves. They probably had a bowl of popcorn and a soft drink to boot. I do not understand the contradiction.
Books are the world. Period. Some books entertain and some educate and inform. They are a direct interpretation of the world around us for our future generations to use in order to improve society and the human condition. Think back on topics that for their era were seen as taboo to discuss. Topics such as, racial inequality, child abuse, AIDS and breast cancer were whispered about. Looking back, does it not seem the pinnacle of ignorance? Moreover, is it not tragic that people died in pursuit of their right to discuss them aloud?
So to answer my own question about whether or not people burn books in America.
My answer is "yes they do." But instead of using matches to start the fire, they use propaganda, fear, and denial.
"Why aren't there books about the good things being done by soldiers?" the book burning blogger finally asked his readers.
Well sir, those books do exist and rightfully so. However, many times, in order to educate and help society we must be willing to examine what many people would rather ignore.
There is more to supporting our troops than sticking a bumper sticker on our cars.
Jason van Boom: Plans for a Koran Burning Show a Gainesville Church's Bigotry
Sascha Elise Cohen: Civil Liberties Group Wants Right to Burn Books
Joseph Freeman: Egyptian Minister Forced to Apologize for Threatening to Burn Books About Israel
I believe this attitude of "Oh, that's so negative I refuse to look at it." is the result of leaders (we won't name them here) that coerced the population into "going shopping" while the reality was that we were sending vibrant, unquestioning young men and women to their and others' deaths for an empty cause. And that was only the beginning of creating a care-not position.
The story in your book is only one result of that insidious attitude that was seeded by arrogant politicians who possess no empathy, only their own greedy goals.
Not having completely lost hope and idealism, I believe that we can turn back to the more positive, inquisitive people who are willing to look at the not-so-positive (the truth) as a way to a better world.
Keep writing the truth. We all need it.
Cilla McCain, you are a hero.
What can I say but keep living the American dream. I am a proud Veteran and I fought for yours and every other Americans right to free speech. If calling the baby ugly was a crime I would be doing life. As the foremost expert on Security Threat Groups in the military I have been accused of everything but communism. Most of your critics are either clueless or historic revisionist. Whatever gets them through the day. The families of these soldiers also have their right to peace through accurate knowledge. Not all patriots wear a uniform and some of our greatest patriots never wore a uniform at all. As some people have forgotten “That’s why they call us America land of the free”.
Thank you for writing the truth! You have represented those of us who have lost
a loved one to the Military. It is so easy to just say this is a casualty of
war; if it is, why are we hurting our own? Losing a son at 21 years of age (any
loved one!) is unbearable but to then be told lies, half truths and red tape is
killing him all over again. We have a serious problem in our country. Those who
sacrifice every day for our freedom should be honored and taken care of. Thank you
Cilla, for getting the word out and giving us an opportunity and venue to speak
out. It in a small way lets us know our loved ones lives were important even
after their death. Thank you Cilla!!
Way to go Cilla
Even if you don't feel the military cares, millions of Americans ( both those for the war, and the ones against it) feel deep pride for our military men and women. You should be very proud of your son. Americans owe a lot to each and everyone fighting for us while we go about our normal lives.
I wish you luck in getting closure. My prayers go out to you and your family.