A Positive Portrayal

For my blog this semester, I have chosen to write about U.S. military and veteran issues. As our participation in the War on Terror wages on, it’s vital that we provide our military forces with the support and appreciation they deserve. There is an overwhelming negativity in the media regarding our armed forces and their presence in combat zones. Because of this skewed media coverage, Americans are misinformed about what’s really going on and demean the efforts of our troops. In an attempt to ensure this doesn’t happen, I will use my public writing to showcase the selflessness of our armed forces, and the brave work they do on a consistent basis. People too easily forget the sacrifices of those who have given everything to maintain our country’s safety and security. Although the assassination of Osama Bin Laden has rekindled some military support in America, there is still a substantial amount of negativity. In a quest to improve this reality, I will present news stories, personal accounts, and other media works to convey the noble actions of our troops.

As Shamoon pointed out, public writing is often sparked by one person’s interest, and then that person may look to others with common beliefs for support. She wrote that people in the past “engaged in public writing to inform and stimulate sympathetic awareness among many different people, even though these individuals might never be directly involved in the project” (Shamoon 27). This is the approach that I will take with my blog: I want to appeal to the American people to raise awareness about our nation’s military, and write about the positive acts that aren’t broadcasted on national television. Because my boyfriend is a U.S. Marine, I have been exposed to a great deal of military families, supporters, and organizations that defend this cause. I can enlist the help of my family and friends to spread the word about my blog, and I can also talk to people I have met who are directly involved in the military. I can also contact a freelance writer I have spoken with, who was embedded with my boyfriend’s unit in Fallujah, Iraq and again in Marjah, Afghanistan this past year. By looking to friends and family for support, and “stimulating sympathetic awareness” of my audience, I’m confident that my blog will gain substantial success in the coming future.