Dear Terrorists

A friend e-mailed this to me this afternoon, and I thought it was worth passing on.

“Dear Terrorists,
I am a Naval 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 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 have already forgotten what you did on Sept 11th, but I will not forget!!
 
I am coming. 
I hope you know me a little bit better, see you soon...sleep tight.
 
Signed
A U.S. Navy Pilot”