The media and popular attention given last year to the accident death of racer Dale Earnhardt -- for all the appropriateness, surely, there was in it-- is an embarrassment when we compare with it the scant attention given to American war dead. Even those of us who remember to observe Memorial Day next Monday can come nowhere near to paying them as much honor as most of the country did to Earnhardt.

He was killed tragically in the last lap of the Daytona 500 on February 18 of last year, but he thrilled at the risk and it was for fame and fortune.

In contrast, those killed in combat with our national enemies were put at risk as a requirement we placed upon them for our defense. None of them ever saw even a modest fortune.

Despite the danger, Earnhardt had lived long already and his children were grown. I am not a racing fan, but the media over-loaded us with ample information about his life and achievements to make the comparison. Yet, I find the most interesting contrast was drawn at the time by a retired Army Chief Warrant Officer, James V. Torney.

He described the racer with all due respect: "He was a winner and earned everything he had. This included more than $41 million in winnings and 10 times that from endorsements and souvenir sales. He had a beautiful home and a private jet. He drove the most sophisticated cars allowed and every part was inspected and replaced as soon as there was any evidence of wear. This is normally fully funded by the car and team sponsors. [At the time of his death there was no TV station that did] not constantly remind us of his tragic end and the radio [soon had] a song of tribute to this winning driver. Nothing should be taken away from this man, he was a professional and the best in his profession. He was in a very dangerous business but the rewards were great."

Barely two weeks prior to Earhardt's death, Chief Torney reminded us, two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters collided during night maneuvers in Hawaii. Six United States Army soldiers died and 11 were injured in just a training accident in preparation for risking their lives against an armed enemy. All were but in their twenties -- pilots, crew members, and infantrymen.

Pay attention to Torney's honest description: "Most of them lived in sub-standard housing. If you add their actual duty hours (in the field, deployed) they probably earn something close to minimum wage. The aircraft they were in were between 15 and 20 years old.

"Many times parts were not available to keep them in good shape due to funding. They were involved in the extremely dangerous business of flying in the Kuhuku mountains at night. It only gets worse when the weather moves in as it did that night. Most times no one is there with a yellow or red flag to slow things down when it gets critical. Their children where mostly toddlers who will lose all memory of who 'Daddy' was as they grow up. They died training to defend our freedom."

Now, here is this old soldier's poignant conclusion: "I take nothing away from Dale Earnhardt but ask you to perform this simple test. Ask any of your friends if they know who was the NASCAR driver killed on

February 18, 2001.

Then ask them if they can name one of the [six] soldiers who died in Hawaii two weeks ago. February 18 2001, Dale Earnhardt died driving for fame and glory at the Daytona 500. The nation mourns. [Six] soldiers died training to protect our freedom. No one can remember their names."

I do: Maj. Robert L. Olson (a Minn native), CWO George P. Perry, CWO Gregory I. Montgomery, Sgt. Thomas E. Barber (of Champlin, Minn), Spc. Bob D. MacDonald, Spc. Rafael Olvera-Rodriguez.

Wallace Alcorn appears on Mondays in the Herald