Before everyone gets ready for parades and barbecues today, let's all make sure we remember (and teach our kids) what this day is all about.Here are the words of one American commander in Afghanistan that seem especially appropriate and say it far better than I could:
"We reflect on those who have gone before us. We reflect on their service and their sacrifice on behalf of our great nation," said Brig. Gen. Lewis A. Craparotta, who commands a Marine division in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province. "We should also remember those serving today who embody that same commitment of service and sacrifice. They are committed to something greater than themselves and they muster the physical and moral courage to accomplish extraordinary feats in battle."
For anyone keeping track, over 1400 American troops have been killed in Afghanistan, and 4,400 died in Iraq (we still have over 46,000 troops there, although officially combat has ended. Those troops there are supposed to be on mop-up detail, but it's still hot and there's no McDonald's, no matter what the mission).
In Libya, there are no ground troops yet, but reportedly the CIA has teams in Libya. So, the administration can call this anything but a "war" all it wants (what exactly is a "kinetic military action" anyway?), but rhetoric can't change reality.
In a world where it seems that no matter what the reluctance of folks like President Obama to engage in defending freedoms throughout the world... kinda like being, I don't know... the "World Police"... the state of the world means that we continue to have a great responsibility to send troops overseas to protect our interests and fight for freedom. And that reality doesn't appear to be ending any time soon.
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5 comments:
Nice!! Politicizing Memorial Day? Stay classy, Team America's Tenth.
Freedom is not free.
We are the Land of the Free...BECAUSE of the Brave!
Trebor of Libertyville
Okay, you are officially a boob. What did Jimmy Carter do but listen to his military advisors and then make a gutsy call. Obama did the same thing. That's leadership. They took big risks involving the fewest soldiers possible. Bush never once took a risk like that. He opted for shock and awe. Recall, TA the how and the why of our presence in Iraq. Did Bush honor our troops by dismissing the same Special Forces OP's regarding weapons of mass destruction as Obama utilized to secure and eliminate bin Laden? Truth time.
Leave it to an attorney who never wore the cloth of our nation to post this on a day dedicated to the men and women of this country who paid the ultimate price in the name of our freedom
Anon 6:52: You said it, brother. This post establishes a new low.
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