2,000 Reasons to Stay the Course
In an email I received yesterday, SSG. Will informed me that his outfit had lost another man to the terrorist enemy in Iraq, when his vehicle was hit by an IED. Will didn't mention his name or any other details, but it's a sobering reminder of the price being paid to secure freedom for the people of Iraq.
I don't know how to quantify that price, when the loss of even one life is too many but the "risk-free" alternative is unacceptable. What I do know is that the media's trumpeting of "2,000 American deaths" for any reason other than to honor the sacrifice made by the men and women that number represents is a disgusting display signifying only its inability or unwillingness to accept that freedom always comes with a price, and that the war in Iraq is nothing compared to what we'll experience if we don't stay the course.
I don't understand what makes 2,000 any different than 1,000 or 1,500 or 1,999. I don't understand why the 2,000th death should make us willing to cut and run. I don't understand why 2,000 should be sufficient reason to become more vocal in criticizing what we're accomplishing in Iraq. If anything, it should make us more determined to defeat the enemy who continues to kill not only Americans but also its own countrymen (and women and children) to advance a documented agenda that would ultimately bring the battle into our own neighborhoods here at home.
If the number 2,000 means anything at all, I hope it serves as a reminder to pray for and support our military as they put themselves in harm's way on a daily basis. To do anything less dishonors the lives that number represents.
Technorati tag: War on Terror
It's hard not to notice that none of the media seems to be keeping a running total of the number of Iraqi civilians killed by the terrorist "insurgents," either.
Posted by: Eric at October 26, 2005 08:45 PMMy boyfriend is also over in Iraq with this brigade and let me tell you its so hard when they go on blackout because someone has been killed in the unit, and you know that's why they havent been able to talk to you, but you dont know if its them who met their maker this time around. I'm sitting on 2 days now not hearing from him, I'm guessing it's due to a blackout, but dont actually know. I'll be glad when his tour is over!
Posted by: Steffany at October 29, 2005 03:12 PMSteffany, I can only guess at how difficult such times are for you. I pray that he'll return home soon...safely and in good health...just as I pray for all the US soldiers around the world who serving their country while in harm's way.
Posted by: Eric at October 29, 2005 03:19 PMAbout the publisher
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My prayers go out to SSG. Will and his lost comrade.
Not that this speaks well of our great country, but I wonder how many murders took place in the U.S. during the same time period. By contrast, Iraq seems a relatively safe place to be. I don't mean to be glib. We need to pay homage to the soldiers who have died (and will die) for freedom and not celebrate the "auspicious" (in the words of Ted Kennedy) occasion that the number 2000 represents.
Posted by: Gwynne at October 26, 2005 06:19 PM