Still Worth the Sacrifice
March 19, 2008
This week marks the 5th anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq War. As we approach the anniversary, many antiwar organizations will take their cause to the streets, the media and the internet. Undoubtedly, they will state their case that the war has been mismanaged, that too many lives have been lost, and that what we’ve lost in the conflict far outweighs what we’ve gained.
I served onboard the USS CONSTELLATION during the opening days of the war in 2003. For me, while it is important to acknowledge the views of those against the war, it is equally important to acknowledge the progress that has been made in Iraq, and why we must see its citizens through to stability and a strong self-governance.
I take encouragement in our cause from the fact that Iraqis are taking an ever increasing role in the future of their country. For example, Iraq’s security forces-which now hold responsibility for security in nine of Iraq’s 18 provinces-grew by more than 100,000 in the past year, and now boast over 500,000 personnel. Volunteers calling themselves the “Sons of Iraq” have stepped forward to secure their own neighborhoods.
While al-Qaeda and other extremists remain a threat to Iraq’s future, their capabilities are seriously diminished. In the past year, thousands of extremists have been captured or killed in Iraq, including hundreds of al-Qaeda’s top leaders and operatives. Evidence of this diminishing threat can be seen in the 60% decrease in the number of monthly attacks (placing them at the same levels as 2004-2005), and the 75% decrease in the number of civilian deaths (placing them at a level not seen since 2006).
There is one constant between the antiwar movement and individuals like myself who support our troops and our mission: we want our military to come home, safely and quickly. Where we differ is that pro-mission Americans want them to return under a banner of victory and honor. The facts on the ground show that we are winning the battle for a free, strong, and secure Iraq. The mission that was prematurely declared accomplished during my military service is being accomplished today.
The Iraq War will go down in history as one of our country’s most expensive undertakings. Soon, this country will lose its 4,000th service member in the conflict. These sacrifices are felt by us all, and we honor the memory of those who gave their lives in defense of this country and in the birth of a free Iraq.
The price of freedom is no less expensive in Iraq as it was during the birth of our country. The truest way to honor the sacrifices of our nation is to finish the course we have set out on. We must allow our military to win in Iraq, and give them everything they need to complete their mission and return with honor.
Coby W. DIllard
Assistant to the National Director
Gathering of Eagles
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As I looked at my homepage (FoxNews)this morning, I saw the latest count of heroes who have given their lives in Iraq, and I thought, the people at the Drive-by Media must be starting to look like a bunch of vultures sit”ting in trees, thinking, “C’mon, fellas! How much longer is it going to take you to reach that exciting, titillating, ratings-enhancing figure of 4,000? We’ve had the leads, the stories, and all the wonderful sidebars ready for several months now!!”
It was my impression that the sign on the USS Constellation meant that the homeward bound ship had completed her mission. President Bush standing in front of it indicated to me that he was affirming the statement and congratulating the sailors on a job well done. Never once did he imply in words or actions that the War Against Terror or the punishment of Iraq (for violating the terms of its surrender) were finished!!
Say tbone,
The Drive-by Media and the rest of those who hate Bush (foreign and demostic) should see this:
You Could Have Heard a Pin Drop:
When in England at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of empire building by George Bush. He answered by saying, ‘Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return.
You could have heard a pin drop.
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Then there was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break one of the French engineers came back into the room saying ‘Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intended to do, bomb them?’ A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly: ‘Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?’
You could have heard a pin drop.
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A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S. , English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of Officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, ‘whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English.’ He then asked, ‘Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?’ Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied ‘Maybe it’s because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn’t have to speak German.’
Yo u could have heard a pin drop.
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A group of Americans, retired teachers, recently went to France on a tour. Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on. ‘You have been to France before, monsieur?’ the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. ‘Then you should know enough to have your passport ready.’ The American said, ‘The last time I was here, I didn’t have to show it.’ ‘Impossible. Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France !’ The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained. ‘Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn’t find any damn Frenchmen to show it t o.’
You could have heard a pin drop