Let Us Not Forget

When the headlines are dominated by bad economic and unemployment news, the bickering and posturing of the political class, and tragedies everywhere you turn, it becomes easy to turn inward and forget those who have fought and labored for the cause of good and the cause of freedom.

Iraq, it seems, is very much yesterday's news. With the pending drawdown of combat forces, few seem to really be paying attention to what has been achieved there by our military men and women. The battle for Afghanistan continues and Iran is on the verge of becoming a nuclear nation, so clearly there is much to be concerned about relative to today's and tomorrow's wars. Nevertheless, something profound has been accomplished in Iraq - an opportunity that the Iraqis themselves will have to work to see realized. The cost has been high, and there is work we must do to ensure that it is not in vain. And that work begins by remembering and appreciating those who have made the sacrifices.

This point is made beautifully and powerfully by David Bellavia, in his article entitled "Our Mission is Finally Accomplished ... Anyone Care?" I highly recommend you read it all. A few excerpts:

What we achieved in the face of an implacable enemy, overcoming many in our own government willfully ignorant of our struggle, is what I believe to be the defining moment of my generation. The veteran today is the embodiment of what it means to be an American. Even when our valor was used for political sport, we continued to serve quietly.

Mr. Bellavia goes on to share a deeply personal story of one young woman who died while waiting to vote in Iraq's first election. He concludes:

I came home in search of that woman’s spirit in the hearts of my fellow Americans. I came home expecting to find the sacrifice of these brave patriots revered at every turn by those who overwhelmingly sent us to war from Washington.

I’m still looking.

If you can’t bring yourself to give the living the sense of accomplishment for winning a war that many claimed was endless, at least humor the dead. Allow them to rest knowing that the war that took their lives was won because of their sacrifice.

Is that too much to ask for?

No, it is not too much to ask for. Let us not forget those who serve and sacrifice for freedom's cause, wherever the battle rages.

(h/t: Powerline)