Courage & sacrifice in war zone Iraq

New York Daily News ^ | 11/03/03

[kattracks]

First we mourn, then we persevere, honoring the spirit of the U.S. troops who perished and were wounded yesterday in the most lethal attacks since organized combat was declared over in Iraq. These fine young Americans were engaged in service of a noble cause that is everyday becoming more vital to a secure future.

It is terrible to imagine them shaken from reveries of well-deserved rest and relaxation and plummeting in a wounded transport helicopter, their blood spilled on soil to which they owed no allegiance. Such is too often the calling of the U.S. soldiers who have accepted the mission of defending nothing less than civilization against fanatics for whom destruction is all.

Quite likely, we will never know precisely who loosed the shoulder-fired missiles that are said to have downed the Chinook copter. Be they loyalists of Saddam Hussein or among the hordes of Muslim extremists reported flowing into Iraq to wage jihad, they are brothers in arms with but one cause: the obliteration of America. That being impossible, humiliation will suffice.

And so they are hellbent - and bent for hell they surely are - to prevent the U.S. from planting the seeds of a free society in Iraq. A flowering of human rights and equitably distributed oil income in the despotic deserts would put the lie to everything they stand for.

That's why, more than ever, the struggle in Iraq is greater than a contest over a single country. It is also why the entire nation of Iraq must now be recognized as a war zone, as dangerous as any battlefield and requiring stepped-up aggression and vigilance.

The rising bloodshed signals that the U.S. is deep in the throes of a military mission that is probably unique in history. We are doing the work of the Almighty by whatever name you choose in relieving the suffering of an abused people while battling evil on its own turf. May the families of the lost find inspiration in the bravery of their loved ones and solace in the rightness of the fight.

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Originally published on November 3, 2003

[maica]

Very thoughtful editorial.

[Coop]

Excellent editorial recognizing the sacrifices of our military and the need for this critical mission.

[livius]

Very good! I'm surprised - the News used to be a real left-wing rag, but they seem to be swinging around now.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you kattracks, Coop.

The NY Post comes through for the troops again.

First we mourn, then we persevere, honoring the spirit of the U.S. troops who perished and were wounded yesterday in the most lethal attacks since organized combat was declared over in Iraq. These fine young Americans were engaged in service of a noble cause that is everyday becoming more vital to a secure future.

~~~

If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[MEG33]

This is an exceptional editorial.God bless our troops.

[MEG33]

It is from the Daily News.

[presidio9]

A moment of clarity from the New York Daily News? There is hope for everyone!

[prairiebreeze]

I had to check twice myself! Almost automatically assumed it from NY Post. Well, well.

Prairie

[windchime]

".......U.S. soldiers who have accepted the mission of defending nothing less than civilization against fanatics for whom destruction is all."

Troops with a mission.

[PhilDragoo]

It is also why the entire nation of Iraq must now be recognized as a war zone, as dangerous as any battlefield and requiring stepped-up aggression and vigilance.

Tell the Army REMFs to cancel the court martial of Col. Alan West.