Giving thanks

The Hill ^ | Nov 24, 2004

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

When Marine Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presented Grateful Nation Awards last week to six young members of the U.S. military for their outstanding service in the war on terrorism, many of those attending the ceremony were taken aback by their youthful appearance.

Each of the soldiers, sailors, and Marines who were honored at a dinner sponsored by the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs was cited for bravery in combat conditions in the Persian Gulf region. Some, like Marine Cpl. Gary Spangler, looked as if they could not have been over 18 years old.

They are conspicuous but not atypical examples of the selfless and courageous young men and women who are putting their lives on the line daily in Iraq and Afghanistan as American and coalition forces battle the Islamic nihilists who want to prevent democracy from taking hold in the Middle East.

As Americans pause this week for a day of national thanksgiving, they should keep in mind the sacrifices being made by our military personnel as they confront violent insurgents in Fallujah and other cities and begin the massive reconstruction efforts aimed at beefing up security to allow Iraqis to hold a national election on Jan. 30.

Indeed, while most Americans enjoy their Thanksgiving meals and prepare for the holiday season, they should be aware that the military is likely to be called on to make even more sacrifices before President Bush’s second inauguration and a new Congress in January.

As The Washington Post reported this week, senior U.S. military commanders in Iraq are expected to request more combat forces to continue the recovery effort and conduct future offensive operations to eradicate remaining areas of resistance. With almost 140,000 U.S. troops in Iraq since last summer, the exact number of extra troops needed is not yet clear, but Pentagon officials estimate it at the equivalent of several battalions, or between 3,000 and 5,000 soldiers.

American voters, by returning Bush to the Oval Office for a second term, have endorsed the war against global terrorism, despite their qualms about its tremendous human and financial costs. But they must also be aware that they, too, will be called upon to share some of the sacrifices being made by our military personnel and their families. Higher gasoline prices, cutbacks in federal programs due to increased military spending, and stepped-up security measures at airports and on city streets are a small price to pay, compared to the huge sacrifices so willingly made by U.S. military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

That’s something that every American and every member of Congress should keep in mind on this Thanksgiving Day.

[gidget7]

Amen, we sure will at my house!

[Gabz]

In my house as well.

[LaMudBug]

In March, 1951, I went through Marine Corp boot camp at San Diego for 8 weeks at the age of 18. As I looked around at the others in the platoon, I thought to myself, "God, some of these guys are really young." It did not take long to get into a conversation with them and ask them how old they were.

To my surprise, most of them said they were 15 years old. Most were from Oklahoma. They and their parents had lied to the recruiters about their age so that they could get away from their home and into the Marines.

I'm sure that the Navy and the Army had their share of 15 year olds as well.

It did not take us long to learn the following:
"This is my rifle, this is my gun,
this is for business, this is for fun."

Try holding a M1 rifle on the back of your outstrecthed arms and hands and you don't dare drop the piece.

Everyone enjoy Thanksgiving and give thanks that GWB is in the Whitehouse.

LaMudBug - old Goldwater Republican fart in his pajamas.

[ErnBatavia]

fart in his pajamas.

My wife will let me do that on occasion too...but not in bed.

Semper Fi.