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I spent much of the last 10 years in Iraq or Afghanistan. Our version of 'won' is basically an endless series of live fire training exercises with live fire opposition.

We win every season, and somehow nothing ever gets better, and no one remembers what it was we were trying to accomplish. Then the old unit rotates out, a new unit rotates in. The new guys try hard for a while, then they get frustrated and sit on the FOB until the new unit rotates in, and they can go home. I've seen it a hundred times at dozens of different locations.

We can 'win' fights like that until our printing presses run dry, if we deem that to be a prudent use of our billions.

Personally, I think we should declare victory in Iraq and leave. What else is there to accomplish? As for Afghanistan, I often think it would have been better had we left the ground war, and thus the nation building, entirely to the Northern Alliance, etc. We're now stuck chasing a peace that will be very difficult to obtain with a truly ignorant population and a militant safe haven in Pakistan. I don't know the true status of the Afghan national army, but the sooner they can stand up, the better. Our military is designed to fight wars and defend this nation; I'm through with nation building.

If you find yourself there again however, remind our fine young men and women that they are accomplishing a great goal; they are protecting our nation. We have not had a major attack on the U.S. homeland since 9/11, Bin Laden is dead, and every militant who would have been headed to American shores to wreak death and havoc here has instead gone to fight the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan. It has been like moths to the flame, and it has likely saved the lives of untold Americans at home. That it seems to me, is the real victory.

Thanks for your service - be it military of civilian - that's a rough neighborhood.