War was something that growing up we thought our nation would never endure again. Sadly as we matured into adults we found this was not the case.
Contrary to what is thought by many, the war in Iraq is not over - and worse, it's a along way from over. Winning in Iraq is not what winning meant was in past wars. There is no front line, no safe rear.
The weapons of mass destruction were never found. U.S. inspectors have recently said that nothing has been found to conclude that Iraq was attempting to make weapons of mass destruction after 1991.
This means either the Iraqi's didn't have any WMD's and now the threat is non-existent, or they destroyed and disposed of WMD's before we found them. We are safe now! Over a thousand men have died in Iraq, so their mothers, wives, girlfriends and friends are much safer with the now-reduced amount of terrorists and terrorist training areas.
Everyone seems to have forgotten what else the war in Iraq has done -- the humane objective was directed at the people of Iraq. Why can't we let them live with the same opportunity and freedom that we have?
We are winning if you consider our high morale, and the response of the people of a now war-torn country.
In the war, 18- and 19-year-old kids have turned to men. They have seen death and destruction, yet they have seen hope and honor on the highest levels. They have done the job of whatever god you choose to believe in. They have liberated people torn down by years of suffering under a dictatorship. They have learned more at that young age than most of us ever will.
I, too, am ready to take this challenge. A deployment for my unit in the Marine Corps Reserves is quickly approaching. I am nervous, but ready to fight for my country. I will be proud and honored to leave college and everything in my life to fight for people who cannot fight for themselves.
Moreover, I have not forgotten, nor will I ever forget, shooting blanks over the casket of a comrade that lost his life serving in Iraq. The sacrifice is very real, but hopefully the families of those who died can understand the purpose of his sacrifice.
Another friend of mine, U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Eric Hamilton, returned home less than two weeks ago. His report from the front might make you re-think what you have heard about the war.
"The morale is good with the guys that are stationed in Iraq," said Hamilton. "The American people don't see what we're doing for the citizens in Iraq, you're only seeing the bad things on the news. We're giving them needed things like health care."
Need some proof that the people want us there?
"The people love us; they come up to us on patrols saying things like 'Thank you,
thank you,' 'America is good,'" he said. "The parents let the kids come out and play when we are around, they kick the soccer ball around, and give us lots of thumbs-ups."
The military can only hope that people keep putting the ribbon magnets on their cars, "supporting our troops." After all, no one is affected by the war like the men and women that are fighting it.
