Center of the Earth
columnist: DigitalBob

Topic: Iraq
3,400 Indiana National Guard On Their Way To Iraq

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Pride and sadness are two emotions that come to mind when I saw this on my local TV news.

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by DigitalBob
(Libertarian)
Thursday, January 3, 2008

Yesterday, I caught a glimpse of this report on channel 16, WNDU-TV, NBC affiliate in South Bend, Indiana.  3,400 National Guardsmen of 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are on their way to assist the Iraqis with policing, and anything else our nation asks them to do.

It's incredible that we live in a nation where patriots are willing to put their lives on hold for 12 to 15 months at a stroke when they are called.  Some of them will face financial ruin, since they are foregoing their civilian salary for that of a private.  Many have never seen combat.  Others are senior sergeants who can't leave their men behind.  All of them are heroes.  Some will not return.

Without a draft, this war is being fought increasingly with the National Guard.  The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports that 425,000 National Guardsmen have served at least one tour in Iraq.  Although I've openly opposed this war, I respect the dedication of those who serve this country.  I'm in awe of our citizen soldiers.

Tonight I looked through my father's medals.  I got those when he died from cancer 12 years ago.  He was a 20-year Naval veteran.  One medal was for WWII occupation with a "Europe" pin on the ribbon.  The dates on the medal were 1941-1945.  He joined when he was 17.  He was in junior high when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.  He was from Vincennes, Indiana.

As we argue the merits of this war in Iraq, let's remember that we're talking about real people, who have real lives, and have loved ones left behind.  Let's make sure that we take care of our veterans and their families, regardless of our politics.  May God watch over them and bring them home safely.

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2008 DigitalBob, all rights reserved.
Published: Thursday, January 3, 2008
Last modified: Thursday, January 3, 2008

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