What This Country Needs, it Cannot Buy

[Terri]

By Greg Reeson
December 3, 2007

Those familiar with my writings know that I expend a considerable amount of time and energy analyzing the Iraq War and our nation's fight against Islamic extremism. As a soldier who has served in Iraq twice, and who has witnessed the wounding and deaths of friends and fellow soldiers, the war is a subject of deeply personal importance to me and to my family. But this time, instead of discussing the merits of the war or the consequences that our failure would have on U.S. national security, I'd like to talk about the men and women who volunteer to serve their country during one of its most difficult and dangerous moments.

A few days ago I traveled to Fort Polk, Louisiana to say goodbye to one of my closest friends as he prepared to leave for his fourth Global War on Terror deployment since 2001. We initially got to know each other during the first year of the Iraq War, working together during the day and sleeping ten feet from each other during the night.

More (http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/guest/2007/gr_12031.shtml)

[Amawalk John]

Thanks for the post, Terri. It reminds me a bit of Kipling's "Tommy" (http://www.web-books.com/classics/poetry/anthology/Kipling/Tommy.htm).

........You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.

For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country," when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
But Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool - you bet that Tommy sees!

[RW]

Too bad all of America isn't going to read this article....it is beautiful and ohso true.

[CleosMom]

Thank you.

[Charie]

A wonderful article and obviously, from the heart. Thank you Mr. Reeson.

AJ, I love Kipling. I think it was actually "Tommy" that stroked the liberals fur backward about Kipling.

We never read him in high school, but I somehow got a copy of "Kim" and was hooked.

[Granite River]

I truly believe that the dems voted for the war with the idea that no matter what happened they would be able to enrage their liberal base. They couldn’t be happier that their efforts to keep us from winning have dragged the war out this long.

[lpara]

This article has reminded me that I don't pray for our troops enough.

Thank you Mr. Reeson for your service, and please, please thank your friend. Our prayers will definitely be more diligent because of your sacrifices.

All three of my sons had to memorize Rudyard Kipling's "If" (http://oldpoetry.com/opoem/2940-Rudyard-Kipling-If----) My absolute favorite, and I love Jungle Book too.

[STEELMAN]

"What this country needs, it cannot buy. It needs dedicated soldiers who see service to their country as an affair of the heart." I think General Abrams would be proud of my friend, and of all those serving this nation in uniform today.
It's alarming to me that with all the technology of modern communications there would be so many in America who are asleep and don't recognize there is a war going on until it affects them in a more direct manner.

There is no excuse, IMO, for anyone in this country ignoring the fact that we will be fighting this war for a long time. Hopefull it won't come to our shores...but if it does there's going to be a lot of regret going on and a lot of complaining; but by then it'll be too late.

[Luckyme]

It pains me to hear and read so much about those who claim to support our troops but don't. I can only imagine how the troops feel when they read and hear this themselves.

We need to become the patriotic nation we were after 9/11. Perhaps we need to bring back war bonds or do something so all Americans would feel as though they have a stake in this war effort.

[studebaker51]

Mr & Mrs "Joe American" (& Miss/Ms) needs to be involved in the war effort...too many people can see no farther than their own noses. WWI & WWII saw the involvement of the entire country... EVERYBODY had a share in victory. Nowadays, people whine & cry about the price of gas, or that their favorite celebrity is only making a few million dollars, instead of an obscene amount.

The HIGHLY biased MSM needs to bring more stories of the hardships endured by our fighting men & their families, instead of spewing the Liberal's lies. They should show how every one of our soldiers is a hero, instead of "American Idol".

The only true 'mishandling" of this war is being done by the groups that are supposed to report the news. Instead, they "fashion" what they want people to hear.

I could go on & on, but that would be a rant...:(

[reeson]

Thank you, so much, everyone, for the comments.

[Quixote]

Excellent article.
It eloquently states what so many of us feel.
Back in 06 a friend of mine sent me an email showing a photo of a couple obviously enjoying their wherewithal, the photo was duplicated and placed side by side, with the comments “How terrorism has really affected America” and a “Before” and “After” label on the two photos. Obviously it was meant as a slam on the war on terror and everything associated with it.
My reply to him was simple. I added a picture of Arlington National Cemetery, and above the added photo I typed “and here’s why” and hit the send button.
That was the last time he sent me any anti-war or anti-troop trash.

[Paulmarkar]

Thank You Reeson for your service both in service and with the "pen".

[schillerbjr]

I concur with IPARA post # 7, well done!!!

[reeson]

Thanks all. I enjoy my association with GOPUSA, mostly due to the positive feedback I get from readers.