A soldier dies in Iraq
How many of you, seeing that title, passed over it without a moments reaction? I would dare say that by now, there are very few Americans who even bother paying attention to the number of men dying over there anymore. If they still read the numbers, I doubt many are impacted by them. For certain, I know far too many who consider it not to be an issue, because after all, there are less dying now than there were even a few months ago right? So we should be happy about that.
But what seems to escape the notice of so many people is that even if there are fewer dying, they are still dying. It is probably getting old to a lot of people to hear this – but supporting the troops does not mean cheering for them as they go to their deaths. Yes we should absolutely support our troops. We believe in them. Yet we also owe it to them, to their families and to their friends to ensure that the reason they go to their deaths is a very very good one. That our cause is just and right. We ought to be certain that we have a goal, and that that goal is achievable. Every day of every war we ought to weigh the cause against the cost. The value of even an ideal outcome against the value of the lives of soldiers who are dying to achieve it.
Today I read a story, and I hope that you will read it too. I am not going to quote it here, because I think it needs to be read in its entirety and there is no introduction to it I can give that will do it justice. So read it now, before finishing this post and then come back.
We must remember that our soldiers are not expendable. When we see the death toll reported those are not just numbers. They are men. Many of them good men, with mothers and fathers, wives, children, and friends. All of whom will miss them. All of whom will have their lives turned upside down and destroyed. Mothers and Fathers that will never hear their son’s laughter again, never see him around their table at Thanksgiving or Christmas. Wives who will go on in empty houses, where their now deceased husband’s voice still hangs in the air, but will never be heard again. Children who will never be tucked into bed at night again by their father. Who will not receive another piggy-back ride. Daughters whose father won’t be there when they get married to give them away.
Consider this, consider it well. Then ask yourself two questions. I don’t want to hear the answers, and no comments will be allowed on this post regardless. These are questions for you to answer honestly, to yourself, and consider in your heart.
Why?
Having considered why, I ask you
Is it worth the cost?
Not just the financial cost, that’s a whole different question. Is it worth the cost in the lives of our best and brightest? Every one of us must answer this for ourselves. And every one of us will one day be called on to give an answer for it.
