A Different View of Iraq and Afghanistan and It's Military Forces

The way our world looks at war and performs the task of war has changed greatly over the course of the last 100 years. We may perhaps be able to attribute all of this to the fact that we have information more readily at hand. What with the new age of computers and internet we get wartime information quickly and with the news media's changes over the last 4 decades we see it more graphically.

We have seen the war in Iraq and Afghanistan up close and sometimes feel as if we are right there on the front lines. Within a few years of the start of this war, we have weekly television shows that depict the soldiers and their trials and tribulations in these foreign countries.

However, there is one thing that remains a constant with our Military forces, that is the feelings of pride and usefulness of each member. We can look back to many of the wars our country has fought and one stands out as an example of how our Military forces feel the pride in the job they do and their need to continue reaching their goals in war time.

Lets step back in time and see first hand what this means. Back to the date of February 19, 1945 D-Day and the place is Iwo Jima. This island is 660 miles south of Tokyo and about 700 miles north of Guam, home of Mount Suribachi which towers 550 feet high at one end of this pork chop shaped island in the Pacific. There were 6,800 service members who died on this small six Mile spot in the Pacific. However, at the end of this battle and the taking of this small island there was a movement in the United States that brought about the purchase of war bonds to the tune of $185.7 Billion dollars. It seems 85 million Americans purchased these bonds in support of the war.

One such war bond campaign was enacted after the flag rising in Iwo Jima, Raised on February 23, 1945 by 6 soldiers, 5 Marines and one Sailor. The actual flag was a replacement flag of a smaller one that was placed earlier in the engagement. However, Corporal Ira Hayes, PFC Rene Gagnon, Sgt Michael Strank, PFC Frank Sousley, Corporal Harlon Block and Pharmacist Mate 2^nd Class John "Doc" Bradley raised the flag while Joe Rosenthal, AP Photographer took the famous picture we all see today.

Marines and soldiers who were proud to serve and to run the campaign trail for war bonds. That is who three of these young flag raisers were. Marines Ira Hayes, Rene Gagnon and Navy Pharmacist Mate 2^nd Class John "Doc" Bradley survived the battle of Iwo Jima and came to the US to campaign for this much-needed money to complete the war. The other three Marines died in battle in Iwo Jima, Sgt Michael Strank died on March 1, 1945, PFC Frank Sousley died March 21, 1945 and Corporal Harlon Block died March 1, 1945.

Due to the strength and honor of these Marines and all Military forces who fought during this campaign, we now have a memorial placed in their honor in Washington D.C. Standing 78 feet high and made of Swedish Granite with Burnished gold trimmed names, this memorial flies a real American flag 24 hours a day. At the base of this magnificent statue read the words, "In honor and in memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps". In addition, as spoken by Fleet Adm. Chester W Nimitz, "Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue". It should be pointed out that ¼ of all the Medals of Honor awarded Marines in WWII were awarded to the Marines who fought the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Where is that pride and valor now in this day and age. We listen to the horrible argument and see the terrible treatment of our soldiers after they return from their campaign. The soldier has not changed in all these years. He is the same as he has always been. A proud man or woman who has chose to fight for the freedom of this nation. They chose to fight for those who are unable to protect themselves from the atrocities of others.

Why then do we sit here in our comfortable homes and speak against these young men and women who are doing their chosen job. Is the war in Iraq and Afghanistan right or wrong? It is not for us to decide, it is for us to stand behind our men and women in uniform and provide them with the pride and honor due them.

Ask yourself this question, if we were ask to purchase war bonds today to finish the campaign in Iraq or Afghanistan would you purchase them? Would you step up to the plate and give your country what it needs to finish the job and return our soldiers home?