Courage in a New War

As the war to preserve freedom and defeat terrorism continues to rage around the globe, I want to dedicate this post to honoring and remembering the courage and sacrifice of the American Soldier. This week we commemorated the 63rd anniversary of the D-day landings in Normandy during World War II. Today we are once again a war-weary nation engaged in a life-or-death struggle with an evil enemy, and today the American military still fights on with the same patriotism and even greater bravery than it did more that six decades ago. I say "even greater bravery" for several reasons, but before I enumerate them, let me just say that I fully recognize and honor the heroism of those who fought to preserve the world from tyranny during World War II. My grandfather was a veteran of the Pacific theater, and I have great respect for the sacrifices that he and thousands of others made so that we can live free.

The war that we are fighting today is not the same kind of war, however. Success is not measured in miles of territory gained or in enemy tanks and planes destroyed. The enemy is not a clearly defined force with recognizable uniforms or emblems. The struggle does not have a clear-cut goal at its end. And worst and most shamefully of all, the mission and the men are not fully supported at home. In this war, success is measured as terrorists are eliminated one man or one cell at a time, even as new ones seem to spring up to replace them. In this war, the enemy could be an innocent-looking woman in a market, a "delivery driver" at a checkpoint, or an unseen IED-- all the work of suicidal maniacs who spurn all rules of warfare and who are intent on destroying freedom and the West. In this war, there is no Berlin or Tokyo to capture-- it will instead be a long fight against evil fanatics who will die as "martyrs" rather than surrender. In this war, the mission, and therefore those who perform it, are subjected to pessimistic sentiments, defeatist reporting, and, at the worst, vitriolic attacks from the majority of the drive-by media and a large number of elected leaders and other public figures. I think that this war is one which calls forth even greater endurance and courage from the men and women who serve our country in uniform. May we never forget, and may we always honor this sacrifice.

Please take the time to say a prayer for the success and safety of our soldiers, airmen, and sailors; and please let them know of your support and gratitude.