Discussion is a good thing between two parties who have knowledge on a subject.
When it comes to discussing Operation Iraqi Freedom, it is tough to find people with the knowledge of the subject.
The television and media access to this combat mission has been amazing. You have been able to turn your television and watch live fire fights. Even our own Kerry Webster, who is not a big fan of war, was glued to his television watching a fire fight over the weekend. He said: “I just couldn’t turn it off.”
Every now and then, you get people who read about wars and think they are subject matter experts. They call for the heads of generals because things aren’t moving as fast as they think they should. The question for those people is have you ever put on a chemical suit? Have you ever carried a full ruck sack of equipment for over five miles, let alone 50 miles? I bet not.
President Bush, Secretary Rumsfeld and General Franks all have said that this will take longer and be tougher than some “so called” experts have predicted. As General Myers said in the first Pentagon briefing: “There is nothing easy about combat.”
The Iraqi Repbulican Guard is fighting this time. The are dressing as civilians and shooting our troops from behind. That is a part of war. There are ground rules to war, but in every conflict, someone breaks them.
The Iraqis have paraded prisoners of war on television. They have shown dead American soldiers. That is a war crime.
I am not an expert on war tactics. I followed orders that were given to me and came home in one piece. I pray that as many troops as possible come home safe as well.
There are a few things to remember in combat.
First, everything you expect to happen, won’t.
Second, there is nothing easy when someone is trying to defend what they believe in.
Third, this isn’t the first Gulf War. There wasn’t six weeks of bombing before the ground offensive started. There won’t be mass surrenders. Most of those people surrendered 12 years ago.
Rush Limbaugh said this when President Clinton was talking about allowing homosexuals in the military.
“The military is not a social experiment. The purpose of the military is to kill people and break things.”
War is ugly. People die in combat. The best we can do is pray for their safety and the ability of those in power to lead in the best way possible.
Technology can help win a battle, but to gain ground and capture what you hope to accomplish, soldiers have to go hand to hand. One to one.
It’s sad that war has to happen. It is sad that there will be soldiers coming home in flag-draped coffins.
I leave this message. For the people who feel the need to protest, remember the people who are fighting right now, defend your right to protest. For the arm chair generals, take a back pack this weekend, put on three layers of clothing and go for a 50 mile hike and see if you can make it. I bet not.
Our soldiers are in my prayers and keep reading The Daily Herald for the latest information.
