There are many schools of thought when it comes to how the possibility of war with Iraq has any meaning here in Northern Blair County.
Some think it has no effect because Iraq is half way around the world. Some worry daily because they have loved ones serving their country in the military.
The effect is mind boggling.
The possibility of war has raised gas prices to record highs and heating oil rates have risen during one of the coldest winters on record.
The threat of war has taken a huge chunk out of the stock market, hurting many retirement funds.
There are 230,000 United States troops just waiting for the orders to move forward. One of those soldiers is Bob Mertiff Jr., a combat medic serving with the 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, but is now somewhere in the Arabian peninsula. Mertiff is a Tyrone High School graduate and was the quarterback of Tyrone’s first District VI Championship football team.
What he faces in the near future is tougher than any defense he ever faced on the gridiron.
While Americans are worried about higher unemployment, a sagging economy and making ends meet, 230,000 of our fellow citizens are worried about making it home… alive.
It was just over 12 years ago that I was in the same shoes that our forces are in now. I was fortunate enough to come home alive. That couldn’t be said for the members of the 14th Quartermaster Company. Their staging barracks, was hit by a scud missile, killing 28 and injuring 100 soldiers. One of those killed in the Scud attack was Dwayne Hollen who was 24 and a 1985 graduate of Bellwood-Antis High School.
Because of the buildup in Iraq, more National Guard troops are being called to serve as peace keepers in other parts of the world.
Recently, 50 National Guard soldiers based in Tyrone were called to duty to serve as peacekeepers in Kosovo.
Every soldier has a story to tell. While preparing for his deployment, Scott Sessaman of Vail lost his home and belongings in a fire. The community rallied to help his family before he deployed.
Steve Johnson and Josh Lucas were big contributors to the 1999 State Championship football team. Anthony Stever was part of the 2000 District VI Champion basketball team.
They are all teammates at Fort Stewart, Ga. as they prepare with Sessaman and many others for their duty in Kosovo.
Just look next door in the windows of Columbia Ancillary Services to see many Tyrone residents who have either served their country proudly, or are currently serving.
The pride of local residents is evident. More and more American flags are showing up all over Northern Blair County.
It was 15 years ago Sunday that Saddam Hussein ordered the chemical attack on Kurdish rebels that left more than 5,000 dead.
For those who ask for proof about weapons of mass destruction, ask any of the Kurdish survivors what a chemical attack can do to you.
Last night President Bush gave Saddam and his sons 48 hours to get out of Iraq. The deadline for that is 4 a.m. Thursday, in Iraq.
The troops are well trained and well equiped. May God bless all that will be in harms way and may they all come home safely to their families and friends at home.
