FOUR THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN: WE WON...RIGHT?
“I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over,” declared the President on Tuesday night in prime time TV.
So yesterday officially marked
the end of combat operations in Iraq. Four thousand, four hundred and seventeen troops heroically and sacrificially gave their lives.
Speaking as a mother only, I can't help but wonder what makes today different from yesterday in Iraq?
Did we win???
AMONG THE LAST OF THE FALLEN IN IRAQ:
Below are respectfully noted as being among the last to give their all. I salute them and my heart and prayers go out to their families.
Army Sgt. Faith R. Hinkley
Died August 07, 2010 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom
23, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; assigned to 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died Aug. 7 in Baghdad, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked her unit in Iskandariya, Iraq.
Army Sgt. Brandon E. Maggart
Died August 22, 2010 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom
24, of Kirksville, Mo.; assigned to the 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash; died Aug. 22 at Basrah, Iraq, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire.
Many years ago I had the privilege of accompanying my Dad back to Guadalcanal where he served in WWII. As we stood and gazed over the waters of Iron Bottom Sound, I'll never forget him telling me about how it had been his job duty to scoop dead bodies up out of the water as their boat searched around those waters after a severe attack from the Japanese.
He said if anyone had ever been in a war and knew what it was like, there would never be anymore wars.
He followed up by saying what so many before have said, "War is hell".
I believed him then...I believe him now.
>
“I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over,” declared the President on Tuesday night in prime time TV.
So yesterday officially marked
the end of combat operations in Iraq. Four thousand, four hundred and seventeen troops heroically and sacrificially gave their lives.
Speaking as a mother only, I can't help but wonder what makes today different from yesterday in Iraq?
Did we win???
AMONG THE LAST OF THE FALLEN IN IRAQ:
Below are respectfully noted as being among the last to give their all. I salute them and my heart and prayers go out to their families.
Army Sgt. Faith R. HinkleyDied August 07, 2010 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom
23, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; assigned to 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; died Aug. 7 in Baghdad, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked her unit in Iskandariya, Iraq.
Army Sgt. Brandon E. MaggartDied August 22, 2010 serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom
24, of Kirksville, Mo.; assigned to the 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash; died Aug. 22 at Basrah, Iraq, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using indirect fire.
Many years ago I had the privilege of accompanying my Dad back to Guadalcanal where he served in WWII. As we stood and gazed over the waters of Iron Bottom Sound, I'll never forget him telling me about how it had been his job duty to scoop dead bodies up out of the water as their boat searched around those waters after a severe attack from the Japanese.
He said if anyone had ever been in a war and knew what it was like, there would never be anymore wars.
He followed up by saying what so many before have said, "War is hell".
I believed him then...I believe him now.
>
(My Dad and I standing on top of "Bloody Ridge" in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. Many, many troops lost their lives there.)
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.Romans 12:18
12 comments:
Sadly I think there will always be wars especially over idiology(hope I spelled that right)Live and let live will always be a thing to attain.
When I look at my two little grandsons, I don't want them to have to go to war.
Watching the news last night of the men and women going home to their families, and the children running up to them crying - it broke my heart - I am not a "cryer" but who could not cry when seeing that - I had to keep wiping them away.
and I thought of those whose families won't be able to say hello ever again, or even goodbye
:-(
Debra:
These are thought provoking words! I know theat the Bible says there will always be wars and rumors of wars. I also know that my father in law was on the front lines during the war, and he felt the same as your dad did. And I LOVE your scripture!!! That's a mission in itself, to be at peace as much as is possible!!
Hmmmm.... For some reason my comments aren't showing up on a number of blogs. I don't know what's going on.
I'll try again here Debra.
I just wanted to say that this post really touched my heart. I don't really have words to express my feelings on war - but as I look into the faces of those who didn't return, my heart grieves so heavily that they were sacrificed for such as this. And as I hear the horror stories and addiction-related problems and PTSD issues of those who did return, I have to question if it was worth it? Did we win? How do you gauge such things?
I read that in th e papers. So glad its over with so many lives taken
Looking at those two faces really hit me. Unfortunately, as horrible as it is,there will always be wars from the book of Genesis. God even said there is a time for war and a time for peace.
Oh how we all long for peace in this world.
To all who served, I wish them peace in all their tomorrows.
As the mother of a son, I can't help but pray for peace.
Did you do the Blogblast last year Debra? You would have a wonderful voice to add to the Blog Blast for Peace. Travis Cody has the info on his site if you need it.
Have a wonderful week!
I don't think we won. My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones. Such a tragedy...
When our two sons were born, I prayed that they would never have to go to war. I know that is every mother's prayer. Our oldest is in the Air Force and our youngest is a fireman.
My FIL was in WWII and he never spoke of it. He was a medic and later went on to become a country doctor. He was gone for 47 months.
Most men of that era don't want to talk about it. I am thankful for the young men and women that serve our country and to those that made the ultimate sacrifice.
My God bless those returning soldiers and their families because I know that returning will be difficult at best.
Hi Debra,
Sadly war is necessary sometimes, but I wish it weren't so. But this new War --WAR on terrorism is here to stay. They Hate us --THEY HATE ISRAEL always have always will.
So we must do what we can to protect ourselves and our allies.
But OH HOW I WISH we all could live in Peace.
I Pray that ALL the time,and the real battles I think lie ahead, the end times and the battle for people to accept Christ.
Hugs to you my dear friend,
jamie
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