This is not an anniversary to celebrate

This is not an anniversary to celebrate, but it’s certainly one to commemorate.

Shock and Awe began three years ago – the war to liberate Iraq from a madman such as the world has not seen since the days of Adolph Hitler.

Who can ever forget the sight of Sadam Hussein’s statue tumbling in Baghdad? Or the American GI rapping with a group of spellbound Iraqi children? Or the look on Sadaam’s face when he was caught hiding in a rat hole? We’ll always remember the triumphant expression on the faces of Iraqis when they voted for the first time.

And we can’t ever forget the death toll of American men and women who died – and continue to die – to free that country.

All has not gone well. All has not gone as planned. The same can be said of almost any war. The battle for Iraqi freedom is not the first to set generals back on their toes.

Is the price worth it? Only the men and women in Iraq can answer that question with any accuracy. Donald Rumsfield can’t. George Bush can’t. Cindy Sheehan certainly can’t.

Yet over and over again we hear the question: When are the troops coming home? Mothers and fathers, husbands, wives and girlfriends want their loved ones out of harm’s way. It’s been long enough, we say. Let the Iraqis handle it.

How often do we remember our own fight for independence? We didn’t secure our freedom overnight, and we didn’t secure it by asking – tediously and repetitively – when will it end? Of course, we didn’t secure it at all. Our forefathers did. They probably also wondered, “How much longer,” but we’re here today because they didn’t cut and run.

We listen to strident harangues by people like John Kerry, Barbara Boxer, Teddy Kennedy and their ilk, all of whom want the heads of Bush, Rumsfield and Dick Cheney on a plate. It must bring comfort to our troops to know they have such unqualified support at home.

These men and women are risking their lives daily in dangerous territory. Every one has volunteered to serve in the military, knowing that they’d probably end up in Iraq. Most say their work is worthwhile. Many willingly return for a second tour. The gift of freedom to the Iraqi people will be their gift.

Let us all pray it is not too much longer in coming.

Lee Raynor is editor of KinstonPress.com. She welcomes your comments at leeraynor@kinstonpress.com.