|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||
|
The
Cost of War
As I sit here at my desk on the Marine Corps’ largest base, I feel perfectly safe from the war that is being waged thousands of miles away in Iraq. I even feel insulated from the terrorist threats made against American cities and towns. Not that it couldn’t happen here. It’s just that it would take a lot of courage (some might say stupidity) to attack a Marine Corps base. For some months now, there has been a question continually raised concerning the cost of this war we are involved in. What will it cost the American taxpayer? Tens of billions of dollars, so we’re told. Figures far beyond my ability to grasp. But some in Congress want more specific answers. I ask you: how can the president, or anyone in the administration, possibly predict the cost of this war when we can’t even determine the length of the war? I’m not suggesting that we be fiscally irresponsible, but let’s be practical here. We’re talking about men and women who wear the uniform of our nation’s military, and who have now been asked to go into harm's way. These are our sons and daughters, our husbands and wives. I ask you: What price would you place on that? More disturbing to me, in light of the commencement of war against the regime in Iraq, is the cost of human life. To date, our losses have been surprisingly low. But that could all change. As I write this, we have American servicemen and a service woman who have been captured by Iraqi soldiers and then paraded before the ever-present cameras of the media. What price would you place on that? We have American service members who have lost their lives because of mechanical failure: a helicopter falls out of the sky; two British helicopters have a mid-air collision; a humvee crashes; and a British jet is shot down by one of our Patriot Missiles because the identification device was not operating, thus causing the aircraft to be unidentifiable to friendly forces. What price would you place on that? Then there’s the unconscionable behavior of a disgruntled American soldier who “frags” fellow soldiers with hand grenades, killing one of them. His reasons have not been determined. But what price would you place on that? As you drive onto the base here at Camp Pendleton, the flag is flying at half-mast. If you drive down the streets in the town of Oceanside just out the front gate, you will see American flags flying in front of the many business establishments, all in honor of the Marines who have been killed. You see, we’ve lost family. These Marines are real people with families who will never be the same because they will not be coming home. What price would you place on that? When you read this, we will have just held a memorial service on base for these Marines. What price would you place on that? These Marines are not innocuous figures. Instead, they are the best of America, volunteering to serve and to go into harm's way, fighting against an evil that seeks to destroy our nation and our way of life. Yes, they understood that this was a dangerous choice, but they were willing to step forward so that you and I can continue to live in freedom. What price would you place on that? So, when the politicos and pundits wrangle over the dollar cost of this war, remind them that the price is being paid, not simply in tax dollars, but through the courage and dedication of American military men and women who happen to be the best in the world. Thank God today for them, and thank God for your freedom. What price would you place on that? |
