Brave Soldiers

I just watched a special on tv about a raid on a house in Iraq where terrorists were supposed to be holed up. After the soldiers went in they discovered that no one was there - there wasn't even any furniture in the place. They began to believe that they had been set up. As they were leaving they had to go past a Mosque that they had passed on the way to the house they had just raided. As they passed the Mosque shots were fired at them from all angles - snipers were positioned all around them.

This tv special focused on four reservists' lives and their feelings and reactions to being called to active duty. Every one of them were proud to serve their country and were ready to go when they got the call. All were young, in their early twenties.

After the raid and the gunfight, everyone in their vehicle had survived the fight in good shape and then all of a sudden, right before they were out of firing range, a grenade hit their vehicle killing two of the four immediately and critically injuring the other two. The two who were still alive were treated and sent by helicopter to another facility for more treatment. They both died during the flight.

The point of retelling this story is that I wanted to express my everlasting gratitude and pride in these young men (and women) who have shown so much courage and valor in supporting and defending this country. If I were in the same situation, I don't know if I would be as brave as they have been. My heart goes out to all the families who have lost their sons and daughters. I wish there was some way to express my feelings to all of them.

(I've often thought that it's the older people who should fight the wars. They are usually the ones that start them and the wars probably wouldn't last as long because the older soldiers wouldn't be able to hold up under the stress and they would think twice before starting another one, too.)