The Clipboard: A poignant day for the troops in Iraq

From an article¹:

Memorial Day, often observed with as much recreation as remembrance, properly recaptures its solemnity during a time of war. And this holiday takes on additional poignancy when our soldiers are making the ultimate sacrifice for a war that was immorally conceived and has been incompetently managed.
More than 1,600 Americans have died in Iraq. At least 11,000 thousand have been reported wounded, but unofficial counts put that number as high as 25,000 or more.

And then there are the countless other soldiers suffering from mental trauma that could plague them the rest of their lives.

Two years ago this month, George Bush declared victory under a banner stating "Mission Accomplished." But those truly scarred by this war -- grieving widows, bedridden veterans at Walter Reed Hospital, active soldiers making due without body armor -- know that was just political propaganda.

There is only one way to support the troops -- by beginning their withdrawal from Iraq and bringing them home to their families. (link)

Support the troops, bring them home.

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Complete text of the article, A poignant day for the troops in Iraq, by Lynn Woolsey and Tim Goodrich

Memorial Day, often observed with as much recreation as remembrance, properly recaptures its solemnity during a time of war. And this holiday takes on additional poignancy when our soldiers are making the ultimate sacrifice for a war that was immorally conceived and has been incompetently managed.
More than 1,600 Americans have died in Iraq. At least 11,000 thousand have been reported wounded, but unofficial counts put that number as high as 25,000 or more.

And then there are the countless other soldiers suffering from mental trauma that could plague them the rest of their lives.

Two years ago this month, George Bush declared victory under a banner stating "Mission Accomplished." But those truly scarred by this war -- grieving widows, bedridden veterans at Walter Reed Hospital, active soldiers making due without body armor -- know that was just political propaganda.

There is only one way to support the troops -- by beginning their withdrawal from Iraq and bringing them home to their families.

A majority of Americans, according to recent polling, are for the troops but against this war. So it's only natural that those on the front lines are doing the same.

It's a common misperception that soldiers are lockstep supporters of the Bush administration's Iraq policy. But many Americans who have served since Sept. 11, 2001 -- active duty, National Guard and reservists -- are members of Iraq Veterans Against the War, which was organized last summer. IVAW has many members who remain on the ground in Iraq, whose confidentiality is guaranteed by the organization.

These men and women have the greatest moral authority to talk about the depravity and dishonesty associated with this war. They are the ones who were sent, under false premises, on an ill-defined mission, with the promise that they would be embraced as liberators.

They know firsthand the resentment bred by the American occupation; they know firsthand that the insurgency has not abated, because they remain its direct target; they know firsthand that this misadventure is the best recruitment tool al-Qaida's ever had.

The war is an unconscionable betrayal of founding American principles. Military action should be a last resort, not a pre-emptive impulse.

The Constitution, according to its preamble, was "ordain(ed) and "establish(ed)" by "We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union (and) ... provide for the common defense."

Defense. The military exists to defend Americans against those who threaten us. It is not intended to be an instrument of offense against sovereign nations, however despotic their regimes.

And the exploitation of our soldiers doesn't end when their tours are over.

How do our leaders show their gratitude to those who are lucky enough to make it home? By pinching pennies on veterans' benefits and forcing them to pay more for the health care they need because they were put in harm's way for the rest of us.

If the war's human cost is not compelling enough, consider the economic cost to the nation. The price tag for Iraq has now climbed above $200 billion, in a nation buckling under the strain of debt and still neglecting many domestic priorities in areas like education and health care.

The social, political and economic reconstruction of Iraq must continue to be a priority. But that is a development task, not a military mission, which cannot be accomplished in the context of an occupation.

Furthermore, there must be accountability in the reconstruction process, which has been marred by reports of mismanagement and corruption. Earlier this month, government investigators revealed that nearly $100 million in construction money has disappeared and was possibly embezzled.

Let's make this Memorial Day more than the traditional day of mourning and tribute. Let's make it a day of action. Let's dedicate ourselves, as a nation, to ending this violent, unnecessary conflict.

To honor those who have already died in this war and others, let's ensure that the grave plot next to them remains vacant.

reference=http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=365282&category=OPINION&newsdate=5/30/2005