All people who share the privilege of being called an American should pause to be thankful that we still have courageous citizens who volunteer to serve our country in the United States Armed Forces.  We must support our troops as they carry out Operation Iraqi Freedom not only to liberate the people of Iraq but to eradicate a global threat.  We especially remember the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives on behalf of freedom. We pray for their families and their loved one that the peace of God which "passeth all understanding" will somehow be with them through these difficult days.

 We have heard our entire lives, "freedom is not free."  Every generation at some point must answer this call. Throughout history our freedom was secured with the blood of our fathers in places like Valley Forge, San Juan Hill, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Normandy, Okinawa, Korea and Khe Sanh.

Today our freedom is being protected in the deserts of Iraq by our bravest sons and daughters who did not choose this fight but are willing to stand between a heinous threat and our civilian population. We are engaged in a global and long term war to remove serious threats and to reverse the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

It has been many years since we have fought a hellish war.  Perhaps web became too comfortable watching Operation Desert Storm and the air campaigns of Bosnia and Kosovo. This conflict is more difficult and will not be without great pain and loss of life. Our troops in the Middle East are heroes and the fallen soldiers have not died in vain.  We must remember their courage.  We must never forget their sacrifice.  And we must persevere for this cause of freedom.