August 11 , 2005

In Tribute to Lima Company 

COLUMBUS – Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-Upper Arlington) today issued the following editorial:

Over the course of the past three weeks, we have all reacted with profound sadness upon learning of the news of the fallen Ohio soldiers in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  Throughout Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Ohio has shouldered an enormous share of the sacrifice, but no one has shouldered a greater share than the soldiers and families of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Regiment, based in Columbus.

On Wednesday, August 3rd, 14 Marines were killed in western Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded under their amphibious assault vehicle.  Nine of those killed were assigned to Lima Company.  Since its deployment, Lima Company has lost 15 of its 160 men in the region.

The 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines’ reputation is legendary.  First activated on May 1, 1943, the 3/25 captured a key airfield at the Battle of Iwo Jima in the Pacific. It fought heroically in the battles of Saipan, Tinian, and Kwajalein Atoll, and Colonel Justice Marino Chambers received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery as Commander of the 3/25 at Iwo Jima.  Deactivated following the conclusion of WWII, members of the battalion were reactivated in January and went to Iraq in March.

Sitting stateside, it is impossible to fully comprehend the dangerous mission these marines are undertaking in Iraq.  Many are tasked with going town to town, door to door in search of armed insurgents along the Euphrates River.  As Iraqi officials continue to finalize the nation’s constitution and outline for a democratic Iraq, increasingly desperate insurgents are staging more frequent attacks on our soldiers and Iraqi police forces.  The nine members of Lima Company tragically killed last week were in integral part of the effort to suppress these uprisings.

When confronted with this kind of devastating news, we all search for some perspective, trying to balance the sacrifices made by these brave Marines with the historically important things our soldiers are doing in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  We take some solace in knowing that upon the ratification of the Iraqi constitution and the installation of the new government, there will be more Middle Easterners living in freedom under democratically elected governments than at any point in the history of the region.

The War on Terror has led to additional, collateral developments in the region, adding to the safety and security of both the area and the United States.  We have witnessed free elections in Palestine and the election of a peace-oriented leader.  Saudi Arabia has held limited elections, and Syria has ended its occupation of Lebanon.  Libya’s nuclear program has been dismantled, and Egypt is allowing for challengers to compete in a public election against the sitting president.  Clearly, this democratic domino effect portends a safer, freer future for the people of the Middle East and the world.

However, such developments do little to stem the incomprehensible grief felt by the loved ones of the Lima Company Marines as they attempt to cope with this devastating news.  While we as a nation collectively mourn for their loss, we take some comfort in knowing that America and freedom loving people across the planet are safer because of the heroism and sacrifice of Lima Company.