Support for our troops overseas

The decision to enter into a war should only be made if the long-term benefits outweigh the risks and inevitable loss of life from both sides. Our nation's president, along with other world leaders, has made that decision. We are now a nation at war.

Arguments can be made on both sides of the issue as to whether or not we should be involved in this war. Yes, we need to defend our country against terrorism. For many years, Americans went about their daily routines with nary a thought given to the possibility of a terrorist attack occurring on our ground. Terrorism is something that happened 'somewhere else,' a 'not in my backyard' philosophy. Sept. 11, 2001 changed everything -- the images of that terrible day will be etched in our minds for many years to come. Yes, there are terrible atrocities being inflicted upon many of the Iraqi people. Saddam Hussein and his regime have shown time and again unconscionable repercussions to those who dare stand against him in 'his' country. Even today, innocent men, women and children are reportedly being used as human shields to protect those loyal to Hussein. And, reportedly, those who refuse to fight against the coalition forces, or those who even wave to our troops, are executed by the Iraqi military.

There are those who say we have no right waging war on Iraq. It's their contention that how Iraqis choose to run their country is none of our business. They say we should just leave them alone. Who do we think we are telling other countries how to conduct themselves? Why should we place our troops in harm's way because the beliefs of another country differ from ours?

Others claim the U.S. is only fighting this war to gain control over the valuable oil resources located in Iraq.

Regardless of which faction you side with, the one issue we should all agree upon is the support of our troops. These courageous men and women stand ready to defend one thing we hold sacred in the United States, our freedom. Many give the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country and the ideologies we were founded on. These brave and spirited individuals are sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, wives and husbands, sisters and brothers. They have friends and relatives at home in the United States who can barely tear themselves away from the television and round-the-clock war coverage, hoping for just a glimpse of their loved ones. These same people hold their breath and pray fervently with each report of injury or fatality.

It's difficult to live in this part of Alaska and not know someone who has a friend or loved one currently serving a tour of duty in the Iraq conflict. While attending a Wasilla Sunrise Rotary meeting a few weeks ago, three members announced they had children stationed in Kuwait awaiting further orders. Several employees of this newspaper have relatives and friends serving as well. Jody Davis, my oldest son's friend since early childhood, had his Marine unit deployed for the conflict nearly a month ago and is moving closer to Baghdad with each passing day. My husband and I find ourselves following Fox News every day (as one of their network reporters is embedded with his division) keeping a watchful eye out for him and staying current on the combat his division is enduring. And Jeremy Menerey, the son of a Frontiersman employee, is serving with the Army's Third Infantry. His division also has an embedded reporter whose reports we monitor closely.

This war isn't just a conflict occurring thousands of miles away. This war is personal, touching the lives of many people here at home on many emotional levels. When we, as a newspaper printed in our editorial on March 25 that we hope that President Bush will "lose sleep and work late into the night to help ensure a quick end to the conflict and a long peace to follow," It's not because we are protesting the war, nor is it because we are anti-Bush. It's because we sincerely want to see our troops come home quickly and safely. We want to see minimal casualties. We want to see a long post-war peace so our troops won't have to remain in Iraq for an extended period on peace-keeping missions.

Whether or not you agree with the position the United States and the coalition forces have taken in Iraq, and whether or not you choose to fly the red, white and blue; I hope you'll join me in flying at least one color, yellow, show troops you support them. Pray for their safety and their safe and swift return. After all, It's their support of you that gives you the freedom to disagree.