With the House debating this week how much "non-binding" grief to lay on
President Bush about Iraq, I e-mailed a soldier friend of mine for his
impressions of the increasingly amplified protests.
Army Sgt. Daniel Dobson, 22, of Grand Rapids, Mich., is on his second tour
in Iraq. I asked him what he thinks of the growing opposition to the war.
Writing from Mosul, he says he appreciates the freedom Americans have to
protest, but adds:
"The American military has shown a stone-cold professional veneer throughout
the seething debate raging over Iraq. Beneath that veneer, however, is a
fuming, visceral hatred. We feel as though we have been betrayed by
Congress."
Sgt. Dobson believes the military is being hamstrung against an enemy with
no reservations or restrictions:
"It is our overwhelming opinion that we have not been allowed to conduct the
war to the fullest of our capability; neither do we feel that we should pull
out because of a lack of results.' War is not a chemistry set with
predetermined outcomes or complications. With a great army matched with an
equally cunning enemy, we find ourselves in a difficult, but winnable fight.
We do not seek results; rather, we seek total and unequivocal victory."
It's been a while since anyone spoke of "victory." Critics ask war
supporters to define the word. Sgt. Dobson makes an effort: "That victory is
close at hand. With nearly 80 percent of all terrorist and insurgent
activity within 50 miles of Baghdad, the sheer thought of not taking out
this stronghold is madness. If we can eliminate 80 percent of terrorist
activity, the war is nearly won. To throw away a battle of this magnificent
importance would be to waste the suffering and the sacrifice of American
service members."
What of the effect on the troops from anti-war remarks on the streets and in
Congress? Some assert it doesn't hurt troop morale. Sgt. Dobson disagrees:
"The question has been posed to me recently what congressional resolution
hurts troop morale the most. No doubt we would be happy to come home
tomorrow. But the thought is bittersweet. Most service members would tell
you the same thing: there is no honor in retreat Š and there is no honor in
what the Democrats have proposed. It stings me to the core to think that
Americans would rather sell their honor than fight for a cause. Those of us
who fight for (peace) know all too well that peace has a very bloody price
tag."
To make his point, he tells a story: "An army once marched on the great city
of Rome. The emperor, fearing for the future of the Roman Empire, sent the
Empire's greatest warrior to the camp of the general to negotiate the
cessation of hostilities. After several hours with the general, he asked the
warrior just how much he loved Rome. Without thinking, the warrior rose and
walked to a fire and stuck his right hand in the flames until it was
completely burned away. This,' the warrior said is how much all Romans
love Rome.' The general, struck with fear, said that if all Romans should
have the same spirit as this warrior, he could not afford war with Rome, and
so retreated back to his homeland.
"I fear that when questioned of their love for country, many Americans would
shy from the flames. It breaks our hearts to see our nation, which was more
of a Union on Sept. 12, (2001) fall to such petty bickering. No longer
are we (one) out of many, but have fallen from one into many. We on the
front lines long to see the white-fisted, purple-faced, raging hatred for
our enemies that we saw on the morning of the 12th. We long to see America
seeking victory as much as we do"
Sgt. Dobson has another wish beyond the desire to come home and a successful
ending to the conflict:
"We need to drop the politics and get back to what really matters: Our
nation and its future. The question, therefore, lies in what will leave
scars on our national spirit; a war in Iraq, or a war between Americans..."
To the recurring question about patriotism and policy, Sgt. Dobson replies:
"I would never presume to call anyone's love for country into question I
ask the same of you. Truly our nation's honor is at stake, and we have been
given the opportunity to put our hand to the flame. Should we now, in our
moment of testing, shy from it? When asked how much we love our country,
should we call retreat? No, we stand at a moment of great truth, let us now
show our enemies just how much we love America and our way of life. Let us
show them our love of country is as great as it ever was."
Pro, or anti-war, you've got to admire Sgt. Dobson and the other virtuous
and committed young men and women our military attracts.