Here we are in college living our college lives, going to our college parties; living a cocoon-like existence. This week, as we celebrate Homecoming, another young man I knew is coming back home, though not the way he would have wanted to. He arrived in a casket, bringing the war in Iraq closer to home and back into my thoughts.
My friend died on Oct. 7, 2005 while stationed in Iraq. His Battalion commander gave a speech at his funeral saying my classmate was someone who was always high-spirited. We all could agree with that statement because he was the life of the party. He continued to say before my friend went into the Army, he was told to answer the question, “Why do you want to be a soldier?” His commander said he responded, “I think I would make a pretty darn good soldier.” His commander said that sentence stuck out the most in his letter.
But my classmate died more than a “pretty darn good soldier” but as a friend, a brother, a son and someone who will always be remembered as a protector of our country.
There is a war over in Iraq where people just like us are dying. But this is not Vietnam – there is no draft, nor is the media covering it as well as it should be. Nevertheless, many of my fellow classmates are quick to defend the war as a necessary evil.
I come from a strong military family, where members have served in almost every military branch. My goddaughter is the child of two parents who are in the Navy. My family has already devised a plan if they would ever be called to war. At four, she already knows her parents could be sent to war. She doesn’t know where Iraq is but is familiar with the term and dreads the day her parents may be called.
The war in Iraq is a common discussion in my house being that at any time my brother, cousins and friends could be called to war. Although my brother says he’s safe for now, he admits his time will come soon and that he has been lucky in his stationing thus far. But for others, luck won’t be on their side.
Seven U.S. soldiers were killed Monday in Iraq. The seven deaths bring the number of U.S. troops who have died in Iraq this month to 90, the highest number of American deaths there since January.
At the time I am writing this column, a total of 2,025 U.S. military personnel have died in Iraq since the war began in March 2003, according to the Associated Press.
President Bush said Saturday in his weekly radio address “the best way to honor the sacrifice of our fallen troops is to complete the mission and win the war on terror.” Bush said “winning” was the best way to combat terrorism in the U.S.
How certain can anyone be that winning the war in Iraq will stop terrorism? That predicament may just be unrealistically high hopes.
I could go around and ask students on campus one simple question, “Why are we at war with Iraq?” I am sure I would receive many answers because even I am not sure of the answer. Some blame Sept. 11 and say the war is on terrorism. There are even speculators who believe oil is the root of the war. Others may still be saying, “Oh! I got it, we still have to find those weapons of mass destruction, and we still haven’t found Osama bin Laden.” But even he is a hazy reminder of why we went to war in Iraq. But it wasn’t that long ago when he was public enemy number one.
For the first time, a majority of Americans believe the Iraq war was the “wrong thing to do,” according to a new poll in the Wall Street Journal. Some 53 percent of those surveyed said they felt taking military action against Iraq was the wrong move, against 34 percent who thought it was correct.
In the meantime, Bush’s personal popularity is also at an all-time low. The commander-in-chief is standing firm on the Iraq mission, but events may send the political and economical costs of the war even higher.
Congress already has approved $62 billion for hurricane relief efforts in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and this number is expected to greatly increase. The government is spending roughly over $5 billion a month on the war in Iraq and has spent over $200 billion to date according to an Associated Press Poll.
My support lies with the troops who have to fight this war even if I am against the war itself. Everyone can argue we all have some kind of personal claim to the war in Iraq because we are Americans. Personally, I could argue that until the war hits home like it has for thousands of mothers and fathers who have had to bury their children, personal claim is not as valuable.
Remember, whether you support the war or not, always support our soldiers as they make the ultimate sacrifice to be the guardians of our freedom. For even they do not know when and how the war in Iraq will end but are forced to continue a war of uncertainty.
 
Sevetri is a mass communication sophomore. Contact her a swilson@lsureveille.com