THOSE WHO SERVE

With all of the intense testimony last week from General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker about the big picture in Iraq, benchmarks, and U.S. expenditures, it is important that we not lose sight of the personal sacrifices being made by the young men and women who are serving their country in America’s longest war and the dangers they face on a daily basis.

First Time Since 1973
For the first time since the draft ended 35 years ago, the United States is fighting a protracted war with an all-volunteer force. The strain on individual service members and their families is apparent. Because the military is voluntary the sacrifices are born by relatively few.

World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam relied on conscription which spread the burden among many. With the all volunteer military, there isn't as broad an impact on society because far fewer serve than do not serve. Thus, most Americans do not feel the war in Iraq directly or personally in the same way a family with someone in the military does.

Although I have visited Iraq four times and met with countless soldiers and their families, I felt a more personal connection than ever last week when I saw news story about the battle of Sadr City that featured a young man who I watched grow up in Nebraska.

A Day In November
The soldier was Army Captain Logan Veath of Chadron, Nebraska. It was just five months ago that Logan and I got together, the day before Veterans Day, at a reunion of the Big Red Battalion, the University of Nebraska's ROTC unit, which Captain Veath was a member of at the University.

That day last November we sure had a lot of fun. His whole family was there. Logan was dressed like an honest to goodness cowboy, because that's what he is in Nebraska. I almost didn't recognize him in the news story with a Kevlar helmet on his head instead of a cowboy hat. An M-4 Carbine had replaced his six shooter.

I felt a sense of great pride and admiration at the courage he displayed, but I also worried for him as he led his troops on a dangerous combat mission, holding my breath and praying that nothing would happen to him. After all, I've known him since he was 16.

A Brief Glimpse
For a moment, I had a brief glimpse into how the family of a soldier must feel every day of the 15 months their loved one is away, sometimes serving more than one tour of duty. For Logan, it was his sixth tour in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It was a vivid reminder of the sacrifices made by all members of the military and their families who one day carry on their lives safe at home, and the next day find themselves or their loved ones in the thick of battle.

God Speed to Captain Logan Veath. God Speed to all the men and women in our military. God Bless their families. They are all our heroes. America will always be in their debt.

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	Column	April 14, 2008
THOSE WHO SERVE With all of the intense testimony last week from General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker about the big picture in Iraq, benchmarks, and U.S. expenditures, it is important that we not lose sight of the personal sacrifices being made by the young men and women who are serving their country in America’s longest war and the dangers they face on a daily basis. First Time Since 1973 For the first time since the draft ended 35 years ago, the United States is fighting a protracted war with an all-volunteer force. The strain on individual service members and their families is apparent. Because the military is voluntary the sacrifices are born by relatively few. World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam relied on conscription which spread the burden among many. With the all volunteer military, there isn't as broad an impact on society because far fewer serve than do not serve. Thus, most Americans do not feel the war in Iraq directly or personally in the same way a family with someone in the military does. Although I have visited Iraq four times and met with countless soldiers and their families, I felt a more personal connection than ever last week when I saw news story about the battle of Sadr City that featured a young man who I watched grow up in Nebraska. A Day In November The soldier was Army Captain Logan Veath of Chadron, Nebraska. It was just five months ago that Logan and I got together, the day before Veterans Day, at a reunion of the Big Red Battalion, the University of Nebraska's ROTC unit, which Captain Veath was a member of at the University. That day last November we sure had a lot of fun. His whole family was there. Logan was dressed like an honest to goodness cowboy, because that's what he is in Nebraska. I almost didn't recognize him in the news story with a Kevlar helmet on his head instead of a cowboy hat. An M-4 Carbine had replaced his six shooter. I felt a sense of great pride and admiration at the courage he displayed, but I also worried for him as he led his troops on a dangerous combat mission, holding my breath and praying that nothing would happen to him. After all, I've known him since he was 16. A Brief Glimpse For a moment, I had a brief glimpse into how the family of a soldier must feel every day of the 15 months their loved one is away, sometimes serving more than one tour of duty. For Logan, it was his sixth tour in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was a vivid reminder of the sacrifices made by all members of the military and their families who one day carry on their lives safe at home, and the next day find themselves or their loved ones in the thick of battle. God Speed to Captain Logan Veath. God Speed to all the men and women in our military. God Bless their families. They are all our heroes. America will always be in their debt. ###