Our troops…what would we do, where would we be, without the men and women who are willing to serve? Anyone remembers the Roman Empire? Not too many of you? Exactly. Although technically, the US is not an empire, as it does not have the appetite to conquer and control, it is a world force, along the lines of the true empires of history.

The main difference between the typical empire, and the US “empire” is that the US empire runs to assist a country in distress, and then moves along, or sets up bases to continue to protect the distressed country, without exacting tribute, or taking over the governing of the rescued country. That is where those willing men and women come in. They are sent to do the dirty work, and let’s be honest here, they sometimes come home to “dirty” treatment. Does the name “cannon fodder” ring a bell?

You guessed it. Today’s tribute is to our troops. On this day, September 8, 2011, almost ten years after September 11, 2001, I will attempt to praise our troops. In previous posts on the month of tributes from this blog, I attempted to look at the economic costs of 9/11. The cost of lives among the civilian population was also repeatedly discussed. What about among the US Military? Is that cost ever totally calculable? Not really. But – let’s take a stab at it.
 
It is ironic how, what is now considered “violent rhetoric'” creeps into one’s vocabulary. Up to a year ago or so, having used the word “stab,” I would not have given it a second thought, but here I am second guessing myself. What the heck? I used a common enough phrase and I am sticking to my guns! Old habits die hard! I have now moved to the verbiage of “guns.” Oh, well – I am talking about troops. I am on the right path and using the appropriate language.

I like this About.com article, “The Cost of War,” because it deals precisely with the toll of war on the lives of the flesh and blood men and women we send out to fight for us, so that we do not have to fight for ourselves. The very first paragraph lays out for us what we should consider important:

During the month when Americans recall the horrors of September 11, 2001, it's important that we pause and reflect on the ultimate cost of war -- not in terms of dollars, but something much more valuable -- the lives of our brave service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the "War on Terrorism."

I have just one small correction. In the “politically charged” atmosphere in which we now operate, “War on Terrorism” is verboten. It is now “Overseas Contingency Operations,” in which we are enjoined because of “man-made disasters.” The killers who caused us to engage in whatever name we want to call it – I call it KKT “Kill, Kill Terrorists,” are not very appreciative of the name change. They continue to kill civilian, military – it does not matter. They enjoy killing, especially children, women and our troops.

We continue to send our men and women out to fight this war under conflicting and convoluted ROEs (Rules of Engagement), and they are paying the price. It broke my heart when I saw the following stats:

Ages 18-21 -- 28.2% (1,325) of the deaths
Ages 22-24 -- 23.7% (1,108) of the deaths
Ages 25-30 -- 25.6% (1,198) of the deaths
Ages 31-35 -- 10.4% (486) of the deaths
Over 35 -- 12.1% (566) of the deaths

Ages 18 through 30 – the future –  is being wiped out. After each wipe out, the politicians say the appropriate words. The grieving families get the caskets, nicely draped with American Flags. For the rest of us, “life goes on.”

When I saw this Washington Times article which states that “August has become the deadliest month for US troops in the nearly 10-year old war in Afghanistan," I was almost in disbelief – almost. Ten years into this war, overseas whatever, and our troops are losing their lives in greater numbers? I will keep repeating it and I do not care if I am labeled a “conspiracy theorist.” I find the helicopter crash of the plane with those SEALs, highly suspicious.

I can see how this all is going to end. More than ten years after at first winning the war, the US is going to do a Soviet Union, and crawl out of Afghanistan. The Taliban, and Al-Qaeda (not to be mentioned at this 10-year anniversary), are going to re-assume their control, and things will be back to “normal.” The US troops – thousands of them – will be dead.

Some who already are dead – killed on 9/11, include Lt. Cmdr Eric Allen Cranford, of the US Navy. He was one who was killed at the Pentagon. Captain Robert Edward Dolan, also of the Navy, a “guy’s guy,” a “friend to everybody, and a hero to those who knew him,” was also killed at the Pentagon. He sounded like a gentleman with whom one could have a beer, and be safe knowing that should danger arise, he would  handle it.

The Pentagon lost a computer guy, when Craig Amundson was killed. Even more importantly, his family lost a member who adored his family, who “had an easy laugh, and who was optimistic. He was also a generous man, as evidenced by his contribution to Star Pharmacy. His epitaph could be summed up:

He adored them so much that he turned down a recent promotion because it would have separated him from his family for a while.

How many of us would have turned down a promotion, more money, more prestige, because of separation from our families? My hand is not being raised. It remains on the keyboard.

The deaths continue. As recently as August 25, 2011, Pfc. Brandon S. Mullins “gave all.”  The following gives us an idea of the soldier that we lost:

With an attack jet roaring overhead, Lt. Col. Stephen Miller, 3rd Bn., 21st Inf. Reg., Gimlet battalion commander  said, “It never seems to fail that those that we lose are the very best among us. Everyone will remember Brandon’s impatience with those he thought weren’t moving fast enough and his brute strength and force he would employ to get things done.

My eyes are constantly being “moisturized” through no effort on my part. Those tear ducts are too super efficient.  Pfc. Mullins was 21 – just turned the age where he could finally throw back a beer or two and could vote.

What about those Vets who are fortunate to return with their lives? Some return with limbs missing, nursing emotional distress, and often without employment prospects. This Yahoo.com article gives a firsthand account of the situation where many Veterans are “one paycheck away from being homeless.”  You serve. You return. You move from the desert to the streets? It is times such as these that I wish that I had money to just give away. Veterans would be first on that list. If there is any consolation in facing such dire circumstances, at least these Veterans have their freedom.

Not so lucky have been Veterans such as Michael Behenna , and his fellow comrades in arms, chains (figuratively speaking, of course), the others of the Leavenworth Ten.  I was sent a link to this letter that Michael wrote from his prison cell, and I could not believe the wisdom, good cheer, and resolve. I am not making Michael out to be a saint, but I thought of the letters that the Apostle Paul sent from his prison cell – letters that sounded as if he had been comfortably sitting at his writing desk, not chained to a prison guard. I was very impressed with this young man, Michael, who could write the following excerpts, even in the face of his lost freedom:

Expectation is not the same as hope and I promise you I have not lost that. 

No one can harm the man who refuses to harm himself.

So this court decision does not discourage at all.  Furthermore, I am not bitter or angry, nor do I hate the people that had anything to do with putting me in prison.  If I hated them they would still be controlling me and I refuse to give them that power.  They may have confined my body and taken my physical freedom away, but my mind remains as free as any mans. 

I am never left with nothing so long as I retain the freedom to choose how I respond.  While we cannot always control what happens to us, we can control our emotions and how we react to what happens to us.

Gratitude is not something one would expect to find behind these walls, but it is here where I found it…waiting to teach me what really matters in this life.  And while I sleep she gently reminds me how truly blessed my life is.

Michael, if I were wearing a hat, I would tip it to you. You are a better person than many of us are. I cannot tell how I would react to being unjustly imprisoned. Ironically, Michael could end up spending more time in prison than some members of “Terror, Inc.”

Despite the deaths, the missing limbs, the non-existent job opportunities, all is not lost. There are numbers of individuals and groups out there trying to help our Vets. This CBN.com gives a behind the scenes look at Camp Patriot, where Vets can go to heal and achieve.  

Iraqi Veteran Troy Yocum has shown all couch potatoes, present company included, how one man walking, and banging his drum, can make a difference. His wife Mareike should really be given a medal of some sort. How many wives would not have tried to talk their husbands out of this “hare-brained scheme”? Truthfully, I would have told hubby, “love you, honey – call me from the road.” Well, maybe not quite like that, but close enough.
 
USA Cares is exactly what the name says. It is an organization that cares about military families and exists to provide “post 9/11 military families with financial and advocacy support in their time of need.”

What would a tribute to our Vets be without The Warrior Song? It would be inadequate. A Soldier's Prayer by Collin Raye is also inspiring. Continuing along the road of inspiration, what hymn could be more inspiring than Rock of Ages, sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford?

God is Our Rock of Ages, but I firmly believe that He allows earthly “rocks throughout the ages,” identified as troops, to come forward and protect this land. May we never forget to Whom, and to whom, we owe the continuing existence of the nation. Gratitude becomes a nation.

May God bless America.