For many reasons, there are a lot of people in this country who have begun to feel that the nation's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are essentially over, or nearing their ends.
Talk of a successful troop surge in Iraq makes it easy, or perhaps convenient, to assume that major conflicts and threats have passed there. Afghanistan, unfortunately, has always been a sort of forgotten war. The nation's political and practical focuses now are firmly on the economy. And, let's be honest, political leaders have done everything they can - for better and for worse - to convince Americans to not let the two wars impact their daily lives.
But this week in southern Wisconsin we are receiving an emotional reminder that the wars continue, and that they do indeed continue to hit home.
On Tuesday, the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Madison was the site of a sendoff ceremony for the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and six other Army National Guard units. There are 3,200 of our local men and women who soon will be deployed to Iraq. They are part of the largest deployment of Wisconsin National Guard forces since World War II.
On Wednesday, the 1158th Transportation Unit had its own sendoff ceremony in Beloit. There is another event planned today in Janesville, and there have been gatherings in other cities throughout the state in recent weeks.
The pictures to come from these events are heart-wrenching. On the front page of Wednesday's Monroe Times is the photo of Monroe Staff Sgt. Darrell Scace hugging his two daughters, 5 and 3 years old, goodbye before he gets back on the bus. Today, there's the photo of Spc. Tim Schmid of South Wayne, holding his 2-year-old daughter in his arms.
It's all a sobering reminder that our local men and women continue to put themselves in harm's way to serve our country, and protect us back at home. It's also a reminder of our need to continue to be thankful for their efforts and sacrifices, and that the families back home give up as much as our service members themselves do.
Sgt. Michael Bennett of Monroe said Wednesday the past year has been difficult. The members of the 1158th have known there were going to deploy for some time.
"I prefer the way they did it before," Bennett said. "Just give us a few days notice and send us out."
We understand. But our communities should be, and are, thankful to have had the opportunity to give them a proper sendoff. Hopefully, they know how proud we are of all of them.
Talk of a successful troop surge in Iraq makes it easy, or perhaps convenient, to assume that major conflicts and threats have passed there. Afghanistan, unfortunately, has always been a sort of forgotten war. The nation's political and practical focuses now are firmly on the economy. And, let's be honest, political leaders have done everything they can - for better and for worse - to convince Americans to not let the two wars impact their daily lives.
But this week in southern Wisconsin we are receiving an emotional reminder that the wars continue, and that they do indeed continue to hit home.
On Tuesday, the Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Madison was the site of a sendoff ceremony for the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and six other Army National Guard units. There are 3,200 of our local men and women who soon will be deployed to Iraq. They are part of the largest deployment of Wisconsin National Guard forces since World War II.
On Wednesday, the 1158th Transportation Unit had its own sendoff ceremony in Beloit. There is another event planned today in Janesville, and there have been gatherings in other cities throughout the state in recent weeks.
The pictures to come from these events are heart-wrenching. On the front page of Wednesday's Monroe Times is the photo of Monroe Staff Sgt. Darrell Scace hugging his two daughters, 5 and 3 years old, goodbye before he gets back on the bus. Today, there's the photo of Spc. Tim Schmid of South Wayne, holding his 2-year-old daughter in his arms.
It's all a sobering reminder that our local men and women continue to put themselves in harm's way to serve our country, and protect us back at home. It's also a reminder of our need to continue to be thankful for their efforts and sacrifices, and that the families back home give up as much as our service members themselves do.
Sgt. Michael Bennett of Monroe said Wednesday the past year has been difficult. The members of the 1158th have known there were going to deploy for some time.
"I prefer the way they did it before," Bennett said. "Just give us a few days notice and send us out."
We understand. But our communities should be, and are, thankful to have had the opportunity to give them a proper sendoff. Hopefully, they know how proud we are of all of them.
