Happy Birthday Marines!
Joe Carter:
After 9/11, we lost much of our innocence as a nation. And after the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, you're unlikely to find college students -- even at Evergreen -- who are unaware of the Marines. But it has been seven years since the terrorists attacked us on our own soil; time enough to allow us to relax our guard, if only slightly. Our military deserves much of the credit for providing us that breathing room. We haven’t won the war on terrorism yet, and we have many battles ahead -- including years of hard work rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet we can all take pride in the men and women of our military whose constant vigilance keeps our enemies outside the gates. Tomorrow we’ll reflect on this as we celebrate Veteran's Day. As they go about their work or enjoy their day off a few of our fellow countrymen will remember to shake the hands of our veterans and thank us for our service. But while I'll appreciate the generous sentiment what I really want is to see the day when they can take us for granted again. Because the world is a dangerous place, I realize that day won't come anytime soon. But because there are U.S. Marines in the world, I know that day will come again. Semper Fi and Happy 233rd Birthday, Marines.Michael Ledeen:
And they can. And do. I am still waiting for some ambitious writer to tell the amazing story of the medical technology that has emerged from this war, and the incredible generation of wounded vets now inspiring thousands of others — military and civilian — to throw themselves full bore into American life, and not take the soft option and withdraw. Happy Birthday, Marines. Thanks again.