American Heroes

American Heroes, originally uploaded by ArcherVision.

As we have just started the tenth year post 9-11, I am reminded of the consequences of that day. And the fact that they still are being faced by our braves troops, everyday. I met one of those solders today. He was enjoying a nice early fall day in New England, a picnic, some smoked chicken and had about 3 days before he returns to Afghanistan.

I have to wonder about Americans across the country today, enjoying their picnics and their freedom. Wonder how many of us do remember. How many of us do, in fact realize that as of today, a reasonable estimate of the amount of lives lost due to the war on terror, since 9-11 stands at roughly 146,000 lives.

Twice the number of American boys lost in Viet Nam. When the war in Viet Nam finally ended, I was about nine years old. The same amount of years since that day in 2001. And conflict ended in large part due to the activism and relentless Americanism of a generation that at the time was considered deadbeats. Well, I have to say that in no way does it seem that the same devotion to right exists today in the younger Americans.

Today, our 20-Somethings are more likely to be playing video games , ironically often war games, then they would to decide to get out and protest something. Like 146,000 lives lost. Of course, who do you protest against in this case? The terrorists don't seem deterred by large crowds with banners, regardless of what the banners might say on them. The wack-jobs on both sides that use religion as a convenient reason to keep on killing are the ones to blame.

But, they are scattered . Like rats. In hills and mountains of Afghanistan, the dirty suburbs of Baghdad, in the terror-friendly places like Pakistan, and even right here in our cities and towns of America. I often fly through the same gates those terrorist went through in Boston. And on Tuesday, while your at work, or at the grocery store, a brave young man named Brandon, and others like him, will board planes in Boston and Baltimore, Los Angeles and Louisville.

They will be headed back to places like Bagram and Tirkrit. They will face perils that match any that Americans have faced in war. Does not matter if the battlefield is a marketplace or random road through the dirt somewhere 7000 miles away from our picnic baskets and beer parties. It's the same battlefield as always. It is the battle for freedom. Freedom from tyranny, and freedom terrorism.

In a way, it is the same battlefield that Daniel Dodge fought on. Same battlefield a countless number lost their lives on in the pursuit of freedom and peace around the world, and here at home. Here in America, September 11th has become a day to remember, and a day to be thankful for our freedom, and the ones that make that possible.

It should also be a day to remember that peace is fragile and needs to be preserved. Yes, sometimes through might. But it is also though our collective determination to continue to be free, while always keeping in mind the price.