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Hearts and minds
In our travels around the county, and in countless conversations with residents, the message we’re hearing directed at our men and women fighting in the Persian Gulf under the Stars and Stripes is that there are thousands of us worried about them, missing them and wanting them to know they’re in our hearts and minds daily.
For some county residents, those with immediate relatives in the sand or stationed off the coast on ships, the prospect of a ground war holds a most terrifying thought: that their loved ones may have to die in the service of our country. The men and womenjn the Gulf ought to know that their parents, spouses and children are proud of them and all share one hope: that they will return safely.
For those veterans who fought past wars, and Rappahannock has more than its share, the Gulf war has rekindled the emotions and memories of their patriotic sacrifice. One retired Marine officer, a veteran of the Vietnam War, said he has told more war stories in six months than in 20 years. We all hope the story of the Gulf war will be shorter and less bloody.
We also hope that Gulf war veterans are treated like the heroes they already are, and in Rappahannock, at least, judging by the yellow ribbons ahd American flags displayed across the county, there’s no doubt they will be.
We can be that certain because by any measure the outpouring of support has already been astounding. Every day we at the newspaper hear about another group forming, another symbolic act being performed, another soldier being told by his or her family that we’re waiting for your return.
It hasn’t been a very long war so far, and there’s no way to be sure how long it will last. But there’s no question that given the depth of support in this community, no matter how long it takes we’ll be ready to welcome home our men and women with open arms.
The young men and women fighting in Operation Desert Storm should know that a vast majority of Americans support President Bush, the Congress and the United Nations in choosing military action to root out Saddam Hussein from Kuwait.
Though vocal, and not infrequently obnoxious, there is a minority of Americans who say they support the troops but oppose the war. However, you can’t have it both ways. It’s impossible to say that I hate what you’re doing but I support you personally.
Unhappily, war is the final alternative. Saddam Hussein has guns, poison gas and the potential for nuclear weapons. He is a ruthless agressor and has never had a weapon that he didn’t use.
To our fighting men and women in the Gulf: You are fighting a “just” war — and America knows it.
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