TERRE HAUTE — Today, the nation pauses and hopes for the best on a sobering, complex Veterans Day 2009.
We should pause to remember the sacrifices made by nearly 1.5 million active-duty members of the United States’ Armed Forces, as well as 850,000 Americans serving reserve military duty. Certainly, also, we remember U.S. veterans — the late and the living — who answered the call.
Often forgotten, too, are the sacrifices made by the families of those servicemen and women, the hardships they endure — personally and financially — while loved ones commit time away from home. Those husbands, wives, sons and daughters deserve thanks and support.
The country owes an immense debt of gratitude to soldiers who lost their lives while in uniform, and to their families. Each of the fallen gave up their future for a cause. The Terre Haute community feels that loss, particularly, as one of its own — U.S. Army Sgt. Dale Griffin, who was killed Oct. 27 in Afghanistan — is laid to rest in his hometown today.
Amid that grief, the nation also struggles to comprehend the tragedy last Thursday at Fort Hood, Texas, where a conflicted Army psychiatrist opened fire on fellow soldiers. Thirteen of his victims died. Another 29 were wounded. The physical and mental scars left by the attack will take time to heal. The incident merits careful investigation — not only to understand what happened, but also to learn whether signs of such explosive behavior can be detected to prevent similar catastrophes.
Americans also should hope that President Obama makes a prudent decision about the course of the war in Afghanistan. Currently, 68,000 U.S. troops are in that rugged Middle Eastern country, and continued involvement could mean an extremely protracted commitment of American lives and resources. On this Veterans Day, the choice by men and women to wear the uniform of the United States of America and defend this nation — whether on distant shores or at home — the potential dangers they face, and their families’ sacrifices weigh heavily on the minds of the president and the nation.
