The Iraq war is now in its sixth year and the Afghanistan war is now in its seventh.  I am concerned that, for various reasons, these conflicts may become “forgotten wars” in the mind of the public.  We have a presidential election on the horizon, a dubious economic climate, recent natural disasters in Myanmar and China, and a state of international relations that is as challenging as ever.  All those things provide many distractions from what is happening in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Let’s not allow these extended military actions to be forgotten.  Regardless of how we feel about the war, let’s remember those working in our armed forces, far from home and separated from their loved ones.  This Memorial Day, this holiday dating back to the War Between the States, let us remember all of them, especially those who have paid the ultimate price in all of the USA’s wars.  May they rest in peace and may their loved ones be consoled.