Remembering the War
By Stephen Pigeon
It
is not too often that a 26 year old can be made to feel old.
Attending a Brewer game where the entire infield is younger than
you is one of those times; a second is watching “This Week with George
Stephanopoulos” Sunday mornings.
Every week Stephanopoulos displays the names of solders who have recently been killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. It is a weekly occurrence that the ages of the solders are below 26 years of age. For me, it is a bit of a surreal feeling learning that solders 8 years my junior are fighting and dying for my protection and freedom.
Stephanopoulos’ Sunday reminders and my watching Ken Burns’ World War II documentary “The War” last week led me to ponder; how has the Iraq war and the war on terrorism impacted my daily life?
Burns’ film examines World War II from the perspective of the battlefield and the home front. The stories from the home front perspective include the planting of victory gardens, the contribution of civilians through increased factory work and rationing, and the delivery of telegrams indicating that loved ones had been killed.
The United States has not experienced a terrorist attack since September 11, 2001. The War on Terrorism has very little impact on my daily life, and unfortunately is rarely on the top of my mind. After realizing this, I asked myself why this is and how many Americans are having the same experience.
I do not personally know anybody who has been killed in a terrorist attack, nor has anybody close to me served in Iraq or Afghanistan. I have not been asked to ration my consumption of anything for the betterment of the war effort; my decisions surrounding my education and career have also not been impacted by the War on Terrorism. I have only been asked to remain vigilant and be on the lookout for any suspicious activity, which I have always done for self-preservation purposes.
Maybe the lack of personal sacrifice or regular interaction with those who have experienced the fight in Iraq or Afghanistan is why so many Americans, including those wishing to become president, are calling for the withdrawal of troops from these countries. Maybe that’s due to the fact that when compared to World War II, only a small fraction of the population is personally vested in the War on Terror. Is that why so many Americans feel that the United States should not fight it?
Instead of calling for an end to the fight, individuals who want to end the war should be thankful that they are able to perceive ending it as an option. For instance, how many Israelis believe that withdrawing troops from its borders and redeploying them is an option that will result in peace and make them safer? A reason that redeploying and withdrawing troops is not an option is that they regularly experience terrorist attacks that cumulatively have impacted nearly everyone in that country.
The success that the War on Terror has had is preventing everyday Americans from perceiving a need for it. There has not been a terrorist attack upon the United States since September 11, 2001, therefore there are few reminders that the fight is truly necessary. The fight is indeed necessary if we want to continue to be able to go to sporting events, night clubs, or work without fear of being victim of the latest terrorist event. Comparing the feelings we had on September 11th 2001 to the feelings we have on any given day should act as everyone’s reminder of the need to aggressively pursue individuals who wish to do us harm.
For me personally, the most effective reminder is every Sunday when I learn the name of a 19 year-old who felt so strongly about the need to actively protect me, and all Americans, that they gave their life to do so.