From the time I rejoined the military to participate in this war, I have been asked why I would want to do it. Why would I leave a good home, an excellent family, and a prosperous business just to go fight in a war that might not even be a righteous cause? Some people have even expressed their amazement that anyone would choose to go fight for anything when they were free from the obligation.

My initial inspiration came from the times when I would review the military casualties on the CNN website; the faces of the young soldiers that had been killed haunted me. They were fighting for the concept of freedom and honor, yet they were too young to have really reaped the benefits of the former, though they certainly possessed the latter. I thought of these young people, and I pondered the concept that perhaps they might have been a bit safer if an older, more experienced soldier had been there with them. I could certainly serve in that role, but I was busy with a family and a business. I was but one man, could they not get along without me?

When my son Alex joined the ROTC unit at school, I began to spend time with kids who would likely be in the military soon. Some of them may wind up in Iraq someday, my son included. I had hopes that when that time came, some older, wiser heads would look after these young people and help keep them safe. But it would have to be some other person doing the watching, after all, I had a family that loved me and it wouldn’t be fair to leave them behind. Shouldn’t I just let somebody else leave their family to look after my son and these other fine cadets?

I read everything I could about the war, and I was unsure whether it was a proper war. Was it a fight against worldwide terrorism? Was it a fight to secure the oil that drives our economy, and if so, was that bad? Or was it simply a contest between national leaders, a Bush vs. Hussein revenge match? I would think of the troops caught up in the conflict. Did the reason for the struggle alter the sense of duty for the men and women who were now destined to fight? The answer was no, for they would do their duty out of a sense of honor and belief in their country because that is what a fine soldier does. Their dedication was not a result of mindless adherence to government propaganda, rather it is because they each are aware that it is the duty of the soldier to fight when called upon to do so. That is their job, and every military decision cannot be held open for debate and voted on, else the security of our nation would crumble. So it came down to the fact that regardless of the reasons for the war, there were fine young men and women caught up in it, and they needed the support of their fellow countrymen. I could pin a yellow ribbon on my car and make a donation to the U.S.O., wouldn’t that be sufficient support for our soldiers?

For many people, the answer to these questions would be yes. There is no belittlement in such responses, for not everyone can make the leap into such a chasm as I have. That is not a statement to elevate myself at the expense of others, for it is not reasonable to expect every man to make such a transition. But it was a transition I felt compelled to make.

I believe in our country, our way of life. I have faith in our economic system, and I see the United States as defined in our constitution as being the epitome of the way free people should live. I enjoy the opportunity that my land has given me, and I see our future as a bright one, even though an occasional cloud may appear. I want my son to enjoy his life to the fullest, and I am very grateful that he has such a fine nation to live it in. There are those that detract from our nation, those who seek personal attention via the flagellation of the very land that makes them prosperous, but those are people who would not be satisfied anywhere. If a man cannot be happy and successful in the United States, then he would be a miserable failure anywhere. Our country is magnificent, it is rich, and it is strong. Such characteristics provide a lighting rod for the criticisms of those who are dissatisfied with their own land and basic lot in life. Fortunately for them, our nation is also kind, so we rarely strike back at their mosquito bites into our vein of national identity. Envious men lie in wait for us, and we must maintain the resources to thwart their attempts to pull us down to their level. In order to do this, we must have people that are willing to fight, and fight tenaciously. We must have people who will defend the position we take as a nation, even if they might not be in agreement with the particular policy. We must have people who are willing to set aside their comforts, bid adieu to those they love, and walk into the fire of Hades itself if need be. We must have men who are aware of their duty, the duty to fight as they have agreed to do regardless of their personal concerns. We must have men of honor, the honor that drives men to fight with courage, and to fight without thoughts of pillage and plunder, but rather to fight for simple liberty and freedom. And we must have men who believe in their country, the United States, the greatest assembly of people ever created on this earth.

I have opted to leave my family, the family that I love and cherish as much as any man can. I have opted to leave my home, a home that has been host to wonderful friends. I have opted to leave my work, a successful business that was created solely by my lovely wife and I from nothing. I have done this because I could not stand by and leave our nation’s fight up to other people. I could not bear to think of the men and women who have died, and those that might join them if I choose to remain comfortably at home. I hate to be apart from my wife and son, my home, my business, my life, more than there are words to describe. But I had to join in the fight and serve in the best capacity that I possibly could.

My reward for this gamble has been magnificent. I have had the tremendous privilege of serving with some of the finest men I have ever known. These are men that one might pass on any given day and not think much about one way or the other. These men are your police officers, plumbers, truck drivers, salesmen, postal clerks, and so on. But these men are also soldiers. They are front line, in the thick of the fight, hard-core combat soldiers who do the nastiest, most dangerous work in the military. These men have dedication and the finest sense of loyalty to their country that is imaginable. When one of them falls, it is as if a mighty redwood has come down, for the effect on our nation is hit hard by the loss of such individuals. But I have had the privilege and the utterly magnificent honor to have served on the streets with the toughest, best men our country has to offer. I have enjoyed their enthusiasm, I have laughed at their humor, I have sweated and been afraid with them, and I have even felt the sorrow when they have been cut down in battle. I am truly grateful for having been able to serve with them. The price to be with them in Iraq was indeed great, but it was far from too high.