thedrifter
01-03-07, 06:30 AM
Marines proudly continue mission
January 03,2007
The pictures only tell part of the story: A young couple, lost in the moment, snuggle on the grass — their expressions are those of people lost in thought, filled with sorrow at parting, cognizant of the serious turn their lives are taking. Inside the Dec. 31 edition of The Daily News, on page 2A: a little girl grins with delight as her daddy tosses her in the air; a sister clutches her brother in a fierce farewell embrace before a group of waiting buses; and a Marine gives a comforting pat to man’s best friend.
These photographs speak eloquently to the experience of sending loved ones to uncertain futures, a frequent event in Onslow County, but a necessary part of the lives of military men and women and their families, friends and, yes, even pets.
Each day news of the war in Iraq fills papers around the world. There is good news and bad — Iraq seems on course toward becoming a true, self-ruling nation, finally free of one of history’s most abominable dictators.
But U.S. forces continue to sustain casualties, many fatal, and Iraq’s — indeed the region’s — chaotic divisiveness renders diagnosis and prognosis problematical.
Recently, talk of increasing troop levels has been making the rounds. Rather than decreasing U.S. involvement, it very well may mean that commitments will increase. That will mean more photographs of Marines, sailors and their loved ones saying good-bye.
While deployment to a war zone is never easy, what separates these departures from many others is how the Marines feel about their mission.
Beyond the photos, beyond the separations, beyond the holidays away from home, is the attitude these Marines and their families have about what they’re doing.
They say they know their mission is important. They believe that the Iraqi people have a right to determine their own fate and live without fear of harm from their own government. They believe Iraqi children of all religions should have the opportunity to go to school, to grow up as healthy, educated adults, and make their own decisions.
They believe putting an end to terrorism will make this country and the rest of the world a safer, better place to live for everyone — including children and generations yet unborn. So they pack their gear, say goodbye to those they love and trek halfway around the world.
The pictures show sorrowful partings; but the story, told in their words, show their pride in and dedication to the words in the Constitution of securing the “Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.”
They are Marines — always faithful and always willing and ready to stand, “Between their loved home and the war’s desolation,” shielding their fellow countrymen from harm while protecting this country from its enemies around the globe.
Ellie
January 03,2007
The pictures only tell part of the story: A young couple, lost in the moment, snuggle on the grass — their expressions are those of people lost in thought, filled with sorrow at parting, cognizant of the serious turn their lives are taking. Inside the Dec. 31 edition of The Daily News, on page 2A: a little girl grins with delight as her daddy tosses her in the air; a sister clutches her brother in a fierce farewell embrace before a group of waiting buses; and a Marine gives a comforting pat to man’s best friend.
These photographs speak eloquently to the experience of sending loved ones to uncertain futures, a frequent event in Onslow County, but a necessary part of the lives of military men and women and their families, friends and, yes, even pets.
Each day news of the war in Iraq fills papers around the world. There is good news and bad — Iraq seems on course toward becoming a true, self-ruling nation, finally free of one of history’s most abominable dictators.
But U.S. forces continue to sustain casualties, many fatal, and Iraq’s — indeed the region’s — chaotic divisiveness renders diagnosis and prognosis problematical.
Recently, talk of increasing troop levels has been making the rounds. Rather than decreasing U.S. involvement, it very well may mean that commitments will increase. That will mean more photographs of Marines, sailors and their loved ones saying good-bye.
While deployment to a war zone is never easy, what separates these departures from many others is how the Marines feel about their mission.
Beyond the photos, beyond the separations, beyond the holidays away from home, is the attitude these Marines and their families have about what they’re doing.
They say they know their mission is important. They believe that the Iraqi people have a right to determine their own fate and live without fear of harm from their own government. They believe Iraqi children of all religions should have the opportunity to go to school, to grow up as healthy, educated adults, and make their own decisions.
They believe putting an end to terrorism will make this country and the rest of the world a safer, better place to live for everyone — including children and generations yet unborn. So they pack their gear, say goodbye to those they love and trek halfway around the world.
The pictures show sorrowful partings; but the story, told in their words, show their pride in and dedication to the words in the Constitution of securing the “Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.”
They are Marines — always faithful and always willing and ready to stand, “Between their loved home and the war’s desolation,” shielding their fellow countrymen from harm while protecting this country from its enemies around the globe.
Ellie