American Valor – Military Tribute

Good morning and a belated "Happy Thanksgiving" to all of you reading this.

I especially want to pledge my support and eternal thanks to those of you who are now serving or have ever in your life served our country.  Your job is never easy;  often unappreciated;  often scorned;  never over, often blamed for the decisions of politicians and rarely ever given credit for the self-sacrifice you make every day of your lives.

But the question often comes up by well-meaning, good-hearted liberals:  Why do we need the military?  They are so expensive!  We can negotiate with the misunderstood people of the world.  Is that so…

Today there was a common thread in the news:  Mumbai hit by terrorists.  The Taj Hotel in Mumbai, India.

"Several hostages are still in the Taj hotel and another 100 people are believed to be trapped in the Oberoi hotel, police said. Police conceded that there were some casualties among the commandos.

In the first ever press conference by the Indian Navy commandos, a masked officer said the terrorists were firing with AK series automatic rifles and hurling grenades inside the Taj hotel. "Definitely they were trained. Not everybody can fire AK series weapons. Using such weapons and explosives, it is obvious they were trained somewhere," said the officer.

A group calling itself Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the attacks. However, "external forces" are being blamed for the violence – a phrase sometimes used to refer to Pakistani militants, whom Indian authorities often blame for attacks. Pranab Mukherjee, the country’s foreign minister, was more explicit. "According to preliminary information, some elements in Pakistan are
responsible," he said."

Do you see what is going on here?  There was a small headline in the paper today stating that the Iraqi parliament has tentatively approved a plan for U.S. troop withdrawal.  We are approaching the end of the conflict in Iraq, hopefully.  Afghanistan is still smoking.  India is suffering.  What do we see as a common thread here?

We see evidence of AK series automatic rifles:  Автомат Калашникова образца 1947 года; Avtomat Kalashnikova obraztsa 1947 goda; "Kalashnikov’s automatic rifle model of year 1947" …my goodness oh my goodness!  Isn’t that the devil-designed little assault rifle designed, developed and PRODUCED by the Russians?  Even to this day?

"Using such weapons and explosives, it is obvious they were trained somewhere"…Iran, Pakistan?

We are facing a world-wide confrontation with a very specific enemy.  Now I know that "profiling is supposed to be bad" but explain that to murdered soldiers, peacekeepers and law enforcement officials all over the world.

We are facing an enemy who is afraid to be seen in the light.  They are the Sons of Darkness.

They like to cover their faces with cloth…masks.

They like to fire missiles from within synagogues, mosques, churches, hospitals, hotels and schools where they can be "protected" by surrounding themselves with women and children.  Then, if and when fire is returned upon them, they scream persecution because we have killed their innocent women and children.

They strap explosives around their waists, cover them up, walk into a crowded public area and detonate, killing and wounding civilians.

They often use weapons manufactured in Russia.  They very often originate from one of three or four specific middle-eastern countries.

They often use force, fear and harassment to control their people.

Is it becoming clear what we are up against?  Cowards.  Their only desire in the world is death.  Death to themselves and to anyone who disagrees with them.  They have no remorse for killing women, children, the elderly, anyone of convenience.  They fear not death; they embrace it as an honor.

That my friends paints a pretty specific picture of a typical terrorist.  That is why we need the military.  The military is working around the clock, 365 days a year forever to protect us from them. 

We need to get down on our knees today and pray to God for His intervention, guidance and wisdom in fighting against these soldiers of the dark.  We need to thank God each and every day for our sons and daughters, our family and friends who are serving in the military to protect us from this evil disease called Terrorism.

Dad