Ordinary soldiers
Fourth of July will see more emphasis this year on paying homage to American military personnel who have preserved freedom around the world, in Iraq and during earlier actions.
Most of the public accolades will be offered to those captured in Iraq, wounded, or received high rank and/or military awards.
Those are good goals. We encourage such treatment. But we hasten to remind that it's the "ordinary soldier" who is coming up short on recognition.
Many who have earned the nation's highest awards and many who were captured or wounded in action say the same thing: "I just happened to be there at the time." And they are quick to point out that anyone faced with such a situation would have done the same.
Wars are won by ordinary soldiers. Some did extraordinary things. But those who did their duty on a daily basis, often boring and unpleasant, the ones "who were there," deserve our everlasting thanks and gratitude.
— BILL MEYER
