"We had been told, on leaving our native soil, that we were to defend the sacred rights conferred on us by so many of our citizens settled overseas, so many years of our presence, so many benefits brought by us to populations in need of our assistance and civilization. We were able to verify that this was true, and because it was true, we did not hesitate to shed our quota of blood, to sacrifice our youth and our hopes. We regretted nothing, but whereas we over here are inspired by their frame of mind, I am told that in Rome factions and conspiracies are rife, that treachery flourishes, and that many people in their uncertainty and confusion lend a ready ear to the dire temptations of relinquishment and vilify our action. I cannot believe that all this true, and yet recent wars have shown how pernicious such a state of mind could be and to where it could lead. Make haste to reassure me, I beg you, and tell me that our fellow citizens understand us, support us and protect us as we protect the glory of the Empire. If it should be otherwise, if we should leave our bleached bones on these desert sands in vain, then BEWARE THE ANGER OF THE LEGIONS!!"
From a letter written by Marcus Flavinius, a centurion in the second cohort of the Augusta Legion serving overseas, to his cousin, Tertullus, in Rome, quoted in the Prologue of Jean Larteguay's, "The Centurions."
America is at war, yet a casual observer would be hard pressed to discern a country fighting for it's very existence. Its soldiers are scattered throughout the world fighting and dying while the folks back home are carrying on with business as usual. We are fighting an enemy just as implacable, just as determined, just as dangerous as the one we faced in World War II. The Second World War was the "good war." Americans and their allies knew what we were fighting for and the enemy was easy to identify. It was all out war, no holds barred, no quarter asked and none given. The goals were clear, unconditional surrender. We entered that war, unprepared and we paid for that lack of readiness, dearly. Thousands of America's young men died entombed in their sinking battleships at Pearl Harbor or marched into captivity at Bataan. Many more thousands were to die in far off places no one had ever heard of such as Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, Anzio, and Bastogne. Despite the failures, despite the defeats, Americans came together and worked together toward a common goal: Victory.
The times have changed. Our wartime leaders are vilified by an opposition party which neither understands the stakes involved nor offers a viable alternative other than "cut and run." Our mainstream media reveals our secrets with impunity and disseminates enemy propaganda in the name of the public's "right to know." Many of our fellow citizens are neither willing to support their country's effort or the men and women serving in that effort. Sadly, in 21st century America, there are too many who believe that any sacrifice in the name of freedom is never worth the cost and they look down upon those in our society who do. For many, military service is relegated only to those, unlike themselves, who lack other options or who lack the common sense to avoid it.
Fortunately, while the rest of us carry on with our everyday lives oblivious to the hardship and danger endured by our fellow citizens in harm's way, they continue to persevere and stand between us and the barbarians. Lance Corporal Dimitrios Gavriel joined the Marine Corps after 9/11. For me he epitomizes the spirit of his ancestors. He lived a life of noble ideals and devotion to duty. The son of Greek immigrants, a champion high school wrestler and Brown University graduate, he walked away from a lucrative career on Wall Street to avenge friends killed in the collapse of the Twin Towers. Dimitrios volunteered to serve as an enlisted man, turning down a commission as an officer. He also volunteered to be a "grunt", an infantryman. He was wounded during the vicious fighting in the Battle of Fallujah. Undeterred by his wounds he returned to his unit and was subsequently killed in an explosion a few days later. In the words of his father: "he put his life on the line when most of us would have run away. We lost a great kid. If his life can inspire other young men to follow suit, to believe in their ideals, to recognize there is more to life than getting a job, than making a living, I think out society can be better off. That's the legacy he leaves, and that's the legacy I strongly suggest he lived by."
Sometimes as I lie in my bed at night. The house is quiet and dark except for the flickering oil lamp next to the family icons. As my wife and kids sleep soundly I cannot help but wonder about that young Marine Lance Corporal sitting under a night sky on the other side of the world holding his rifle at the ready and thinking about home. In spite of all our weapon systems and high tech gadgets it is only the thin green line of warriors that stands between us and the barbarians at the gate. It's time we honor those who offer up themselves to keep us safe by supporting them and their mission. During the Vietnam War we let down another generation of American military men, threw away their sacrifices and surrendered Southeast Asia to the genocidal depravities of the likes of Pol Pot. We cannot allow a repeat of that debacle. More importantly it is time Americans realize that there is only one issue in the upcoming elections that trumps all others. That issue is Iraq. There is only one option in Iraq: stand and fight until victory is achieved. We need to vote for those who are committed to that victory. Anything else is unacceptable.
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