On Tuesday, nine American troops in Afghanistan were killed in a helicopter crash, bringing the total deaths of American troops in and around Afghanistan to 1,221 since the beginning of the war in 2001. The crash makes 2010, only three-quarters done, the deadliest year of war in Afghanistan yet.
The high death toll is perhaps no surprise since the number of American troops in Afghanistan has steadily risen to its highest yet, nearly 100,000. The numbers, which added to Iraq casualties come to nearly 6,000, should start to make us think.
Whether you agree with the war in Afghanistan or not, the bottom line is that the government we the people elected under two different parties continues the fight for freedom and democracy there. We, which means me and you and every American, are at war.
Amidst the information saturation of American culture and entertainment, it’s easy to forget about the real world—and I’m not talking about the “Real World” on MTV. But just because the world is multifaceted doesn’t make the questions asked of us by our countrymen and by history any less big and important. It just means that the questions seem less big and important when viewed through digital devices and through the sometimes amoral perspective of pop culture.
The high death toll is perhaps no surprise since the number of American troops in Afghanistan has steadily risen to its highest yet, nearly 100,000. The numbers, which added to Iraq casualties come to nearly 6,000, should start to make us think.
Whether you agree with the war in Afghanistan or not, the bottom line is that the government we the people elected under two different parties continues the fight for freedom and democracy there. We, which means me and you and every American, are at war.
Amidst the information saturation of American culture and entertainment, it’s easy to forget about the real world—and I’m not talking about the “Real World” on MTV. But just because the world is multifaceted doesn’t make the questions asked of us by our countrymen and by history any less big and important. It just means that the questions seem less big and important when viewed through digital devices and through the sometimes amoral perspective of pop culture.
What big and important questions do I speak of? As I discussed in my last column, one of the biggest questions facing everyday Americans is how they can support our troops fighting abroad in Afghanistan and Iraq.
This month, Shannon Anker and Chad Hintz of Wisconsin are trekking 83 miles to raise money for care packages to send to troops overseas, according to WAOW-TV. Also this month in Amboy Township, Mich., a new military mom began organizing a campaign to help send holiday care packages to troops, according to Hillsdale Daily News.
As simple as these people may seem, the truth is that they are clued in to a question that is bigger than most news headlines you’ll read today. Some of the least clued in people are those who burned the Koran on Sept. 11 despite requests from Gen. David Petraeus, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and Commander-in-Chief Barack Obama not to do so, for fear that it would endanger our troops living in Muslim-dominated countries.
Personally, I am reminded of all of the Americans coming home from war who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder and end up having a difficult time integrating back into society. Many turn to crime and suicide. The environment that we have made back home is so removed from the one in Afghanistan and Iraq that the intellects of many of our troops can’t handle it.
Turn back the clock to World War II. The whole country had its attention and hearts with our troops every step of the way. All monetary, human, and material resources were poised to defeat the Axis nations. Pennies were made from steel instead of copper to save copper for ammunition casings; women worked at factory jobs vacated by drafted men; and even movie star Clark Gable flew combat missions into Nazi Germany.
Where is our attention and heart now? My care package to our troops abroad would be an America that truly wants to see them succeed, regardless of anyone’s personal views.
Maybe we can get Brad Pitt to be a Humvee driver in Afghanistan for a year—that would be great.
