Memorial Day reflections

This Memorial Day, amidst the non-stop media coverage of the dedication of the WWII memorial in Washington, my thoughts turn to the war in Iraq and the place in history that it will secure its prosecutor, George Bush. I still remember 9/11 like it was yesterday - I remember the sick panic of not knowing whether my roommates were dead or alive, of wondering whom in my circle of friends might not have made it.

I remember the common resolve America had as it vowed - at an individual level first, then collectively - to get the bastards who'd 'done it'. And I remember the gradual devolution of that primal rage into steely commitment to the war in Afghanistan, catalyzed by the realization that the battle of 'us' against 'them' was in fact a battle of the free West against Islamic fascism, and the only way to win was to bring freedom where they sought to impose tyranny.

I hope that Memorial Day jogs similar memories for all Americans as they salute the sacrifices of their brave servicemen and servicewomen - and that these memories influence their choices in November.