Election day

Image courtesy: Staff Sgt. Kelly Longbine

History is being made today in Iraq, where millions of citizens are voting in an election that will help choose a leader after U.S. forces leave the country. Thanks to the sacrifices of coalition troops, a country that was once terrorized by a murderous dictator is tasting freedom.

Sadly, insurgents have unleashed violent reprisals across the country this weekend. According to a Fox News report, mortar attacks killed at least 31 people across Iraq just as the polls opened. Once again, terrorists are proving they will target civilians in an effort to advance their crumbling ideology.

Over 4,300 American troops have died during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the debate continues over whether the war was worth our precious blood and treasure. But regardless of how one feels about the conflict, the accomplishments of our men and women in uniform are clear and undeniable. They brilliantly performed a task many thought impossible during the darkest days of the war, and Iraq finally has a chance to be free.

Real sacrifice

Image courtesy: Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde

The struggle for Afghanistan continues every single day, regardless of whether the national media decides to give it airtime. Over the last week, the Pentagon has announced the following casualties from multiple provinces in the war theater.

Sgt. Vincent Owens, 21, Fort Smith, Arkansas
Lance Cpl. Carlos Aragon, 19, Orem, Utah
Lance Cpl. Joshua Birchfield, 24, Westville, Indiana
Staff Sgt. William Ricketts, 27, Corinth, Mississippi
Sgt. Marcos Gorra, 22, North Bergen, New Jersey
Pfc. JR Salvacion, 27, Ewa Beach, Hawaii

These fallen warriors hailed from all around the United States, with unique backgrounds and life stories. With a heavy heart, The Unknown Soldiers will bring those stories to you in the days ahead.

Terrorists strike crucial bridge

Author and former Green Beret Michael Yon, who is currently on the ground in Afghanistan, is reporting that Taliban militants attacked an important bridge in the southern city of Kandahar on Monday. Near the bottom of an article about Operation Moshtarak in Marja, The Associated Press briefly mentions that a NATO soldier and four Afghan civilians were killed in the bombing. The bridge, which is reportedly damaged, connects the city with the crucial Kandahar Airfield. Yon, who heard the blast, writes on Facebook that the bridge "is important to us militarily, and to the economy. The enemy knows this bridge is important."

Yon is deeply troubled by events he believes led up to the bombing, and is pressing hard for answers. Obviously, I am not in Afghanistan, so I am not in the position to know if a different strategy could have prevented this attack. Yet Yon also highlights the lack of media attention being given to the incident in the United States, a coverage gap that is clear and indisputable. Prompted by his Facebook posts, I searched for articles in the mainstream press, and have yet to find any focused solely on the terrorist attack in Kandahar.

I have the utmost respect for the risks Yon is taking to report from the war theater, and can only imagine how frustrating it must be when important news from the battleground doesn't translate to airwaves, newsprint, and web hits in the country he loves. In fact, a scan of leading news websites at this hour gives top billing to Chile, Toyota, and health care instead of Afghanistan. While the chosen stories are legitimate, unlike many of the celebrity items that often fill the same sites, there is barely any mention of the war whatsoever, which is inexcusable. When will the media understand that drive-by coverage of an ongoing conflict is an irresponsible disservice to a nation at war? You can't just pick and choose when to talk about a war, you have to consistently report the news, good and bad, to people on the homefront. It's not only a patriotic obligation, it's simply good journalism.

While writing this blog post, I received a Pentagon press release in my inbox. It said an American soldier, Spc. Ian Gelig, was killed yesterday when his vehicle was attacked with an improvised explosive device in Kandahar. I called the 82nd Airborne Public Affairs office to ask whether Spc. Gelig, who served with the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, was the soldier killed in the attack. While unable to specifically disclose whether it was the same incident, the office confirmed that Gelig did indeed give his life on a bridge. We mourn the loss of this brave American hero, and urge American journalists to take notice of these extraordinary sacrifices. Hopefully, the crucial bridge attacked yesterday in Kandahar can be fully secured soon.

Moshtarak: The weeks ahead

Image courtesy: Cpl. Albert Hunt

The combat phase of Operation Moshtarak could be over in about ten days, but insurgents still pose a major threat to coalition troops who worked so diligently to secure Marja. That's the view of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, offered in the below military video, produced by Petty Officer 1st Class Mark Schultz.

While pleased by how quickly his highly-trained units were able to secure the city, Gen. McChrystal expects the Taliban and al Qaeda to 'test' the new security structure in the coming weeks. As the above photo shows, Americans are still in danger, digging beneath the ancient sand to clear the area of roadside bombs planted by terrorist groups. The exceptional bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who helped seize this area from the Taliban should never be taken for granted.



Multiple sources indicate that Operation Moshtarak could be a prelude to an invasion of Kandahar later this year. Without the heroic efforts of Pfc. Kyle Coutu and his fellow warriors, the coalition would have an even tougher fight ahead. Our country is fortunate that so many of our brothers and sisters volunteer to do this crucial work.

Iraq: Improved, but still dangerous

Image courtesy: Chief Petty Officer Michael Heckman

I recently had the privilege of interviewing retired 1st Lt. Jim Kirchner for a recent USO piece. During our conversation, I was struck by the vast differences between Kirchner's 2005 combat tour and his late 2009 return with Operation Proper Exit, which is funded by the USO and executed by the Troops First Foundation. The wounded veteran explained that Iraq is a much safer place because of the sacrifices of U.S. troops, and also a change in mindset among many Iraqis. Many are sick of violence and division, and are coming together to make their country a better place.

Of course, thousands of Americans are still serving there and face danger on a daily basis ahead of the March 7 national elections. The Pentagon has announced two casualties from Operation Iraqi Freedom, which is being renamed Operation New Dawn, over the past 24 hours:

Sgt. William C. Spencer, 40, Tacoma, Washington
Cpl. Daniel O'Leary, 23, Youngsville, North Carolina

The two soldiers were killed in separate incidents. Sgt. Spencer died Thursday at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany after being wounded at Combat Outpost Marez on February 20. Cpl. O'Leary was killed Tuesday in a Fallujah vehicle crash. We thank both of these brave American warriors for their service.

'Good luck'

Image courtesy: Pfc. Nathan Booth

While Operation Moshtarak has been difficult and costly, the hard-earned battlefield victories by American and coalition forces are already producing clear results. However, the battle for Marja does not mark the end of American's post-9/11 struggle in Afghanistan.

CBS News reports that President Obama is working with the military to plan a major offensive in Kandahar, which many call "the Taliban capital," later this year. The report also says the administration's Afghanistan policy will be reviewed again in December.

For loved ones of troops currently stationed in Afghanistan, news of another dangerous mission will undoubtedly cause some anxiety. But in every encounter I've had with military families, I continue to believe they are among the most resilient people on the planet. They will come together and endure, and all Americans must prepare themselves for the difficult months ahead. While sensationalism, tabloid journalism, and political bickering continue to dominate national airwaves, ordinary Americans can do their part to support the troops and military families by staying focused on what they are going through. The men and women performing these seemingly impossible tasks overseas aren't statistics, they are our brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, husbands, and wives.

Perhaps they will be inspired by these immortal words written by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, shortly before the allied invasion of Europe.

The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.

The famous letter concluded:

Good Luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

While it is important to note that not everyone supports the escalation of the current war in Afghanistan, and that responsible dissent is the hallmark of a free society, we can all put aside our political views to wish our troops the best of luck.

Respecting sacrifice

The solemn voyage to Delaware's Dover Air Force Base is one no military family ever wants to make. Dignified transfer ceremonies for U.S. troops killed in action overseas are held at Dover, and are probably the most delicate moments, along with military funerals, that loved ones can experience in war.

This site is honored to be friendly with the USO, which kindly published an article I wrote about Operation Proper Exit last week. There is no better example of the organization's compassionate mission than its two USO centers at Dover, which are set up to give families a quiet atmosphere to reflect and grieve, before and after witnessing the return of their fallen heroes to American soil.



While we all wish these centers weren't necessary, it is encouraging to know an organization is thinking ahead about how to support relatives dealing with devastating news. As the video notes, volunteers are present whenever a dignified transfer ceremony takes place, which can sometimes be at 3 or 4 a.m. This selfless sacrifice on the homefront is what our troops and their families deserve. Thank you, USO.

More heroes of Helmand identified

Image courtesy: Sgt. Aubree Rundle

The Pentagon has announced new casualties from the fighting in Helmand province. All six are fallen Marines.



Lance Cpl. Eric Ward, 19, Redmond, Washington
Lance Cpl. Matthias Hanson, 20, Buffalo, Kentucky
Cpl. Gregory Stultz, 22, Brazil, Indiana
Lance Cpl. Adam Peak, 25, Florence, Kentucky
Staff Sgt. Christopher Eckard, 30, Hickory, North Carolina

As Gen. David Petraeus said, Operation Moshtarak will be difficult and the loss of life almost too much to bear. Regardless of how you feel about the war in Afghanistan, it is clear that the troops fighting it need our support at home more than ever. You can volunteer at your local USO outlet, get on board with your church, school, or community center to send letters to soldiers, or even just shake a passing servicemember's hand and say thanks. During a time of war, everything counts.

Moshtarak: Petraeus warns of 'tough fight'

Image courtesy: Senior Airman Brian Ybarbo

Gen. David Petraeus, Iraq war hero and now the head of U.S. Central Command, does not seem to be spinning Operation Moshtarak or the war in Afghanistan. The general, who says he is a "realist," predicts another 12 to 18 months of difficult fighting to clear Helmand province of Taliban and other terrorists. But make no mistake, Petraeus told NBC's Meet The Press that the American public should brace for heavy casualties.

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We already know that Petraeus' somber words ring true, as a high volume of new casualties have been released by the Pentagon. Yet as the general reminds us, we all must remember why we are in Afghanistan, and that Osama bin Laden, Mullah Omar, and other terrorists who threaten the world still may be there.

"We're in Afghanistan to ensure it cannot once again be a sanctuary for the kinds of attacks that were carried out on 9/11."

Stolen memories: Suspect arrested, second at large

The Unknown Soldiers has been following the story of Senior Airman Bradley Smith since the hero was killed in Afghanistan on January 3. Unfortunately, this important story of battlefield sacrifice took an unthinkable turn the day before SrA Smith's Fort Carson memorial service, when his dog tags and other irreplaceable items were stolen from his wife and mother's shared rental car outside a Colorado restaurant.

Thanks to attention from newspapers, local TV stations, and blogs, police have announced an arrest in the case. While this news is certainly positive, another suspect is on the run, and the stolen mementos have still not been returned to grieving widow Tiffany Smith. KRDO-TV reports that Denard Thompson, 29, is accused of trespassing and conspiracy to commit theft. According to the article, alleged accomplice Dwain Boyd, 22, is wanted by police on charges of felony theft, first degree criminal trespass and conspiracy. Anyone with information is urged to call 719-390-5555.

Let's all pray the dog tags Senior Airman Bradley Smith wore while he gave his life for his country are returned to his mourning family, especially so his young daughter, Chloe, can hold them in the palm of her hand as she grows up.