by Brian Dooley

Created on: March 05, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

I think it's sad and appalling that we're allowed political views and agenda to cloud our perspective of unity. Too many Americans have forgotten the damage the lack of public support for troops serving in Vietnam.

If you were a serviceman or woman who volunteered to serve your country and was shipped to hot, dusty, hostile Iraq for duty, what would you expect from your countrymen back home?

You got it; support.

If you have a political opinion, share it with your local congressman.

Before writing this piece I Google'd a search for the proper definition of "Nationalism". What I found was fitting enough to frame this article with. To some readers, I hope it serves as a reminder. Wordnet.com defines Nationalism as;

Noun
1. love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it; "they rode the same wave of popular patriotism"

It's much more than a simple question of agreeing or disagreeing with political agenda. There's enough fuel for arguments on both sides of the fence to keep the media firestorm burning for weeks on end. Pick any scandal or debate of the War in Iraq and you'll easily find a hot topic to discuss over the watercooler. But ultimately, all surface complaining does is hurt those who have the most to lose; Our Troops. Regardless of whether you've pitched a tent in the Democrat or Republican political camps shouldn't blind your vision of Nationalism. Even as you reader, are reading this article, countless sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, moms and dads have been called upon to perform what they chose to do: Serve.

Even though I'm sure many people serving in Iraq share the same frustrations with political policies as anyone else, they still maintain that love and deep respect for the foundations our contrary stands for. The men and women of our military heard the call of duty, and unlike some, choose to stand. I encourage readers to never forget that those enlisted belied in our country enough to enlist in the first place.

When a person feels called to and dedicate their life to the service industry, weaving their skills into the fabric of the community, they do so willingly, taking pride not only the role they play but also the impact they leave behind. Isn't it selfish that we as a society are quick to dial 911 for the Police when we hear a bump late at night downstairs in the living room, but turn our backs on those serving on a battlefront overseas, just because we disagree with the leaders who called them there. Do we really believe our troops in Iraq want to stay any more so than those Americans who want them to leave?

I'm proud to recognize that servicemen and women have a deeper understanding about our contrary, our principles and the burdens that were borne by those before them, and they do not challenge the orders given by our leaders. That's why our military arm is called "The Service". They understand the true "why" they are there.

And so dear reader, it's decision time. With so many men and women, having already decided to lay their lives on the line for what they believed was right and sacrifice of themselves, is giving up some of our selfish outbursts and opinions, too much to ask?

Because the immortal words of Abraham Lincoln still ring true: "A House divided can not stand."

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