Let Us Honor Those to Whom Honor is Due

Obama to address the nation about withdrawing American combat troops from Iraq.

President Obama has scheduled his second oval office address to let the American people know that he can now officially check off another campaign promise. In February Barack’s right hand man Joe Biden prepared us for this day; “I am very optimistic about — about Iraq. I mean, this could be one of the great achievements of this administration. You’re going to see 90,000 American troops come marching home by the end of the summer. You’re going to see a stable government in Iraq that is actually moving toward a representative government.”

On Saturday Obama said this, ” As a candidate for this office, I pledged I would end this war.  As President, that is what I am doing.  We have brought home more than 90,000 troops since I took office.  We have closed or turned over to Iraq hundreds of bases.  In many parts of the country, Iraqis have already taken the lead for security.”

Let me be clear about this, this is a great achievement but I disagree with the attribution.

Nearly every morning I begin my day with a brisk walk through our neighborhood.It is a fairly large and there are multiple routes I could take but and everyday I follow the same trek. About three-quarters of the way through I pass the home of Maris and Vera Adcock which puts things in perspective for my day.

You see Maris and Vera Adcock are the Gold Star Parents of Captain Shane Timothy Adcock. Captain Adcock made the ultimate sacrifice on October 11, 2006 in Hawijah, Iraq. Captain Adcock and his sister grew up in my neighborhood, they went to school with my kids. 

Like many Americans, none of my immediate family members serve in the armed forces. During this war, unlike the second World War, most of us have not had make any serious sacrifices. To keep things in the proper perspective I make sure that  I pass by the Adcock’s home everyday.  As I pass I view the small flag in the window with a  gold star and it reminds me that there are men and women in our armed forces are laying there lives on the line for us everyday, it reminds me that parents, spouses, children are left behind so their loved ones may serve us and allow us to live our lives. It is to those that have served and their family members that I attribute this great achievement. It is to those we are forever indebted to.

Let us not forget those to whom honor is due.

A caison carrying the remains of Army Captain Shane Adcock of Mechanicville, Virignia, 
makes its way through Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, October 27, 2006

Photo by Tom Gugiluzza-Smith