Five years ago, the United States entered into a war with a bloody dictator. As has been my experience as a combat veteran, battles have been lost and won. The dictator was toppled. An entire country was set free. A new generation of Iraqis discovered what it means to vote in a free election.
Today is a day to celebrate those victories. Today is also a day to remember the fallen, to reach out to the wounded and to support the men and women still fighting on the front lines.
Today is a day to remember what this war is about. It is about securing the freedom of a nation that suffered too long under the tyrannical rule of a man without conscience. Winning this war means a new ally in the war on terror. Winning this war will give hope to the millions of Chinese, Cubans, North Koreans and all of the oppressed people in this world who long for freedom and look to America as a sentinel of liberty.
Today is a day for all Americans to stand together in solidarity; to stand against oppression and injustice; to stand against the unspeakable evils visited on too many in this world.
Today is a day to celebrate freedom.
