Today is a sad anniversary in the global war on terror. The loss of 4,000 American lives halfway across the world is tragic not only for our nation but for the families of those brave men and women and I mourn with each and every one of them. I believe that the best way to honor their memories is to complete the mission for which they gave their lives.
To my mind, the mission in Iraq has become the central battlefield in the global war against Islamic extremism. Arguing why we went there in the first place does not change the fact that we are there now. This war is not about political vanity but about the pursuit and protection of freedom. For America to remain strong in the world and secure at home, our military must successfully conclude its mission in Iraq.
The young men and women in our military serving in Iraq and around the world today continue to remind me of the best of what our country has to offer – the few sacrificing for the many. So today, as so many do every day, let us observe a moment of silence to remember the fallen and honor them by committing to succeeding in this mission.
