Freedom is never free
Let’s not forget the sacrifice our loved ones make for ours.
Much of our nation’s attention was focused last week on Crawford, Texas, where President Bush met with advisors to discuss a “new direction” in the war in Iraq. If they had looked a little farther north, they would have seen an example of the true cost of this war right here in Ennis.
The war in Iraq hit closer to home than ever for our community when only days before families gathered together to celebrate Christmas, we learned that another one of our own had lost his life in Iraq.
As reported in the Ennis Daily News on Christmas Eve, Navy medic Kyle Nolen, 21, was killed in Iraq’s Anbar Province on Dec. 21, leaving behind his wife Cassie and two young children, Ryan, 3, and Railey, 5 months. This tragic loss reminds us all of just how high the price of freedom is. Heroes like Kyle Nolan should never be forgotten, especially by the people here in his hometown.
It seems like only yesterday we learned of the loss of another native son, Aaron Latimer who was killed in May. Two young men from this small town have given their lives for their country within the span of 7 months. This is a sobering illustration of just how many small towns are mourning the loss of so many young men and women as a result of the war.
President Bush has announced that he will make recommendations in January about new tactics in Iraq. Following the release of the Baker-Hamilton commission’s report on the war, there has been quite a bit of debate, second-guessing and political positioning over this subject. When President Bush makes his plans known, we suspect there will be no shortage of both supporters and detractors, no matter what changes he makes.
But regardless of the steps the President takes, it won’t change the situation for Nolen’s family. Cassi, Ryan and Railey are without their husband and father and they will be returning soon to Ennis from their current home in California where Kyle was stationed before his deployment. We know our community will welcome them home with open arms and to lend help wherever possible.
Brave men like Nolen and Latimer deserve to be remembered by their community and the best way we can do that is to reach out to the grieving families they have left behind. Our nation and our community owe them that and much, much more.
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Posted by publisher
on Dec 30 2006. Filed under Editorials.
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