Will Crutchfield, New York: The question of which participants in the battle you describe are heroes turns entirely on the questions of whether the Marines had the right to go into that city and whether the fighters From traveling around the country on a recent tour for my book, I found that there is enthusiasm and interest in heroes’ stories in the hinterland, once people there know that such stories Stories about failures on the field and the foibles of the military’s leaders - specifically I can think offhand of “Jarhead” and “Assassin’s Gate,” which the critical Recounting and others like it? I truly believe, after reflection, that the American media, including The New York Times, give scant attention to these kinds of stories, preferring instead to highlight books and Heroic 17 hours in our war against terrorists, on Takur Ghar in March 2002, with a detailed recounting of what those very brave men did that day, with seven of them dying. Malcolm MacPherson, Warrenton, Va.: I have asked your question repeatedly, Why don’t we celebrate our warrior heroes? I have just published a book, “Roberts Ridge,” about arguably the most Under such circumstances, it seems to be more emotionally satisfying to comfort the injured and the families of the dead. I agree with celebrating the strength and prowess of our warriors, but it’s hard to celebrate when the fruits of their efforts are constantly being avoidably squandered because we do not have the forces to preserve To want to help us if we don’t ensure their safety from reprisal by keeping the insurgents out of their villages and cities once our Marines have skillfully liberated them? What does having a constitutionĪnd being able to vote mean to an Iraqi if his government cannot ensure the safety of capable, honest and courageous people who would run the government much less his own safety? Does it make sense to pay for the same piece of real estate multiple times with blood and treasure? Are the Iraqi people likely I honestly do not believe that there was ever a better fighting force in the history of the world.īut wars are won and lost with the mind as much as with strength and physical prowess. But the Marines just kept coming, continuing to executeīrilliantly with unbelievable stamina and vigor. I treated Marines with multiple mangled limbs, one or both eyes destroyed and bodies riddled with shrapnel. Well trained and in exceptional physical condition. As a group, the Marines are extremely well disciplined,

Marines near Falluja in 2004, I can attest to the superior fighting ability of the U.S. Stasiak, Chicago: As a Navy physician stationed with the U.S. I’m reminded of the boy who cried wolf: After a couple of times, nobody hears him anymore or even cares to. I suspect that the inattention and indifference to real heroes at least in part flowsįrom citizens who, like me, now take a more cynical view on all things we hear about war in Iraq. Sadly,Īs follow-up news accounts later showed, these stories turned out to be hoaxes fabricated by our own military and administration. But as I thought more about this point, it occurred to me that we’ve had two heroes that received scads of media attention: Jessica Lynch and Pat Tillman. Of heroism in media coverage here in the U.S. I also concur with your assessment that we don’t see many examples Lance Helgeson, Chicago: I appreciate your effort to highlight some of the bravery and courage U.S. The battles, witness the losses firsthand, we might be more inclined to also truly celebrate the victories and those who fight for them. Perhaps if we were allowed to truly share in The opportunity to weep over flag-draped caskets, to feel somehow connected to this conflict in a meaningful way, rather than just through daily briefings of success. It seems that every effort has been made to present a sanitized picture of war to the people, one that denies us Is because we are not allowed to truly honor the many soldiers who are wounded or killed in action.

Jennifer Lambert, Doylestown, Pa.: While I agree with your central proposition that we are doing a poor job honoring our warriors and their valiant efforts in Iraq, I wonder if the reason we are failing at this 27 column, “ Heroes Abroad, Unknown at Home“:

Real war heroes