Supporting our Troops, Honoring our Veterans

By Russ Warner

"We have the greatest military in the world. We shouldn't hold our men and women in uniform responsible for the lies and failed policies of this administration."

We can then go to our friends and former allies, regain their trust and respect and secure the support needed to change the face of the occupier by replacing our troops with those from European and Muslim nations.

The sacrifice that our men and women in uniform are making can never fully be repaid. We must support our troops and not insult them as the Bush Administration did at the outset of this terrible war by proposing a cut in combat pay over budgetary concerns, while at the same time handing out billions of dollars in bloated reconstruction contracts.

There are nearly 30 million veterans in the United States, including many who risked their lives to protect the American way of life. We must continue to thank and honor them by ensuring that the Department of Veterans Affairs is fully funded, and that they have access to educational opportunities, home loan programs, health care and other benefits.

The father of an Iraqi War veteran, Russ Warner knows first-hand the hardships of the military family and how important it is that we honor our veterans. Like his son, Sergeant Greg Warner, he shares the conviction that our armed forces are intended to prevent wars, not start them.