It’s not time for Johnnie to come marching home

By Dick Tunison

There is a large group of Americans who continually call for bringing our troops from Iraq now. Perhaps some of them do not understand the significance of their demand. Others are moved by political persuasion. But in either case, the group tends to ignore the lessons of history and the reason certain decisions were made at the time. In a real sense there is no excuse for bringing our troops home prematurely other than that their being there is causing more harm than good. Truthful analysis of the situation in Iraq can only lead to the opposite conclusion. This past week’s killing of Al-Zarqawi is proof.

Although it would be incorrect to draw precise parallels between post-war Germany, Japan, South Korea and Iraq when discussing occupation, there are some factors that appear consistent. For one thing, there existed an ever present danger of uprisings in three of the occupied nations and the danger of outside influence in two. Second, Germany and Japan were industrialized countries with high technical know-how that gave them the capacity to rebuild and retool if the Allies were not vigilant and they chose to do so. Korea and Iraq did not fall into this category, bur were surrounded by hostile neighbors who might decide to take advantage of them if they wanted to be mischievous.

For these reasons, Allied forces remained in Germany for ten years after the war was over and in Japan for six years. That is to say, the presence of formal occupational forces was clear to any observer. However, we should be aware that the United States has continued to operate military bases in these countries even to this day, and still has a residual protective force in South Korea as a foil against the North Koreans. The question constantly being asked of the administration is “How soon will our troops come home from Iraq?” – as if there could be a precise answer given without the benefit of a crystal ball. The president’s answer has consistently been, “When the job in Iraq is finished.”

My older brother remained in Austria as part of the occupational force for nearly a year after the Axis Powers surrendered in 1945. I remember writing him with not a little bit of impatience asking him when he was coming home. But I was a kid of sixteen at the time with a rather limited understanding of why my brother was even there.

Just this past Thursday morning, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) linked the question of “when?” with the death of Abu Mus'ab Al-Zarqawi, the leader of Al Queda in Iraq. Senator Kerry is a tad older than sixteen and one would expect he’d have a much clearer understanding than I did. In reality, he and others who make the same call likely do understand, but for political reasons choose to be contrarians.

Except for the disastrous end to the Vietnam War, America has not made a habit of cut and run. We have taken our responsibilities seriously by standing by as occupiers or defenders until the need was met, or as George Bush would say, “As long as necessary.”

It’s been interesting to see how the politicians, intellectuals and elite who oppose the war in Iraq have used the expurgation of Zarqawi as the magical checkered flag that, for them, signals the end of the race. House Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi; Senate Minority Leader, Harry Reid; Congressman John Murtha have recently been outspoken on the subject. California Congressman, Pete Stark went way over the top by accusing President Bush of fabricating the whole Zarqawi killing, suggesting the Iraqi Al Qaeda leader of either been killed long ago or still alive and in hiding.

Our experience in the Vietnamese War has left us scarred and for some people, mortally wounded. A surprising number of Americans have lost the fire in their belly that might assure that final victory. The Washington Post editorial in Friday’s paper reported that, “Officials from both countries (US and Iraq) were unanimous in predicting yesterday that the challenge from the insurgency will continue to be severe. Perhaps U.S. troops can be drawn down without worsening that threat; but it would be tragic if, after so much suffering, Iraq's first democratic government were denied the means to succeed.”

Like impatient teenagers, too many of us long for the easy way out. It was Patrick Henry speaking before the House of Burgesses, who so profoundly put the question to the weak-at- heart when he said to his fellow representatives, “Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

Some readers will argue that Patrick Henry was referring to a war on our own soil and has little to do with our soldiers fighting in a foreign land thousands of miles away from home. I’m not sure that was Henry’s real challenge to his cohorts. Rather, it was a challenge to stand tall, with moral certitude, for principles worthy of our lives and our fortunes.

Zarqawi was the epitome of evil. Yes, he is dead. But the cause he fostered lives on and will continue to be an attraction for those who would forsake good for evil and freedom for domination. This is not the time to fold up our tents and come home. The battle has not yet been won. To suggest that Zarqawi’s death somehow signals the end of our need to remain engaged in Iraq, is fallacy. In all likelihood a successor will be found and, after a short period of adjustment, the insurgency will renew its efforts to intimidate Iraqis and play on the weakness in America’s resolve to win the peace.

The good news is that ferreting out Zarqawi was a combined effort of Iraqis, Jordanians and US Forces. Iraqis and Jordanians have finally stepped forward to help put a stop to the brutality that has even turned their heads. This is progress and to even consider walking away from the fray now should be expunged from our thought processes. As Patrick Henry extolled, this is a moment for all good men to stand together, with moral certitude, and do the right thing.