A Reminder That We Are Not Alone

An Iraqi Soldier flashes the victory sign

Arthur Chrenkoff has an absolutely wonderful post up today that serves as a reminder that we are not bearing the burden of freeing millions of people alone. It's called " The Willing" and it is a tribute to the Coalition of the Willing in pictures.

Included is a description of one El Salvadoran soldier's moment of bravery and sacrifice.

One of his friends was dead, 12 others lay wounded and the four soldiers still left standing were surrounded and out of ammunition. So Salvadoran Cpl. Samuel Toloza said a prayer, whipped out his knife and charged the Iraqi gunmen. In one of the only known instances of hand-to-hand combat in the Iraq conflict, Cpl. Toloza stabbed several attackers swarming around a comrade. The stunned assailants backed away momentarily, just as a relief column came to the unit's rescue.

Seeing the pictures and reading the various quotes of support really send it all home. This is truly a global effort, regardless of leftist assertions.

Blackfive adds his endorsement of the photo of American troops, Blackhorse Scouts about to enter a terrorist hideout. It is pretty cool. It's what the best trained, best equipped, force for freedom in the entire world looks like.

Perhaps it is about time that the left was reminded that in their quest for political gain, at the expense of the American military and the truly humanitarian effort in Iraq, they desecrate the memory and sacrifice of soldiers from over two dozen nations besides our own. Should our partners willingness to serve in this just cause and determination to stand side by side with America on the side of freedom be cast aside as well, to gain a few seats back in congress, or because they don't like Republicans?

The days of "loyal opposition" are long gone. Expecting the Democratic Party to show decency out of respect for our coalition is naive. The war did not have to be a partisan effort, the Democrats made it one. I take solace though, that in my old age, when I part the leaves of history books, I will do so with pride. Pride in my country, pride in my military, and pride in the partners that helped free an entire nation from oppression.