President Bush has asserted that we will not cut and run from Iraq.  Thank you, Mr. President.

The President is well aware of the difficulties we are facing.  He is well aware that terrorists will continue to attempt to prevent the establishment of a democracy in the very center of the Middle East.  He is aware that most of the Arab states that claim to be U.S. “allies” want us to face defeat and humiliation in Iraq so they can continue to rule through tyranny.  He is aware that the countries in Europe want to see us lose so that they can continue their “business relationships” with corrupt nations in the Middle East.  He is also aware that many leftist Americans (and their naïve dupes) want us to lose because America is too strong and needs to be reined in by yet another “cut and run” defeat. 

Most importantly, President Bush is aware of the loss of American life stemming from this war on islamofascism.  He chokingly cited the words of one such American hero in his speech on November 30.  He feels the loss.  He is also aware of the impact of deployment to Iraq on military families.  He understands their emotion but he also sees their strength and their heroism at home.

Yesterday, December 1, 2005,  Emily J. Bari (Minneapolis StarTribune, 12/1/05) wrote a commentary that choked me up.  This is copywrited by the StarTribune (2005).  Emily J. Bari writes:

“I don't enjoy being the poster child for pity.

“When my husband, Dan, left for a deployment to Iraq with the Minnesota Army National Guard 10 weeks ago, I became a bit of a celebrity. As the wife of a deployed soldier, I experienced an outpouring of handshakes, hugs, e-mails and phone calls.

“Yet as the first couple of weeks passed, I felt physically drained as I was emotionally adjusting to Dan not being around. My fatigue forced me to slow down the pace of life, and my senses heightened as my mind began to relax. I would write to Dan about every drop in temperature; the multiple shades of red, orange, and gold that appeared with autumn; and my delight in the season's first tasty cup of rich hot chocolate. But there was something else I noticed.

“Pity.

“If you've ever been through tough circumstances, perhaps you've also noticed that compassion and pity are two emotions that evoke very different facial expressions, motivations and actions.

“Although my closest friends, family members, and brothers and sisters at church continue to support me as they always have, it's become apparent that some people relate to me as if I were a crippled wife and an unfortunate woman.

“When people ask me how I'm doing, some expect a conversation dripping with despair. They even seem disappointed when, instead of sharing depressing stories of unimaginable loneliness, I simply tell them I made two big pancakes for dinner last night and I figured out how to fix the squeaky dryer.

“A military deployment is indeed a very difficult lifestyle adjustment. I cried my heart out when I realized the bed sheets no longer smelt like Dan. I turn on radios and televisions in multiple rooms because sometimes it's too heartbreaking to listen to the silence. Without my husband next to me, I often feel exposed.

“Yet there is a misconception that having my husband away on a military deployment makes me unfortunate. Please do not consider me unfortunate! Consider, just for a moment, that I might be incredibly blessed.

“First, I married a man with extraordinary courage and dedication, a man who loves me so well while so far away, and a man I can wholeheartedly flaunt to my future children as a hero.

“Secondly, personal character is tested in mediocre amounts when driving in rush hour or waiting in the urgent care clinic lobby. While every circumstance is a test of character, my situation has thrown me into the deep end of the character pool. I'm on a journey that is unveiling a beautiful level of self-confidence. I believe that I am at a time in my life where God has my full attention to teach me what he feels I need to learn.

“So do not pity me. Have compassion for me, encourage me and help me if you want. I will do the same for you. My circumstances may be demanding from time to time, yet I have never fallen from grace into a forgotten, subpar state of being. I, most definitely, am not unfortunate.”

That is all that needs to be said.  Thank you, Ms. Bari.