And We Won't Be Back 'Til It's Over Over There!

The Pentagon's chief said Thursday he could send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan this year than he'd initially expected and is considering increasing the number of soldiers in the Army.

Both issues reflect demands on increasingly stressed American forces tasked with fighting two wars.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates' comments came during a short visit to Fort Drum in upstate New York -- an Army post that that he said has deployed more soldiers to battle zones over the last 20 years than any other unit. Two Fort Drum brigades are headed to Iraq later this year, and a third is currently in Afghanistan.

Asked about Afghanistan by one soldier, Gates said: "I think there will not be a significant increase in troop levels in Afghanistan beyond the 68,000, at least probably through the end of the year. Maybe some increase, but not a lot."

So far, the Obama administration has approved sending 68,000 troops to Afghanistan by the end of 2009, including 21,000 that were added this spring.

I would first like to ask how Sec'y Gates intends to increase the Army's size. Though I've not spoken with any recruiters lately or researched any numbers, I'm sure that the Army's size will increase as long as volunteers are willing. Maybe they'll send roving recruitment vans to kidnap young men off of the streets. Secondly, I would like everyone to note the fact that "the Obama administration has approved sending 68,000 troops to Afghanistan by the end of 2009, including 21,000 that were added this spring" (FNC). That's 99,000 troops. Ninety-nine thousand men and women. The end to the War on Terror Overseas Contingency Plan definitely seems to be in sight.

To the Mansions of the Lord

The media will now be permitted to photograph the homecomings of fallen troops at Dover AFB (which is where their remains are returned, before being transported to their hometowns). "Defense Secretary Robert Gates has decided to allow photos of flag-draped caskets . . . if the families of the fallen troops agree" (FNC).
In my personal opinion, I find this shocking and disturbing. How can one even consider approaching the family of a fallen hero and asking permission to take photos? Our nation's heroes should be able to return home and be buried in peace, surrounded by their families -- not the media. This is abhorrent and disrespectful. The media is exploiting our troops and their families -- they've already made the ultimate sacrifice, what more can the government ask?

I was going to post a video of "The Mansions of the Lord," but they always make me emotional.

"The Mansions of the Lord"

To fallen soldiers let us sing,
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing,
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord

No more weeping, no more fight,
No prayers pleading through the night,
Just divine embrace, eternal light,
In the Mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry and no children weep,
We shall stand and guard though the angels sleep,
Oh, through the ages safely keep
The Mansions of the Lord