“If you're reading this, then I've died in Iraq”

On November 30th, President Bush addressed the faculty and midshipmen of Annapolis Naval Academy. In the President’s speech he laid out the progress we have made thus far in our war on terror in particular, the Iraqi Front. The President made it clear that we are winning this war and that our resolve must remain steadfast if we are to see this war to completion with a victory. Towards the end of the Presidents speech he read a portion of a letter written by a Marine who faught and died in Ramadi. This Marine, Corporal Jeff Starr, left these words on his laptop computer…

"If you're reading this, then I've died in Iraq. I don't regret going. Everybody dies but a few get to do it for something as important as freedom.

"It may seem confusing why we're in Iraq; it's not to me. I'm here helping these people so they can live the way we live, not to have to worry about tyrants or vicious dictators.

Others have died for my freedom; now this is my mark."

Cpl Jeff Starr

The President ended the reading of Corporal Starr’s letter with these words,

“There's only one way to honor the sacrifice of Corporal Starr (ph) and his fallen comrades. And that is to take up their mantle, carry on the fight and complete their mission.

We will take the fight to the terrorists. We will help the Iraqi people lay the foundations of a strong democracy that can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself. And by laying the foundations of freedom in Iraq, we will lay the foundation of peace for generations to come.

You all are the ones who will help accomplish all this. Our freedom and our way of life are in your hands, and they're in the best of hands.

I want to thank you for your service to the cause of freedom. I want to thank you for wearing the uniform. May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.”

President G.W. Bush

Many try to change or water down the reasons why we are in Iraq. Some even paint the US as the evil aggressor and the terrorist as freedom fighters but reading Cpl. Starr's comments brings our mission into perspective. America is fighting that others may be free and in doing so, this strengthens American Freedom. We are not an Imperialist Nation hell bent on ruling the world or the worlds oil supply. We are Americans and fighting for freedom is what we do.

Thank you, Cpl.Starr for your service and ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for understanding what so many seem to doubt...You are all heroes and you are fighting for the freedom we all cherish.

Mike DiBartolo
American Zulu