For five long years, our brave sons and daughters have served their country with honor and courage in Iraq. They did not choose this tragic and unnecessary war, but they have done everything their country has asked of them, and much more. In time, the misguided decisions and failed policies of others will be held accountable by the harsh judgment of history.

But now is not a time to debate how we got into Iraq, or how we will leave. It is a time to mourn. To date, U.S. forces have suffered 4,000 killed in action and almost 30,000 wounded. And many of those wounded will suffer the trauma of war, both physically and mentally, for the rest of their lives. As a nation, we must commit ourselves to care for them with as much as it takes, for as long as it takes.

We pray that God will embrace all of our fallen heroes with perfect shelter and peace. And we pray that he will send strength and comfort to their families who must bear this terrible burden. And finally, we pledge our continued efforts to end this war soon.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 27th, 2008 at 12:38 pm and is filed under Politics .