Commentary; Posted: 3/26/03

Troops need support of all at home

Congressman Mark Kennedy
Guest Columnist

There has been a vigorous debate about how best to deal with Saddam Hussein. Now the president has called us to action. Just as he said in the 2002 State of the Union: ìHistory has called America and our allies to action, and it is both our responsibility and our privilege to fight freedomís fight.î

I take very seriously the thought of sending our brave men and women into harmís way. Itís a personal matter to many families, including my own; I have two nephews involved ó one in the Navy and one in the Army National Guard.

Both President Bush and I have taken constitutional oaths to defend America. And I will do whatever is necessary to keep our precious homeland safe for our families, our friends and neighbors.

Although we do not realize it everyday, we are lucky to live in a free, democratic society where no one has to fear a dictator as they do in Iraq and other places in the world.

Just as we liberated Afghanistan from the ruling Taliban and brought freedom and peace, I look forward to the day we can do that in Iraq. No one deserves to live under totalitarian rule.

On March 10 I attended a ìSupport Our Troopsî rally at the Forest Lake American Legion where hundreds of Minnesotans turned out. The patriotic music and the spirit of those in attendance were truly inspirational.

The keynote speakers were Col. Jim Noll and Rose Noll. They both spoke of the challenge faced by the families of military men and women.

I realized families on a base have each other as a built-in support system, whereas members of the National Guard who live and work with us every day need to count on each of us for their support network.

I encourage all Minnesotans to lend an ear, run an errand or make a hot dish for the families of military men and women who have been called into service. The smallest deeds mean a lot.

Our troops have been put in a difficult situation. Itís the intense heat of the approaching summer in the desert and the sand storms that are terrible.

While the lucky few have access to e-mail, some have no televisions or e-mail. I encourage all of you to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Send our fighting men and women letters and care packages to let them know you are thinking of them.

Due to heightened security, you can no longer send packages to anonymous soldiers ó you must have a name.

If you need suggestions on how you can help, please log on to my website at: www.markkennedy.house.gov and click on the ìSupport Our Troopsî button and there will be many options that you can choose from to help our troops.

The writer is the Republican congressman from the Sixth District.

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