Life's Like That - Nov. 5, 2009

By Jerry Bullock

The flags are at half-mast this Veterans Day. On Thursday, Nov. 5, American soldiers died on American soil at the hands of a suicidal terrorist. I realize the official stand is that this was not a terrorist act. It may not have been intended as such by the actor or, if you prefer, the “shooter.” But I would challenge anyone to show me the difference between what this deranged individual did in a crowded building and the act of a suicide bomber or sniper on the streets of Baghdad. The difference between this act and the terror of 9-11 is in magnitude but not in its practical terms.

The war on terrorism did not start on Sept. 11, 2001. For years American citizens had been kidnapped and murdered by terrorist groups. We called out the FBI. Terrorist bombs blew up American embassies. We called the FBI. American ships were bombed in supposedly friendly ports. We called the FBI. American aircraft were hijacked and blown out of the sky. We called the FBI. In Beirut and Saudi Arabia, terrorist bombs destroyed the barracks in which American Marines and Airmen lived, killing hundreds of them. We called the FBI. It took the destruction of the World Trade Center and the deaths of another 3,000 Americans for the President to go after the ones responsible for these depredations. The war goes on and Americans are giving their lives to bring an end to the age of terrorism and genocide.

On the 11 day, and at the 11 hour in Versailles, France, in 1918 the Armistice was signed to end “the war that would end all wars.” We know from painful experience that wars have not ceased.

I do not know anyone in America who loves war. In the bloodiest war of American history, the American Civil War, Robert E. Lee was quoted as saying that, "If it were not so horrible one might come to love war." War is the ultimate competition and there are those, like George Patton, who loved the competition. The truth of the matter is that in the heart of most American military men there is a sense that war should be the last resort of human endeavor. That war, if it comes, must be fought only when it is the last defense against evil and the oppression of others or ourselves.

God gives us many examples in His Word of times that the plowshares were to be beaten into swords. Once the battle has been joined, the military must be allowed to do the job their country has asked of them.

The motto of the Strategic Air Command was “Peace is our Profession.” Only through strength can peace be guaranteed. So it has become a part of the American mystique that we are a people who detest war and will always seek to avoid its terror. At the same time, it is a characteristic of the American people that we will come to the defense of the downtrodden and the oppressed.

There are many factors that lead to the battlefield. But as long as one of the objectives is the defense of our land and people, our troops deserve our support. God bless America and all Americans who are serving or have served under the flag and in the uniform of our country.

Jerry Bullock has written his weekly column for the Daily Record for more than 20 years. Jerry is a retired Air Force colonel, an ordained Baptist minister, professional counselor, military historian, speaker, and writer. He is a native Texan tracing his Texas roots to the days of the Republic.