2nd Editorial - Final Draft

Imagine watching the person you love leave to fight overseas; your father, mother, brother, sister, daughter, son. Imagine hugging him/her for what could possibly be the last time. Now imagine doing this for the second or third time.

According to the Omaha World-Herald, many Nebraskan soldiers of the 443rd Transportation Company will be flying out of Indiana later this week for Kuwait to complete a yearlong deployment in Kuwait and Iraq. Of the 300 soldiers preparing to deploy, about half have already completed at least one previous deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan. They will likely not return until early 2010. Many of their families have already faced the uncertainty of watching their loved ones deploy at least once if not twice. It would be hard to imagine the separation getting any easier with time.

In August of 2006, the Lincoln Journal Star published an article featuring a statement from Senator Chuck Hagel that “the United States needs to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq within the next six months.” Two and a half years later, we are instead redeploying troops overseas.

During his campaign, President Obama was adamant in his plans to bring American soldiers home from active duty overseas. Recently, according to the Miami Herald, the Obama Administration is currently considering at least two different plans for withdrawal from Iraq. The first plan would preserve Obama’s campaign pledge to get all American soldiers out of Iraq within 16 months. The second would stretch the plan to 23 months. A third option of 19 months is also being considered, officials said. According to the article, “the main focus appears to be on the 16-month and 23-month options; 23 months would run to the end of 2010.”

Hopefully, within the next couple of years, our troops will be brought home to stay. If Obama’s plans for troop withdrawal go through, the families of these brave men and women will finally be reunited with their loved ones for good, and many will finally be able to enjoy a sound night’s sleep. After seven years of overseas duty, it is safe to say they have earned it.