Soap Box

Al Asad Air Base, a U.S. Marine installation in Iraq, was attacked by a small band of ISIS forces yesterday. The attack was repelled and from what I gather all the ISIS scumbags who participated were killed.

It brought back memories of 2009 when we were on tour in Iraq entertaining the troops and Al Asad was one of the stops we made, thinking back on all the fresh young faces in the bleachers of the soccer stadium venue we were in, the horrendous sand storm that came up right on cue as we played the first notes and later when we moved the after show autograph session to a theater to get everybody out of the weather.

We did autographs and took pictures after every show we did, no matter how many troops attended or how long the lines were and it gave us an up close and personal experience with thousands of young men and women who volunteered to stand between America and her enemies.

These are truly America's best, dedicated, selfless young men and women who knowingly walk right into the lion's den without a backward glance nor complaint and devote a part of their young lives to keeping America strong and free.

To be in the company of these warriors in a war zone was a life changing experience for me and as a lifelong and avid supporter of the military, it reinforced my patriotism and the truth that I came to many years ago that only two things protect the United States of America, the Grace of Almighty God and the United States military.

When I hear some pompous politician discussing defense budgets and the disposition of our troops in a cavalier fashion it makes me want the grab hold of his necktie and give it a good jerk.

I was watching the news this morning and there was a story about some group of college students who wanted Universities to stop investing their funds in oil because of environmental concerns, and protesting America's use of drones in the War on Terror.

What a difference between so many of today's college students and the men and women in uniform and you can't help but wonder if their college campus was attacked by terrorists if they'd be willing to be rescued by a drone strike.

I have often said that if the youth of America had the dedication, the discipline and the sense of personal responsibility the ones in the military have, this would be a far different and far better country.

On one of my trips overseas I went by the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and went from ward to ward spending a few minutes with the troops who had been medevac�d there from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, some grievously injured, limbs missing, head wounds and all kinds of serious wounds.

The most common remark I heard was, �I've got to get back to my unit."

Their concern was not for themselves but for their brothers and sisters they had left in the field, a burning desire to go back to the battle.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I submit to you that these brave young men and women deserve the best, the best weapons, the best health care and most of all, the best leadership.

They are not a poker chip in a game of political one-upmanship or partisan vendetta. They are not to be deployed without a very real and valid threat to the defense of America and they should be lead by seasoned officers whose utmost concern is to bring them all back home.

Here's to the men and women who make up the greatest fighting force the world has ever known.

The United States Military

What do you think?

Pray for our troops and the peace of Jerusalem.

God Bless America

Charlie Daniels