As we consider our dead military in Iraq it might help to remember those who sacrificed their lives during our Revolutionary War.
The British soldiers were considered the best trained in the world and were attempting to implement their King's orders to bring the rebels back into subjection.
The French government used its military in their attempt to gain favor with the new nation, looking for trade and assistance with their international politics. The French soldiers sacrificed their lives fighting for their King and the mercenaries fighting along side sacrificed their lives for a paycheck.
The rebels who died sacrificed their lives for an idea, a principle they never experienced, the freedom we have today that we assume will always be ours.
A major difference between our Revolutionary War and the military action in Iraq and Afghanistan is the colonies asked for help to gain their freedom. In Iraq we used our freedom to invade a sovereign country remove their government, dissolve their military and are now attempting to form a government we like. In Afghanistan we did something quite similar plus we installed our choice for their president.
Some join the military services for the pretty uniforms others for the "glory" others for a job. Regardless of the motivation they have volunteered to be tool to be used to enforce our government's will. There lives are of little concern.
Today in Iraq we have our military and contractors. Contractors are mercenaries, fighting for a paycheck. If they survive they will have been well paid. If they do not, nothing they gained will have been worth what they lost.
