Have We Learned From Our Mistakes-My Thoughts on Syria

The images are shocking. High school students burned over 80% of their bodies among other civilians in Syria. In a recent genocide against their own people, the Syrian government has used chemical weapons creating a political crisis for the leading countries of the world. To the credit of President Obama, he has delayed any military force until a vote of confidence takes place by our Congress.  I ask, have we learned from our mistakes over the last ten years since the attacks on 9/11? In two wars, there have been mistakes and brave decisions,  thousands of American troops lives taken in combat, countless veterans returning with many physical and mental challenges and the many military families left behind to find a way forward without their loved ones sent off to war.

Our country has been war weary and detached from the Iraq War and the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.  Recent pictures of the suffering Syrians, creates an emotional sense of urgency as it did shortly after 9/11. When were the last time a pictures of an IED exploding an American tank, a flag draped casket being unloaded at Dover Delaware Air force Base and the actual crashing of aircrafts into the Twin Towers shown on the evening news?  Yet again we are presented graphic images of the horrific acts in Syria.

A line in the sand has been crossed. The question we face as Americans is do we continue to be the police power of the world at what cost to our own people.  We have the opportunity as citizens to have a voice in this decision by contacting our Senators and Congressman to express our concerns and views of another military attack. Why not economic sanctions and diplomacy first?  War only brings more death and destruction and should only be used as a last resort. I remember President Reagan challenging Russian President Gorbachev to tear down that wall. Then one night I watched in disbelief as the wall came down. Without a single shot the Cold War was over. We fight new and old enemies and I ask are we prepared for yet another engagement that could potentially ignite a new outbreak of wars throughout the Middle East? Let us learn from our mistakes of the past and make intentional, purposeful, well thought out decisions before we rush to war.

A Decade of Anguish Ends with Death of Osama Bin Laden

The events of September 11, 2001 forever changed my family.  I remember my son, Heath, coming from home school and stating he was going to fight for his country. Upon his graduation in 2005, he left to become a Marine and was KIA on 11/22/06 by an IED in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq. Since then, I have spent the last ten years of my life in some form of anguish.  I never thought I would hear Osama Bin Laden was captured and dead.

Late Sunday night my youngest son came into our family room and stated matter of factly that Osama Bin Laden had been killed. My first reaction was one of disbelief and I told him not to joke about something as important as that. He said it was on the news. Before I even turned the news on I received a tweet from Heath's girlfriend thanking us for Heath's sacrifice and for being part of history to bring this day to pass. I immediately went to my social media sites to see what had happened.

I have to admit I found myself overwhelmed in the moment. I could not process the emotions I felt -profound pride, deep sadness, disbelief and tears. It was as if I was hit by a tsunami of emotions of everything I had experienced since the events of 9/11. I guess deep within I struggled with the fact was my son's death in vain and over the last five years my personal life imploded as grief and depression exploded.

Osama Bin Laden's death has confirmed once and for all, my son's death was not in vain.  Our country stood strong, firm in our commitment to pursue the fight for freedom and to bring justice to those who terrorize our world. It took ten long years of anguish for those of us who actually understood by our personal pain the high cost of freedom – the blood, sweat and tears of our loved ones.  I am so proud of our special forces, troops, our country and most importantly my son Heath. To those of you who went about as business as usual taking for granted our suffering and now celebrate in this victory, all I can say to you is...God Bless America!

9/11 Remembered

The following is a 9/11 tribute that I wrote in 2007. It captured what I felt in my heart. I share this each year as my way of reflecting on the tragic events of 9/11 that forever changed my families lives. I hope it touches you in a special way.

9/11 Remembered

I remember 9/11 so vividly. The drive into work was picture perfect. I remember thinking what an awesome early fall day, sunny, warm, and the sky was brillian blue. As I sat at my desk with the radio on, I heard the announcer break in that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Centers.

I remember on 9/11, thinking maybe there was fog and a small Cessna had unfortunately lost course and crashed. Shortly thereafter, as a news reporter was interviewing an eye witness, there were screams as the second plane crashed into the second tower. Then, everything seemed to stop. Could it be terrorist? My employer sent us home and we were glued to the TV as the drama unfolded. Little did I know then that not only did the world change that day, but how dramatically and intimately it would change my family and life.

I remember on 9/11, that my son, Heath, would say he was going to fight for his country. I did not know then that he would lose his life fighting a war so his family could have a safer future.

I remember 9/11 as the day, he left to travel to this foreign field of battle, it would be the last day he would be alive on American soil. A day of last phone texts, last phone calls, and the day I began to endlessly worry about a son going to war.

I remember 9/11 as a bittersweet time of fond last memories and of the beginning of long-term pain and heartache.
I remember on 9/11, all the lives lost, the destruction, the end of a way of life America had known.

On 9/11, I pray that God will be with all the families that lost their special loved ones that day and with all the families of the brave men and women who have lost their lives fighting for our national security and freedom since then. May God give wisdom to our leaders that will lead us ultimately to a safer, free world.

God bless America, God bless you and may God bless our men and women serving our country.

Scott Warner