WHAT PRICE GLORY?

Oh, how quickly and steeply rises the cost of enticing naïve, earnest young people to participate in our immoral military venture in Iraq.

Back in the Halcyon days following the September 11 attacks, idealists gave up job and family to fight against whoever the Bush administration pointed them at. Pat Tillman, poster hero for this phenomenon, tore up a multimillion dollar pro football contract to become an Army Ranger and fight the Taliban in Afghanistan. When he was killed by friendly or not so friendly, friendly fire, military script writers went to work and fashioned up a John Wayne To The Rescue finish for Ranger Tillman, turning him into a military recruiter’s dream. The truth, which may include homicide of an administration icon about to come out against the Iraq war, has yet to be revealed.

Now, after months of not meeting their recruiting goals, the military is offering staggering bonuses of $20,000 for new recruits to start their basic training early. It’s working as July will break the downward enlistment cycle and meet its quota.

These enlistees have no idea of the Devil’s bargain they have made for roughly a year’s salary up front. They will be sent to fight in a 130 degree killing field ignited by their Commander In Chief for a variety of reasons known only to him and his war cabinet. If they aren’t killed, maimed or otherwise injured in their repetitive and extended tours to prop up a disintegrating military, they will return with a significant risk of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, ticking time bombs created by the horror of needless war.

And when we launch our second senseless war in Iran, the price of procuring rent-a-soldiers will no doubt rise again. Oh, when will they ever learn?

Originally published in Glen Ellyn Sun, September 7, 2007