Anyone who watched the president's State of the Union speech tonight will remember at least one part of it. It was the moment that the young Iraqi woman, whose father was executed by Saddam Hussein, turned and embraced the mother of the fallen Marine Sgt. Byron Norwood.
The Iraq conflict crystalized in that instant into a vivid, moving lesson on what this war is really about. The courage of those who face the dangers, the nobility of those who bear the sacrifices, the pain of loved ones left behind, the gratitude of a new nation to its liberators, and the staggering price of freedom--it was all there, in that one inspiring, spontaneous moment.
As I watched, through welling eyes and chilled skin, I saw that the chain of Sgt. Norwood's dogtags, clutched by his mother, had become entangled in the Iraqi woman's cuff as they hugged each other. They smiled through tears and tugged a second or two before the chain came free. I was overwhelmed with the symbolism it carried.
Americans, especially our military, are eternally entwined with the spirit of the Iraqi people. Because of the bravery of our troops, the Iraqi nation had the chance to take their baby steps down freedom's path.
Iraqis will remember the friendship they have been given by the United States and its military. Iraqis are forever connected to us, our brethren in liberty. They will never forget.
Most Americans won't forget, either. I know I won't.
