Monday, May 2, 2011

The battle, not the war.


So, unless you've been in a coma for the past 12 hours, you've probably heard that Navy Seals killed Osama Bin Laden sometime yesterday.

He was an evil man, and I'm not sorry he's gone.

His death was necessary for us to ever claim success in Afghanistan, but this is not the end of the war.

Last night as the news broke, a lot of people, including myself, half joked on Facebook about how maybe now our troops could come home. But all of us who made statements like that who are connected with the military in any way knew that it was just a hope and not reality.

But this morning I awoke to an inbox full of notes from people telling me how great it was that Will can probably come home sooner because the war is over now.

Guys, the war is not over. It's not even close. No one will be coming home early.

And while there was celebrating in the streets last night (including my street--thanks for keeping me up half the night with your cheering and fireworks, neighbors), those who are actually fighting this war were a little less jubilant.

Don't get me wrong--I don't think there's a military member out there who doesn't wish they were the one who got to put the bullet in his head. But they also know the reality that his death is going to make things a lot more dangerous for awhile.

On the radio this morning they were taking calls from locals about their reactions to the news. One soldier who leaves for Afghanistan in the coming weeks summed it up best:

"I'm glad he's dead, but I'm scared sh#%tless about the retaliation we're going to face."

Military installations at home and abroad are under heightened security as of yesterday. No ID card and installation sticker, no entry. Al Qaeda isn't just a presence in the Middle East. There are sympathizers all over, and they're going to be angry, and they will likely try to strike back.

So, be glad he's dead--I certainly am. But keep in mind that our loved ones in Afghanistan are likely going to pay the price for this in the coming year.

Don't stop being vigilant. Don't stop praying. And don't think this is over.

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