The War Isn't Over Yet

In the article This War can Still Be Won, Army special forces officer Major Fernando Lujan makes a great argument that the war in Afghanistan can be won. Major Lujan spent 14 months in Afghanistan and lived with Afghan soldiers and got first hand experience on what was really going on in the war. In the article Major Lujan talks to Afghan soldiers who tell him how the Taliban ruled the land in Helmand and Kandahar provinces until 2010 when U.S. and ally troops started to take it back. I fully agree and know it to be fact because from April 2010 to November 2010 I was in Helmand province Afghanistan with 3rd Battalion 1st Marines. When we first arrived in Helmand province there were no Afghan soldiers, it was just Marines, and the Taliban controlled the entire area as far as you could see. The people were unkind and wouldn't even give us a second glance, and we were under constant attack. After many months of patrolling, meeting with local elders, building schools and even escorting the kids to school everyday the fighting became less and less frequent and more Afghan soldiers appeared. In around September of 2010 the Afghan soldiers made their presence in our area of operations in Helmand province and we were training them to take over.
                 At the end of the article Major Lujan makes the argument that we should "be smarter about the way we use our tapering resources to empower those Afghans willing to lead and serve." This I also agree with. Rather than just have a mass exodus of troops we should be willing to train and educate the Afghan people so that when we do leave they have a fighting chance of making their country into a civilized place.

Marine wins Medal of Honor

This article is a must read for anyone that considers themselves a true American. Far too many people in our society can name the latest pop star or movie actress, but who knows the real American heroes that sacrifice their lives for our freedom? In this article former Marine Dakota Meyer risked his life in order to save his fellow Marines and Afghan Army comrades. Not only did he run into gun fire, but he did it five times in order to save his friends. Dakota Meyer is a true American hero and everyone should know his name and his story, he and his fellow Marines put their lives on the line for this country and not enough people show them the credit or respect that they deserve.

Marine Wins Medal of Honor

You can watch the video at

Medal of Honor Recipient