Service & Sacrifice: Attacks on US Troops Merit Outrage
A snapshot of the burdens brave U.S. troops and military families around the world are shouldering on our behalf.
Oregon Army National soldiers are honored before their deployment to Iraq and Syria at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, on August 9, 2024.
Middle East
Iran-backed terrorist groups keep attacking and injuring U.S. military warriors serving in the Middle East. Where is the outrage?
After seven American troops and military contractors were injured in Iraq last week, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday that another eight U.S. service members were hurt during an August 9 drone attack in Syria. After being pressed for answers, the Department of Defense admitted it believes Iran was tied to the attack, which took place at the Rumalyn Landing Zone in eastern Syria.
“We assess that it was conducted by Iranian-backed militia, but we’re still digging into the specifics,” Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told Voice of America.
“Ryder told reporters the service members had been treated for smoke inhalation and traumatic brain injury,” VOA reported. “Three of the injured troops have returned to duty, he added.”
So we now know that Iran, which is widely believed to be preparing for a major attack on Israel, is responsible for injuring 15 American heroes in a single week. Again, where is the outrage?
There has been no Oval Office address to the nation from President Joe Biden. To our knowledge, there have been no emergency congressional hearings or public demonstrations demanding that the Islamic terrorist regime in Tehran be held accountable for attacking our brave men and women in uniform, which has been happening for many months in Iraq, Syria, Jordan, the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and elsewhere.
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In these divided times, one of the few things most Americans can agree on is that we are grateful to the heroes of our military and believe they should always be supported. That’s why these most recent attacks are so infuriating. Why is Iran being allowed to get away with repeatedly striking at U.S. forces, and why are so many political leaders seemingly doing nothing in response?
“What the United States really needs to be doing is to get out of a mode of being simply reactive and really try to impose a cost on Iran especially, but also Iran’s proxies for the actions they are taking,” Michael Singh of the Washington Institute of Near East Policy told VOA.
On the same day those eight American troops were injured in Syria, an emotional farewell ceremony was held for a group of National Guard soldiers in Forest Grove, Oregon. After heading to Fort Sill in Oklahoma to complete pre-deployment training, they will head to Iraq and Syria.
What measures are being taken to keep these brave men and women in uniform safe during their upcoming mission? No question matters more. Please pray for all American warriors who are already deployed or who are about to deploy to the Middle East, as well as their worried families here at home.
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Europe
As if tensions in the Middle East weren’t enough to put the world on edge, a surprise attack on Russia by Ukraine has sent shockwaves through Europe and beyond.
While the incursion started last week, Ukraine announced on Wednesday that its military had “advanced even deeper into Russian territory” and “captured hundreds of soldiers,” according to The New York Times. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously threatened nuclear war to protect his country’s “sovereignty and independence.”
Along with Putin’s response, another big question is how the surprise invasion will impact the war Russia started more than two years ago inside Ukraine.
“Military analysts say that Kyiv will need to expand or hold onto its gains in western Russia long enough to compel Moscow to divert significant forces from the battlefield in Ukraine,” the Times reported.
More than 100,000 American troops are serving across Europe, including in areas very close to Russia and Ukraine. Please keep them in your prayers.
Coming Home
A group of brave U.S. Navy sailors returned to Southern California this week after spending seven long months deployed to the Indo-Pacific region aboard the USS Somerset.
A U.S. Navy sailor embraces her husband during a homecoming for the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset at Naval Base San Diego on August 13, 2024.
Welcome home, sailors! Thank you for serving our country overseas.
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is the author of the newly released I Have Your Back, Be Bold and co-author of Three Wise Men, Brothers Forever, 8 Seconds of Courage and Fire in My Eyes. Follow Tom on X @TSileo and The Stream at @Streamdotorg.
