Terry Everett, May 5, 2003

Standing on the deck of one of America's greatest symbols of peace through strength, the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, President Bush last week declared an end to the major fighting in the war in Iraq. That moment represented a milestone in our nation's efforts to make our people and the world safer from terrorism and rogue regimes bent on our destruction. For now, the war changes in character, but not in purpose.

Operation Iraqi Freedom will no doubt go down in the annals of history as one of the most successfully planned and fought military campaigns. President Bush, General Franks, Secretary Rumsfeld, and our men and women in uniform accomplished an incredible feat by liberating a nation the size of California in less than six weeks.

The historians are already writing about the speed of our victory and the relatively low loss of life. But the real heroes of Iraqi Freedom are our fighting men and women. As President Bush pointed out from the flight deck of the Lincoln, "Our Nation and our coalition are proud of this accomplishment, yet it is you, the members of the United States military, who achieved it. Your courage, your willingness to face the danger for your country and each other, made this day possible."

For Alabama, a state with a long tradition of military service, the meaning of sacrifice came home to a half dozen families who lost loved ones in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Army Pfc. John E. Brown of Troy, Army Sgt. Troy David Jenkins of Repton, Army Pfc. Howard Johnson II of Mobile, Army Pfc. Kelley S. Prewitt of Birmingham, Army Staff Sgt. Nino D. Livaudais of Fort Mitchell, and Marine CWO Robert W. Channell, Jr. of Tuscaloosa are all heroes. Their stories stand out as benchmarks of courage in the campaign to free Iraq.

Pfc. John E. Brown's pride in bringing liberty to Iraqi children is chronicled in the April 28 edition of U.S. News and World Report. The Pike County native died of an accidental detonation of a grenade. Sgt. Troy Jenkins threw himself on an unexploded cluster bomb so that his comrades would be spared the blast. The Conecuh County soldier later died of his wounds. Staff Sgt. Nino Livaudais gave his life while attempting to come to the aid of a woman before a terrorist vehicle explosion. Pfc. Howard Johnson died just three days after the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom when his Army convoy was ambushed and taken captive near Nasiriyah. Pfc. Kelley Previtt died during a firefight with the enemy, and CWO Robert Channel was killed in an explosion while he was securing an Iraqi military installation.

The major battles are now memories and the role of our military personnel is slowly shifting from combat to peacekeeping. While the nation pauses to contemplate our success to date in Iraq, it is very important to remember that the toughest challenge lies ahead. The location of Saddam's weapons of mass destruction, and the rebuilding of Iraq's infrastructure and government will require continued American commitment for many months, perhaps years. And the ongoing war against terrorism around the globe could last for decades.

We are on the threshold of a historic opportunity to transform Iraq into a stable and democratic influence in the Middle East. This great challenge demands that we must proceed carefully, but with full dedication and commitment from the United States. Our work and the dangers we face are far from over.

Congressman Terry Everett represents the 2nd Congressional District of Alabama in the U.S. House of Representatives.