You may remember from several weeks ago the NY Times editorial written by seven men stationed in Iraq entitled The War As We Saw It. They felt like America had outlived its "reluctant welcome", based on their observations.
And then a couple of weeks ago two of the authors of the op-ed died, killed by a vehicle accident before they could leave Iraq.
Now there's a fund being set up in honor of these men, to raise money for Fisher House, which provides housing for families of wounded soldiers. Way back when I lived on an Air Force base, I was involved in raising money for this charity. It's a good cause: there are only a few military treatment centers in the U.S. and Europe, and most families can't afford to visit their loved ones without financial help and a place to stay. (This is a concept similar to Ronald McDonald House.)
The goal is to raise $10,000 dollars. Details are here, and donations can be made here.
Those soldiers, like all members of the military, took an oath to defend the constitution of the United States, and in these days when freedom of speech is sometimes questioned—even by major presidential candidates, we should honor those who exercise their rights while at the same time defending them.