In many cases, the American public has lost its enthusiasm for the war in Iraq. Many of us have allowed our desire for supporting the troops to wane.
Perhaps it's understandable that our U.S. troops are receiving less vocal support than they received a year or so ago. The war is dragging on interminably, it seems, and it's becoming increasingly easy to focus upon other things.
But in Minnesota, troop support is still evident. Gov. Tim Pawlenty and three of this state's highest ranking lawmakers -- Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, Senate Minority Leader Dick Day and House Speaker Steve Sviggum -- are heading to Camp Shelby in Mississippi this week to applaud our soldiers as they travel to Iraq. Many other Minnesotans are also trekking to Mississippi (Forum Communications, which owns this newspaper, is sending a plane containing several reporters), ensuring that the troops will get a good sendoff.
The 2,600-soldier deployment is Minnesota's largest overseas mobilization since World War II and we are impressed that our state lawmakers, led by Pawlenty, continue to appreciate the sacrifices of these individuals -- and their families -- with their presence as well as their words. Pawlenty has more than once dropped everything to attend send-offs, often involving far fewer troops, in communities throughout this state. The involvement of other high-profile leaders is noteworthy.
On Monday, Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., also announced his intentions to visit the soldiers, saying he wanted to "personally express my admiration for their patriotic service."
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As for the rest of us, we can't all be there in body. But we can be there in spirit.
