Friday, April 16, 2004 :::
In an uncustomary touch, Bush drew attention to U.S. casualties in Iraq in a pointed way, quoting an Iowa father who recently buried his son, a Marine. Typically in his speeches, Bush refers broadly to military sacrifice, and he has not attended the funeral of any of the nearly 700 U.S. troops killed in Iraq.
But here, with the conflict escalating -- 92 U.S. troops have been killed this month, the deadliest month since the Iraqi conflict began 13 months ago -- Bush cited the father of Lance Cpl. Ben Carman, of Jefferson, Iowa. He quoted Carman's father as saying that his son "knew that America was in danger, and it was time for guys like him to step up to the plate." Bush expressed "deepest sympathies" to the family, saying, "I know how incredibly difficult it is for them to put their loved one into the ground."
"The situation on the ground, I readily concede, is tough work," Bush said. "We will stay the course in Iraq so his son did not die in vain." Kudos to the President for being willing to bring it up. From the Washington Post.
::: posted by dWj at 9:43 AM
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