Stars and Stripes

The dedication of the World War II Memorial has just finished. On Fox News' broadcast, cameras continued to observe the dais and congregation while commentators opined. One shot caught President Bush with his arm around former President Clinton; Clinton was talking, smiling, and Bush beckoned to his father. George H.W. Bush walked over and for a moment the three stood there while Clinton continued to speak — when former President Bush laughed and gently pushed Clinton, who put his hands up in mock defense, before the three dispersed to visit others. Where else but America could men who succeeded one another for power live, stand and briefly enjoy company together?

My father overheard a tale Oliver North told on camera before the ceremony began, another testament to the humble generosity of our country: an American soldier was evacuating wounded during the days of major combat in Iraq. He loaded a few American troops onto a transport; then an Iraqi.

An embedded reporter saw this, walked up to the GI and protested, "can't you see he's an Iraqi?"

Replied the soldier, "can't you see he's wounded?"

«     »