The fallen ... from the 3500-plus young men and women to General Peter Pace, USMC and Chairman, JCS

This picture of General Pace, taken last weekend, was a powerful statement to us all. He understands, maybe better than most of the rest of us, the real cost of our sad adventure into Iraq. Yes, I personally would have preferred that President Bush have renominated him to the second term at the top which he so badly wanted to be--and expected to be--despite his somewhat antiquated views about gays in the military, etc. However, the situation in Iraq continues to head south ... and General Peter Pace has become just another another "war" casualty ... along with the 3500-plus who have come home in flag-draped coffins aboard C-5A's.

Heroes all ... from General Pace at the top to the lowest ranked one-striper in the sands of Iraq ...