VICKSBURG - The anniversary impends, but at least 33 Mississippians won't be here to watch replays of the devastation of 9/11.
They have, to borrow Lincoln's words from Gettysburg, given "the last full measure of devotion" by dying in an American uniform while liberating Afghanistan or freeing Iraq from its dictator or while trying to keep the peace in hopes new, democratic nations will arise where none have existed before.
Pfc. Damien L. Heidelberg of Batesville, Staff Sgt. Kenneth R. Bradley of Utica, Spc. Bryan Edward Barron of Biloxi.
When the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center were hit, then the Pentagon and then as word spread about heroic passengers aboard United Flight 93 who were apparently overpowering their hijackers when their jetliner plunged into a Pennsylvania pasture, those who were able to say anything at all said, "This changes everything.
Spc. Jeremiah J. DiGiovanni of Tylertown, Sgt. Larry R. Arnold Sr. of Carriere, Staff Sgt. Jeffrey F. Dayton of Caledonia.
As the sun set that day, President Bush, in office eight months, vowed from the Oval Office that reprisal would be won from the masterminds of the attack and any nation that harbored them.
Spc. Raphael S. Davis of Tutwiler, Sgt. Daniel Ryan Varnado of Saucier, Spc. Audrey Daron Lunsford of Sardis.
Speaking to the next graduating class of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Bush emphasized that Americans were a peaceful people with no interest in conquest. But, he said, we would no longer react. We would pre-empt.
Pfc. Christopher D. Mabry of Chunky, Staff Sgt. Joe Nathan Wilson of Crystal Springs, Staff Sgt. Saburant "Sabe" Parker of Foxworth.
The Taliban regime of Afghanistan, which had accommodated Osama bin Laden and al-Quaida, fell quickly.
Pfc. Steven P. Baldwyn of Saltillo, Staff Sgt. Joshua S. Ladd of Port Gibson, Cpl. Clifton Blake Mounce of Pontotoc.
Next up was Iraq, where Saddam Hussein was flouting United Nations resolutions. Bush never said Iraq had a role in 9/11, but he did say the rogue nation was pursuing or had weapons of mass destruction and that Saddam had to go. Deadlines were given, and ignored. American military might imposed a crushing blow in March 2003. On May 1, Bush was exuberant in thanking the military while standing in front of a "Mission Accomplished" banner stretched across the bridge of an aircraft carrier.
Second Lt. Therrel Shane Childers of Harrison County, Spc. Joshua I. Bunch of Hattiesburg, Lance Cpl. Marc Lucas Tucker of Pontotoc.
It has been said that Americans have no appetite for a long war. It is documented that attitudes are shifting. Fully half of all Americans in multiple polls say the war in Iraq is wrong. Many say it has increased, not reduced, world tensions and encouraged more terrorism, not less.
Sgt. Clint D. Ferrin of Picayune, Sgt. 1st Class Sean Michael Cooley of Ocean Springs, Sgt. Jonathan W. Lambert of Newsite.
Plastic, ribbon-shaped emblems with magnetic backing and "Support Our Troops" imprinted on them remain the rage in Mississippi. Only a few have, "Bring Them Home," as an addendum to the message.
Cpl. Henry Levon Brown of Natchez, 2nd Lt. Matthew R. Stovall of Horn Lake, Spc. James A. Chance III of Kokomo.
The wags of television, doing what they do, are predicting the 2006 federal elections will really be a referendum on the war.
Spc. Larry Kenyatta Brown of Jackson, Spc. Joseph A. Rahaim of Laurel, Staff Sgt. Travis S. Cooper of Macon.
We'll see.
Sgt. Timothy R. Osbey of Magnolia, Spc. Terrence D. Lee Sr. of Moss Point, Spc. Robert Shane Pugh of Meridian.
Meanwhile, we can remember what happened on 9/11, wonder whether it could have been prevented, wonder whether the administration response was righteous and wonder when the "War on Terror," if ever, will end?
Spc. Robert A. McNail of Meridian, Staff Sgt. James D. Mowris of Aurora, Engineman 1st Class Vincent Parker of Preston.
The Center for American Progress, whatever that is, has pegged the monetary cost of the war directly contributed by Mississippians, so far, at $703.5 million.
But for 33 families that have buried a soldier or sailor, for countless others with kin in full-time service or in the more than two dozen called-up Reserve and Guard units, 9/11 is not something they think about in monetary terms or just once in a while.
It's their reality.
Every day.
