Sacrifice

In today's edition of Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper was a double page spread dedicated to those that have given their lives for the campaign for freedom in Iraq. The page was filled with the faces of American and English soldiers, 'our best', who have given their lives for the cause.

I sat there in the comfort of the cafe I was having lunch in and was quite confronted by the vast loss of life. While I do not agree with the necessity of this war I am amazed and challenged by anyone that is willing to give their life for a 'cause', whatever it may be.

I was reminded of the call of Jesus to give up our lives for 'the cause' and found myself wondering to what level would I be willing to 'give' in response to his call.

The other reaction that I had as I gazed at the faces of these young people was to ask 'V' - 'where are the others that have given their lives for this cause?' Where is the acknowledgement that other innocent people have had their lives taken? I notice that today the counter on my site says that between 320 and 428 civilians have been killed so far in this conflict.

Where are their photos, where is the acknowledgement of their pain and sacrifice for the 'cause'? After all these are the people 'our best' have gone to fight for the freedom of - so surely their passing deserves some recognition also.

On this day I wish to remember the lives of both our soldiers but also those whom we do not know the names or faces of - all who have given their lives in these violent times.