War stories

I attended the annual reunion of the 73rd Bomb Wing in Memphis, Tenn. last weekend. The 73rd flew B-29s from Saipan to bomb Japan during World War II. I saw pictures and heard stories from the aging men of the "Greatest Generation." Many of their stories made me think about the discussion of the Iraq War and how it will be described in 60 years. \nOne vet told of participating in what was likely one of the last bomb runs of WWII, and how it actually took place after the war ended. When the plane took off, the war was still on. The crew was told to listen for the code word "Utah" which would signify that the war had ended and that the mission should be aborted. The word never came and the crew dropped its bombs on a small town in northern Japan of limited, if any, strategic significance, at around 2 a.m., two hours after hostilities officially ceased. \nThere was obviously nothing sinister in this. It was merely a communications error and was likely no one's fault. You might describe it as a "tactical" error. At least that's how Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice might characterize it. Last week she said during a speech in Blackburn, England that the United States had made many "tactical" errors in the conduct of the Iraq war, but that the fundamental "strategic" choice to fight the war was right.\nThe story and Rice's remarks made me think about why many of the horrific attacks on civilians during WWII didn't, and don't, raise the same amount of indignation that much less horrific attacks today raise. Part of it is likely a different sense of human rights and the laws of war. But I think a large part of it might be that Americans, then and now, agreed with the "strategic" choice to fight WWII. Because it was viewed as a necessary war, many of the "tactical" errors were, and are, forgiven. Today, the strategic choice is very much questioned, leading to more criticism of the tactical errors. \nMy weekend with the 73rd made me realize two things. First, that we need to separate the "tactical" and "strategic" questions, when evaluating the Iraq war. Whether you agree with the strategic choice or not, it's clear that tactical errors were made and that it is in everyone's interest to see those tactical mistakes fixed. It's a shame that Rice immediately backed away from her admission that "thousands" of tactical errors were made. The only way that the strategic situation can be redeemed (if it's possible at all) is by admitting the tactical errors and acting to correct them. \nThe second thing I realized is that everyone should take advantage of the time remaining to hear the stories of the "Greatest Generation." So call your dad, grandfather, great-uncle, or neighbor, and settle down for story time. It will be worth it.