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Independent Record | Honoring our veterans means ending forever wars
Oct. 7 marked the 18th anniversary of the 2001 U.S. invasion of Afghanistan. Ever since that fateful day, our veterans and their families have borne the brunt of our nation’s wars. They’ve served selflessly and courageously, often taking on multiple tours of duty while spending months or even years away from loved ones, missing birthdays and graduations, and losing their brothers and sisters in arms.
Around here, these costs hit home -- veterans make up 10.6% of our state’s population, the third-highest percentage in the country. It’s all too common in Montana to know a veteran who is dealing with post-traumatic stress, debilitating injuries or a difficult career transition.
Our continued involvement in Afghanistan, Syria and a host of other less-noticed locations have sapped our collective strength, drained $6 trillion from our treasury, and distracted us from more important issues.
The time has come to end our participation in these conflicts. |
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