Have politicians paid the price?

Back in the mid 1970s, I was in the 509th paratroopers in north Italy. One of my duties was to teach jumpmaster students twice a year. One of my students was a smiling 2nd lieutenant who was at the top of his class.
Every morning when I came in, you could tell by his smiling face that he was special. He listened to every word the instructors said.
Every jumper's life depends on making no mistakes. There is no room for error. We had lost paratroopers in a jump in Germany due to an error.
Four weeks after they were killed, most passed the course.
The 2nd lieutenant and I were picked to brief several high ranking officers, the Secretary of the Army, Secretary of Defense and several generals, including Gen. Alexander Haig.
We were picked because we were experts in our field.
Years later at Fort Campbell, Ky., I met the same smiling face when I was awarded my third Purple Heart. By then, he had two stars.
At a young age this man showed the leadership our country needed. Today, I rank him up there with the names like McArthur, Ike, Bradley and Westmoreland. If our current leaders had have had this man in charge four years ago, no telling how far we would be along in the war on terror.
As a combat veteran, I know first hand the cost of war. I know the price and it's not cheap.
Even when our troops come home, the cost is high.
These men and women pay a price for years to come after the fighting is over.
We as a nation must be willing to pay this price. Are you?
Our military has not failed its mission.
Have we as a nation, failed our military?
Men like Gen. Patraeus have gone far and beyond the call.
Have our politicians done the same?

U.S. Army 1st Sgt. James Bryan, retired
Laurel Hill