The firefight ebbs. The mortar fire ceases. A few last stray rounds streak past. A cry from behind causes me to turn. Lying in the road is a young Iraqi woman. I run over to help. She’s caught a round just below her temple. Her stunning beauty has been ruined forever.She cries, “Paper! Paper” over and over until the ambulance arrives to take her away. An old lady emerges from the schoolhouse-turned voting site, sheets of blue paper in hand. She gives one to the wounded girl, who clutches it to her like a prized possession even as the ambulance carries her away.The ballot was her voice. All she wanted was a chance to exercise it, just once, before she died.

via Our Mission is Finally Accomplished… Anyone Care? | David Bellavia.

David Bellavia puts into perspective what our troops accomplished in Iraq.  This should be a must read for every citizen.  Agree with the invasion or not, it cannot be denied that our fighting men and women secured a brighter future for an oppressed people.

Read the whole thing.