BRUDNO: Veterans don't forget

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COMMENTARY:

Most veterans, particularly Vietnam-era veterans, know the pain their fellow Americans inflicted on those who fought that war. The "antiwar movement" - no matter how lofty its intentions - essentially blamed that war on the warriors and left deep scars on many of them. It has taken decades for those who choose military service to regain the respect of all of their countrymen. In the current presidential race, how a candidate proposes to deal with Iraq matters a lot to veterans and for them national interest trumps party affiliation.

Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid say they "support the troops," but they have long seemed determined to quickly surrender the achievements of our military, no matter the consequences. If they had their way, the lasting damage of their politically-motivated inflexibility would surely include a widening of the divide between those who serve in uniform and those who merely claim to support them.

They just don't get it. Mr. Obama's unwavering commitment to effectively bail out of Iraq - no matter how close our brave soldiers have brought us to success - will sear into the souls of those who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan the stigma of another political retreat.

Because Mr. Obama and many of his supporters have never worn the uniform, they cannot imagine what leaving the battlefield when success is in sight can do to those who have gone into battle. Veterans do. To Mr. Obama, all that seems to matter is making his point that he alone knew we should never have gone into Iraq in the first place. Even if it were true, that is not the challenge of the next president.

So, many, perhaps most veterans - even if they disagree with Mr. McCain on other issues - are likely to mobilize to help him win in November. They see the potential cost of not doing so to be having another generation of veterans demoralized for partisan, political advantage.

What the Democrats just cannot grasp is that it is not just about Iraq and why we went there years ago. It is not about "victory" and other words that Democrats have dismissed as out of date. It is about America's ability to maintain its strength, yes its pride. That is what the world expects of us when the chips are down.

Mr. Obama would give it away, hoping he can sweet talk our vicious adversaries into being good partners for peace in return. Only the truly naive believe that would happen.

Veterans are not likely to be quiet much longer. The stakes are too high. Only one candidate has said, "I would rather lose an election than lose a war." That was John McCain. He gets it. He understands his history. He knows the consequences of Mr. Obama's rigid clinging to a policy that long ago was overcome by positive events.

Before the November election, Mr. Obama may very well cut to the middle, as he has done with so many other issues. He may suddenly claim he never thought we should just leave Iraq without regard to the consequences or that he never really intended to impose a rigid timetable even if events on the ground warranted more responsible action. But leaving on a timetable was always his position. If people are to value his judgment, not experience - as he asks us to do - his judgment has been dangerously flawed and no last-minute rhetorical revisions can change that view. Neither will seeding the well-organized crowds behind his podium with "Veterans for Obama" signs.

Our country faces more challenges than just the conflicts in the Middle East. How our next government addresses those wars will set the tone for dealing with other seemingly intractable challenges. Wishful thinking is not enough. Political courage matters.

Demonstrated leadership to end the toxic partisanship matters more than just saying everyone will magically come together and hold hands. Experience also matters, particularly for one who would be Commander-in-Chief at this critical moment in history.

Some may claim the above is just another baseless charge that Mr. Obama and his "out now" supporters are not patriotic. They are patriotic; just dangerously misguided. It was not long ago that the antiwar left wrapped itself in the flag and claimed to be the real patriots. I, for one, can attest to the enduring pain they inflicted on a generation of veterans and those still grieving the loss of a loved one decades later. The labels don't matter. The facts do. We cannot let this happen again.

Veterans may be getting on in years, but they have paid their dues. They deserve to be listened to.

Robert J. Brudno is a Navy veteran. His brother was a prisoner of war in North Vietnam for seven-and-a-half years and died after enjoying only four months of freedom.