Gordon England, St. Paul Pioneer Press
July 31, 2007

This month I was in Iraq visiting bases where 2,600 men and women of the Minnesota National Guard had recently completed an extended tour of combat duty. During my visit to Taqqadum and Balad, every commander I met had the highest praise for the service of these dedicated warriors. The Minnesota Guard and their families endured much to help the people of Iraq.

Their contributions to winning the war on terrorism are now paying dividends. Stability and security in the Anbar province and other areas have dramatically improved, and economic development is gaining momentum.

The pride that Minnesotans have for their National Guard was most evident in April. A group of local business leaders generously shipped thousands of steaks to these brave men and women on deployment. They also hosted a "Serving Our Troops" event that reunited Guard members and their families via video link for a special meal and memorable day. Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Sen. Norm Coleman, Sen. Amy Klobuchar and other leaders joined with thousands of Guard families in St. Paul, and the Minnesota Twins also honored military families. A week later, Coleman, who had spearheaded the "Serving Our Troops" effort, visited Minnesotans in Iraq to share a steak dinner and learn firsthand of their deployment and successful operations.

The Minnesota National Guard, like other Guard, Reserve and Active Duty personnel, is the thin line and thick wall that protects and defends freedom and our way of life. Its members keep Americans safe at home by taking the fight to al-Qaida overseas wherever it may hide.

History teaches that every war is ultimately a test of national character, resolve and political will. John Stuart Mill, an English economist and philosopher, explained it appropriately in 1862: "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse."

The character, commitment and resolve of the men and women of the Minnesota National Guard set a high standard for our military and for our citizens. I thank them and their families for their service to America.

Gordon England is deputy secretary of defense. He previously served as the secretary of the Navy and as deputy secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Before joining the Bush administration, he was an executive with General Dynamics.