Lynn C. Woolsey: “It's the time of year when families reunite and renew their very close connections--connections that are actually, in…”

“It's the time of year when families reunite and renew their very close connections--connections that are actually, in most instances, the most precious parts of our lives. This Thanksgiving I know all of us were grateful for the company of those we love the most. But more than 2,000 American families sat at tables where there was one less serving of the Thanksgiving meal just a week ago. Those families lost a loved one in the deadly war in Afghanistan-- now more than 11 years long and a tragically reckless policy. I'm personally grateful for the service of all of our Afghanistan veterans and for their sacrifice and for the sacrifice of our military families. But sometimes I don't know how we as a Congress and a Nation can look them right straight in the face after everything we've put them through. The benefits of this war don't come close to justifying the devastating human cost--not just fatalities, but disfiguring wounds, lost limbs, traumatic brain injury, and demons of post- traumatic stress. They all add up to tragedy at the utmost. For too many of our veterans, the transition back to civilian life is a daily struggle. Many face not just health care challenges but joblessness, housing and credit troubles, and overall economic anxiety and stress. We've had enough of this. Why would we want to extend a war that has given so much misery and so much heartache and so few actual national security benefits?…”