Patrick Leahy: “In the opening days of the war in Iraq in 2003, before ground forces moved into the country, I received an e-mail at a…”

“In the opening days of the war in Iraq in 2003, before ground forces moved into the country, I received an e-mail at a particularly suitable moment. Just when I was about to step into a meeting with President Bush at the White House, in came a message from my friend and colleague, then two-star Rear Admiral Barry Costello. Admiral Costello was in command of Cruiser-Destroyer Group One, based in the Persian Gulf. Its flotilla, including the aircraft carrier USS Constellation, was launching cruise missile and air strikes, while its contingent of over 7,000 marines waited to move into the country. Barry poignantly said, 'we are in the forefront--and are working hard to make America proud.' I showed that note to the President. He and I disagreed on pretty much everything in the runup to the war, but at that moment we had a shared pride in Barry and the men and women under his command. The expertise, dedication, and sheer patriotism on display there in the gulf was beyond question. That moment crystallized the depth of gratitude that not only we elected leaders in Washington but also every Vermonter and American feel for our Armed Forces.”