IRAQ: For the top Marine general, war is a family affair

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In his Sept. 11 memorial message to his troops, Maj. Gen. John Kelly, the top Marine in Iraq, remembers the ‘acts of unimaginable terror [done] by the most hateful men on earth’ that day.

‘They hate the way we treat each other, these men, the way we respect each other’s differences, worship the God of our choice, love our family and friends, see goodness and dignity in every person, and worth in every life.’

Kelly ends by praising the men and women of the U.S. military who are dedicated to fighting ‘men who must be killed and an ideology that must be destroyed.’

‘A plastic flag in your car window was not your response to terrorism. A commitment to protect the nation and swearing an oath to your God to do so to your death was your reply.’

Kelly doesn’t mention it in his message, but two of those who answered the post-Sept. 11 call were his sons, both of whom joined the Marines and served in combat in Iraq.

-- Tony Perry, in San Diego

Photo: Maj. Gen. John Kelly. Credit: Associated Press

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