Rally to lift fallen heroes

Americans have had differences of opinion over the war in Iraq since it began nearly three years ago. But that shouldn’t preclude unified national pride in our armed forces – and a unified commitment to properly caring for our wounded.

The U.S. military casualty list from Iraq and Afghanistan isn’t confined to the more than 2,400 who have lost their lives in those countries in the past four years. Among the more than 17,000 members of our military who have been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan are several hundred who have lost at least one limb. While the rate of killed to wounded for this war is the lowest in U.S. history, the amputee rate has soared.

We have a moral duty to provide the best treatment possible for these gallant survivors. And through the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, Americans who will never serve in battle can rally to fulfill that obligation.

The fund is supporting the ongoing construction of “a world-class, state-of-the-art advanced training skills facility” at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio for service members “catastrophically disabled in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan,” and for active-duty military and veterans severely injured elsewhere. The fund also assists families of the “fallen heroes.”…

Some well-known Americans, including radio talk-show host Don Imus and former President Bush, are using their bully pulpits to boost the fund-raising efforts. Yet for a sufficient amount of money to be raised, non-celebrity Americans will have to pitch in – as surely they will. To join this mission, call 1-800-340-HERO or go to the Web site fallenheroesfund.org.

Many worthy charities need more money. But what could be more worthy than a treatment-rehabilitation center for the brave warriors who have given so much of themselves for our country?