Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Last Saturday we took our three grandsons to DFW Airport to Welcome Home troops returning from the battlefield for some much needed R & R. These soldiers male & female are more war weary that we as citizens are but yet they willingly do their job. The boys made signs welcoming and blessing the troops. Judging by the artwork on their signs they view American soldiers as heroes.
You could see it in their eyes. I realized that unless you have been on the battlefield it is difficult to imagine what they have experienced and are experiencing regularly.
We have the best trained armed forces in the world but at the same time they are the smallest standing army we have had in decades. Therefore they experience multiple deployments. With each one they face possible loss of life or limb. They do not do it alone - as their families face it with them with the same great honor and courage.
It was & is a great experience at DFW Airport to welcome home the troops for children and adults alike showing appreciation to those who risk it all for us. Passing on the importance of God and Country to our children and grandchildren is a responsibility we need to wholeheartedly embrace.
Because of the multiple deployments we were instructed to keep a distance as walking through the crowd of cheering fans can be very overwhelming and even alarming to those who have had so many deployments. Some shook our hands and took the gum we offered for 
the rest of their trip but some just wanted to get to their bus and or connecting flight as quickly as possible.
Not only have they lost fellow fighting brothers but some have lost girlfriends and wives through divorce. Military divorce rates are high especially for female soldiers.
They truly sacrifice much to protect and defend America. What do they get in exchange?
Unfortunately too often they get a political establishment that does not fully support what they do and even dictates the politically correct war strategy that since WWII has not been a winning strategy.
The sad part is that we as a nation have become wimps as we have lost our national identity. So much in fact that we do not have the stomach to support a winning military strategy. Our military leaders know how to win but have to defer to Washington D.C. who sees war through a foreign policy lens.
If our sports team approached football in this way we would be fighting mad at them. We want our teams to win!
Lasting peace comes when wars are won. Negotiated peace never lasts. The decision by President Truman to bomb two Japanese cities a controversial decision that cost him a second term brought about an early end to the war and lasting peace.
Constitutionally one of the main functions that the federal government is charged with is providing for the common defense or national security. And yes national security means securing our borders and protecting citizens who live along that border. This is one area we must continue to support.
The idea that America does not need a strong military defense is dangerous. We maintain peace through our strength not through weakness.
But when it comes to the military too many of our leaders and many of our citizens call for cuts to the military first before cutting elsewhere in our mammoth budget. Most Americans do not realize that we are leaving our military in an even more precarious situation resulting in 
more loss of young lives. The lack of modernization and innovation of weapons will and is leaving us defenseless in a more dangerous world. The most shocking thing is that we have no missile defense system (missile shield) to protect American cities from missile attacks.
Our enemies today do not fight by the rules; they make their own rules that go against basic human decency. They fight using children and hide behind women. There is no respect for life.
Even if we withdraw completely from their lands when they gain the capabilities they will come after us on a big scale. What we have seen it on a small scale does not compare to what they have planned. It will be nothing like we have ever seen.
It is time for us to support our troops who fight for us honorably willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. It is time to support their families. Above all when they come home injured we need to see to it they receive everything they need to recover and get on their feet again.
We must teach our children and grandchildren the value of service to ones country. They need to know that the United States of America is exceptional and why.
My owm grandsons looked with awe and pride on these men and women who were returning for a time of rest and recreation. The youngest since Saturday has repeatedly said He shook my hand". Of 
course theyre boys and think soldiers and weapons are cool but regardless we could learn from their awe.
What I will remember most is that they raised the American flag high and in their little hearts they seemed to understand and appreciate what these soldiers do for us.
Carol Sewell is the author of We the People: Know the Past Understand the Present Secure the Future" with foreword by David Barton. A resident of Plano Texas Sewell is a speaker writer & author who can be reached via email at carolsewell@g2g.org.
