As citizens of the United States, we have never been asked to give blind support to anything. For that matter, our system of government allows us the opportunity to support or reject any idea presented to us.

At the same time, U.S. citizens also have grown to offer a small sense of blind support during certain times in our nation’s history.

Without sorting through a school book on American history, we can point to a couple of specific examples of recent "blind support." After Sept. 11, 2001, Americans united behind New York and victims of the terrorist attacks. One month later, those same Americans united behind a "War on Terrorism" waged in the deserts of Afghanistan.

This weekend, many in Demopolis and Marengo County learned that troops from the area may be called to duty once again. With a pending war in Iraq, members of the Alabama National Guard, including guardsmen from our area, may be called to serve this country again.

No, blind support is not part of the American landscape – for the most part. When we agree, we vote in favor of a plan. When we disagree, we vote against a plan.

But when it comes down to the local men and women who protect our nation, whether they serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or National Guard, we are duty-bound to offer our blind support.

Many of us in Marengo County don’t understand all the intricacies of a war with Iraq. We don’t know if that war will be waged over a fear of Saddam Hussein, the safety of the Middle East, the safety of the United States, or the concern over oil prices.

Understanding a war such as the one we could face is not something easily done.

As citizens of this nation, and as friends of the local men and women who easily could be called to duty, we owe our friends and neighbors every ounce of support we can muster.

To those who serve in our armed forces – whether it’s the Army or the National Guard – we say thank you. We appreciate your service to our nation and to our community.

America wasn’t set up with principals of blind support. But today, we offer that to the men and women protecting our freedom.