They are ours and I mourn them.

This past week the al-Qaida-led Mujahedeen Shura Council claimed responsibility for the murders of Pfc. Thomas Tucker (left) and Pfc. Kristian Menchaca (right) in Iraq. They had been tortured.

They are ours and I mourn them. As is true for all of us, these two young men had hopes and dreams for prosperous and happy futures with their families.

When I was in the Army 40 years ago, I knew young men just like them. I WAS a young man just like them. And if you are a regular reader of this blog, you know how angry I am about Pfc. Tucker's and Pfc. Menchaca's deaths. And you know who I blame for putting them in harm's way.--Walter Haan, www.war-books.com