However they may feel about the war in Iraq, Moore Countians of all stripes join in wishing their National Guard members Godspeed in their deployment to the combat zone, which was being completed this week.

"Our grateful nation owes you a debt we can never repay," Secretary of the Army Pete Geren told the members of the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team in a moving farewell ceremony in Fayetteville, also attended by Gov. Beverly Perdue, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr., and other distinguished guests.

This is the second time that soldiers from the brigade, based in armories here and across the state, have been called up to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. The first time was in 2004. And there is every reason to hope this will be the last, since the U.S. is now taking steps to wind down American combat involvement by sometime next year.

Words fail those of us remaining here at home as we attempt to express our respect for and thankfulness to these brave soldiers, for whom war and occupation are so much more than nightly images on network TV.

They will remain in our thoughts and prayers.