Every life lost in war is a tragedy. Every effort should be made to avoid war because such actions result in thousands and tens of thousands of lost lives, both in the military and among civilians.

It has been interesting to note the efforts by some to have special recognitions marking the loss of 2,000 American lives in the 2 1/2-year Iraqi war. Two thousands lives is two thousand too many, but it is, indeed, a war – a different kind of war, but nevertheless, a war.

Those who have orchestrated the events to call attention to the 2,000 deaths probably are well-motivated, but what is the real motive behind these efforts?

In World War I, U.S. military deaths totaled 116,516. This number jumped to 405,399 in World War II. A total of 35,576 died in the Korean War and 58,209 in the Vietnam War.

There will be some, maybe many, who will question whether these past wars were justified. Many fault the Iraqi war. Who is to know what history will show? It’s possible the Iraqi war and the war against terrorism is just as important, just as dangerous to this country and its people and just as justified as the past wars that claimed so many lives.

What would have been the history of the United States or the world if America had not entered World War I, World War II, Korea or Vietnam? The answers to this question are sure to be many and varied, but who, at this time, has the answer on the lasting importance of trying to stop a new type of war, a war on terrorism in which the enemy plays the game by an entirely new set of rules but with the ultimate goal of destroying freedom.

There could have been all kinds of programs to call attention to the first thousand, second or third thousands or even the first 100,000 Americans killed in these wars, but the majority of Americans showed their pride in having sons and daughters in the service by hanging a star in the front window of their homes, a gold star for those who had lost a family member in the war.

Maybe it is proper to make a special recognition when the U.S. military death count reached 2,000 in the Iraqi war, but, at the same time, the right type of recognition and appreciation needs to be focused on those who have lost their lives in Iraq and to the thousands of American troops who lost their lives in previous wars.

A life lost in any war is a terrible loss, but is there something magical about the 2,000 deaths in Iraq? Or is this meant to be more of a political statement than a tribute and show of appreciation for those who have lost their lives in the service of this country?