As we enter into year five of the Iraq War, I set out to write today's column about the lack of sacrifices a majority of we Americans are being asked to make here at home.

First, let me make clear - this is in no way a negative reflection on the courage of our troops and their families, friends and employers who know first hand the heart-wrenching worry, the horrifying injuries and ultimate sacrifices they and their loved ones have made and continue to make while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It's just that as the White House and some members of Congress continually hinge their comments on the phrase "This country is at war," you have to ask yourself if in our daily lives we really are. There are so few, if any, sacrifices made here in the United States to attest to that fact. With my early childhood memories of World War II, there's a stark contrast between then and now. Life here was nothing as awful as to what Europeans suffered, but after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, all Americans were required to sacrifice. Only small amounts of rationed food, clothes, gasoline and tires were available as consumer goods took a back seat to military production.

Can you imagine today being limited to only one automobile with no pleasure trips and no more than four gallons of gas a week?

Late last week I received an e-mail about a friend, who as a civilian with medical problems of her own, is headed to Afghanistan for the third time in two years on a humanitarian mission to assist the Afghani street children and orphanages/schools with medical supplies, food, educational materials and clothes.

Despite the profound security issues compounded by two women traveling there alone, Dr. Lynda Cook, formerly of Northwest Indiana and now living in Indianapolis, will journey to Kabul in April with Diana Haskins of California to help three orphanages/schools and another organization that looks after the street children there.

For this trip they are working with the not-for-profit Ambassadors for Children based in Indianapolis. It assists children worldwide but thus far had not ventured into Afghanistan because of the difficulties there.

While Lynda and Diana pay for their own airfare, food, and accommodations, they are raising money to take to Afghanistan to purchase the needed supplies. They also will contact coalition personnel at Camp Eggers in Kabul to arrange for future shipments of Nourish the Children dried food packets.

Even though Lynda writes that "Once you have been there, one understands how to protect oneself," the security in and around Kabul will be much more tenuous than in her two other trips. They will stay in a guest house built to protect guests and will ride with an experienced driver.

If you wish to help, your Tax-deductible donations should be addressed to:

Ambassadors for Children (AFC)
C/O AAOH
5710 Hollister Ave. #155
Goleta, CA 93117

The opinions are solely those of the writer.
Contact her at janetcopywrite@sbcglobal.net.