On Saturday I was pretty sure I would not be able to write anything about the day, because I was—and remain—overwhelmed. If you know a war hero or war heroes intimately, you know what I mean. When you are among a group of them, you just are–to latch onto a cliché, albeit a true one–darn proud to be an American. And you feel pretty silly about the things you complain about on a given day. These guys have the usual crap life’s days can throw you—family spats, girl troubles—and then trying to figure out how to walk on two new legs. And maybe an arm on top of that. And maybe no sight. And sleepless nights of hellish nightmares. Even the littlest things: the sight of Marines who can’t finish a plate—because of months of not eating (maybe while in a coma, maybe while his mouth was shut closed), shrunken stomachs is heartbreaking. But they overcome—and sometimes go back. So many of the guys I talked to Saturday just wanted to get back to work. Captain David Rozelle went back to Iraq—after running a marathon and a few other business items.

Anyway, in that atmosphere, it’s actually kinda hard to even make the first approach—even as a journalist. All you want to do is say is “thank you” and let them be. Maybe talk about something fun, but not make them relive what happened. But these guys are great and natural, and so before too long, they ease you into it, make you comfortable. Making you evermore grateful for them (as if almost dying wasn’t enough).

By the end of the day—a few NR-types hung out with a few awesome Marines at Daily Grill in Georgetown (the restaurant was great, people eating at the restaurant were in awe) till the wee hours—I couldn’t not write a few words about these remarkable young men, since we have this forum here and all. You just can’t help wanting everyone to get to meet them in some way.

And as I said yesterday, having these guys in your memory bank does make you louder and angrier when you’re screaming at Democrats dribbling their talking points about Iraq. Don’t you ever tell these guys their effort was a waste. Can you imagine what that’s gotta be like to hear from members of Congress?