Last Wednesday night, while walking around the Memorial Union, I entered the Gold Star Hall and was stunned by its beauty and majesty.

The soft glowing lights illuminated the flags that stood above the door, and the stained glass windows produced an ambiance of solemn pride.

I began reading the names of the men and women who had died in World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam, and wondered about those young men who had given everything they had for their country.

I felt unworthy of their sacrifice and the sacrifices made by their families and loved ones.

I then wondered where the names of this war’s casualties will go.

The quote that is above the doorway reads:

“For Thee they died / Master and Maker, God of Right / The Soldier dead are at Thy gate / Who kept the spears of honor bright / And Freedom’s house inviolate.”

I began to think about this war and the hundreds of men and women who have died to defend the honor of America and preserve the freedom of the Iraqi people.

At least this is what I like to think they sacrificed their lives for, but the many questions about the motivation for this war is lost in a sea of politics, deception and outright lies.

We have been told by our president that things in Iraq are going well, but this weekend, 50 Iraqi police officers were killed — execution style — just north of Baghdad in an attack led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian extremist whose group is now declaring its obedience to Osama bin Laden and al-Qaida.

Is this what winning the war on terrorism looks like?

There are more cells of terrorist groups throughout the world now than there were before the attacks of Sept. 11.

Every day I read the news online or in the papers, and I can’t help but get angry that this kind of action is happening now, in this day and age.

We are barbarians killing Iraqis and killing Americans.

Then my anger turns to grief — grief over the men and women who are currently stationed in Iraq, giving everything they have to make this a better world for themselves and future generations.

The Sept. 11 Commission Report, on page 66, states clearly that, although there were, at one point, at least some communications between Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, “we have seen no evidence that these or the earlier contacts ever developed into a collaborative operational relationship.”

Nor have we seen evidence indicating that Iraq cooperated with al-Qaida in developing or carrying out any attacks against the United States.”

We are in a war where the true reason behind the murder of Americans and Iraqis is lost, and the motivation of this administration is in question.

I am sad to think that these brave people who have willingly made the sacrifice of their time, their bodies and their lives will be seen as casualties of a mistake or a lie.

To them and to their families, I want to say that I am so sorry. Please forgive me that I do not have the courage you have to give that much of myself to a country I love so much.

The people of this nation, no matter what their stance on this war, no matter who they are voting for, no matter what their political persuasion, owe these men and women, these brave, young soldiers, more retribution than is possible for me to convey.

They are the embodiment of America, standing strong against a sea of adversity, praying for the salvation of the Iraqi people and of themselves.

Thank you.