THE United States of America is a country where disagreement is a privilege and fighting is a right. How do we say the same to the soldiers from Guam? A total of 16 from Micronesia. How do we explain to their families the meaning of sacrifice, tragedy and war?
Sgt. Eddie Chen, 31, Staff Sgt. Wilgene Lielto, 28, Spc. Derence Jack, 31 Lance Cpl. Adam Quitigua Emul, 20, and pl. Lee Roy Camacho, 27.
The oldest is 31 and the youngest 20.
These soldiers were young and had very long lives to live. They believed in God, honor and country. They fought to preserve freedom. They charted the path to democracy only to be killed by roadside bomb, an enemy bullet, a suicide bomber.
Our fallen soldiers, no matter where they are from, see a country divided by race, religion and creed.
I don’t care too much about Iraq, Vietnam, Afghanistan or Africa, yet we are forced to share their sorrow and often the hate when we experience losing someone we love.
Somewhere out there peace awaits and our boys will soon come home. A parent is not supposed to see his child’s death. But we are forced to bear the trauma, the painful experience, mindful of only asking, Why?
To Eddie, Wilgene, Derence, Adam and Lee Roy — let me return a salute, my dear soldiers, my neighbors, and may this be a better, peaceful world. You are not appreciated by the enemy, but please believe that the only enemy is man himself.

ALBERT TOPASNA
Santa Rita, Guam