In the President's Memorial Day speech, George W. Bush referred to Army Specialist Ronald Tucker of Fountain, Colorado. He said this of soldier Tucker:
As a young man, Ronnie was known for having an infectious smile and a prankster's sense of humor. And then he joined the United States Army, which brought out a more mature side in him. Ronnie transformed from a lighthearted teenager into a devoted soldier and a dutiful son who called his mother every day from his post in Iraq. In his final act of duty, less than a month ago, he worked with other members of his unit to build a soccer field for Iraqi children. As he drove back to his base, an enemy bomb robbed him of his life. And today our nation grieves for the loss of Ronnie Tucker.
The world is aware of the unifying capacity of sports. America recalls the rag tag group of hockey players that won Olympic gold against all odds in Lake Placid, New York. Last year, the Iraqi National Soccer team, the "Lions of Two Rivers" won the Asian Cup. What George Bush's speechwriter did not know was the Iraqi government issued a decree May 20th that dissolves their Olympic Committee and all sports federations, including soccer. As a result, FIFA announced the Iraqi National team would be banned from all international competition for a year, unless their national federation is quickly re-established. George W. Bush also noted in his speech:
"It is a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom that the number of headstones in a place such as this grows with every new Memorial Day. In a world where freedom is constantly under attack and in a world where our security is challenged, the joys of liberty are often purchased by the sacrifices of those who serve a cause greater than themselves. "
Who knew the "Lions of Two Rivers" would lose their freedom to play international matches in a free and democratic Iraq? How do those Iraqi children, now playing on a Ronnie Tucker built field, feel about this development? (Update 5-29-08: Fifa relaxes Iraq World Cup ban. 6-12-08 IOC keeps their ban in place)
As a young man, Ronnie was known for having an infectious smile and a prankster's sense of humor. And then he joined the United States Army, which brought out a more mature side in him. Ronnie transformed from a lighthearted teenager into a devoted soldier and a dutiful son who called his mother every day from his post in Iraq. In his final act of duty, less than a month ago, he worked with other members of his unit to build a soccer field for Iraqi children. As he drove back to his base, an enemy bomb robbed him of his life. And today our nation grieves for the loss of Ronnie Tucker.
The world is aware of the unifying capacity of sports. America recalls the rag tag group of hockey players that won Olympic gold against all odds in Lake Placid, New York. Last year, the Iraqi National Soccer team, the "Lions of Two Rivers" won the Asian Cup. What George Bush's speechwriter did not know was the Iraqi government issued a decree May 20th that dissolves their Olympic Committee and all sports federations, including soccer. As a result, FIFA announced the Iraqi National team would be banned from all international competition for a year, unless their national federation is quickly re-established. George W. Bush also noted in his speech:
"It is a solemn reminder of the cost of freedom that the number of headstones in a place such as this grows with every new Memorial Day. In a world where freedom is constantly under attack and in a world where our security is challenged, the joys of liberty are often purchased by the sacrifices of those who serve a cause greater than themselves. "
Who knew the "Lions of Two Rivers" would lose their freedom to play international matches in a free and democratic Iraq? How do those Iraqi children, now playing on a Ronnie Tucker built field, feel about this development? (Update 5-29-08: Fifa relaxes Iraq World Cup ban. 6-12-08 IOC keeps their ban in place)
