the Marines and was heading to Iraq the following week。 As I listened to him explain why he'd enlisted； his absolute faith in our country and its leaders； his devotion to duty and service； I thought this young man was all any of us might hope for in a child。 But then I asked myself： Are we serving Shamus as well as he was serving us？ I thought of more than 900 service men and women； sons and daughters； husbands and wives； friends and neighbors； who will not be returning to their hometowns。 I thought of families I had met who were struggling to get by without a loved one's full ine； or whose loved ones had returned with a limb missing or with nerves shattered； but who still lacked long…term health benefits because they were reservists。 When we send our young men and women into harm's way； we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they're going； to care for their families while they're gone； to tend to the soldiers upon their return； and to never ever go to war without enough troops to win the war； secure the peace； and earn the respect of the world。
Now let me be clear。 We have real enemies in the world。 These enemies must be found。 They must be pursued and they must be defeated。 John Kerry knows this。 And just as Lieutenant Kerry did not hesitate to risk his life to protect the men who served with him in Vietnam； President Kerry will not hesitate one moment to use our military might to keep America safe and secure。 John Kerry