The Missouri Veterans Memorial at the Capitol is a quiet place, of a slow-moving cascade of water flowing into a reflecting pool around which people can ponder how much is lost to war.
And how much will be.
To the east of the pool is a shaded walk that takes visitors past nine memorial obelisks remembering the nine wars in which Missourians have fought since statehood in 1821—Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, and finally the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Now, less than a year after the ninth obelisk was dedicated—after an end date of that long war was determined—it is time to plan for a tenth one.
As this is written, no Missourian has been killed in Trump’s War—-which is not what it will be called in the black granite when the tenth obelisk is installed. As of now, it probably will say “Iran War,” but it’s too early to carve anything into stone because we don’t know what the scope of this conflict will finally be.
Nor, apparently, does the man who ordered it. He started the war and now he is whining that NATO is giving him no help.
NATO, the people he has spent the last several years insulting and threatening, seems content to letting President Trump stew in his own juice. NATO is more about protecting Ukraine (remember Ukraine, Mr, President?) and itself than helping President Trump.
The Coalition of the Willing has become the Coalition of the Unwilling.
To refresh our minds: then-President George W. Bush declared at a NATO summit in 2002 that if Iraq President Saddam Hussein did not disarm (he was accused of having weapons of mass destruction), that the United States would assemble a “coalition of the willing” to do it for him.
Saddam didn’t. So George Bush’s United States and troops from 48 other countries backed the plan. Four countries eventually put boots on the ground—us, the UK, Australia, and Poland). More than three dozen other countries provided some troops but not major numbers. Some don’t even had standing armies but provide other kinds of help.
The coalition did not hold and it became a topic of political ridicule (Busch had offered foreign aid to participants, a policy that one columnist termed “a coalition of the billing” and another observer considered “a coalition of the shilling.”) By mid-2009 everybody but the United States and the United Kingdom coalition had backed away. The Coalition of the Willing was considered ended in 2010.
President Bush assembled his coalition before the fight began. President Trump just barged right in—BOMBED his way right in—to a new war and did not ask for help until Iran fought back and closed the Straits of Hormuz. Only then did he look for friends in NATO only to find he didn’t have very many anymore.
He’s watching his foreign policy by sledgehammer wielded by amateurs turn into quicksand. He is so desperate that he has lessened some sanctions against Russia—imposed as a reaction to the invasion of Ukraine—in an effort to relieve some pressure on the oil supply which seemingly could help finance further Russian operations against Ukraine, if we understand where this policy is leading. He’s firing missiles the way kids fire bottle rockets on July 4th while China watches our war-making or defensive armaments dwindle and also watches Taiwan. The early talk about not using troops is ominously sounding like —using troops.
Some observers have suggested that Iran is Trump’s Ukraine.
“Some people will die, I guess,” the President has said.
Order the tenth obelisk. Too bad the state can’t send the bill for it to President Trump.
A few weeks ago, my state representative, Dave Griffith, asked me if I could find how many Missourians died in the wars of the eighth and ninth obelisks (Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan). I could not locate numbers but I did find a website that listed the names of all of the military people who died in those conflicts. I picked out the Missouri names and sent them to him.
Their names won’t be on the obelisks although the number of those who died will be someday.
Their names are on their own monuments scattered throughout the graveyards of Missouri and elsewhere, unfortunately soon to be joined by similar monuments from Trump’s War. Here is the list from President Bush’s War, with the date of official notification. We pray their tragic coalition will not be joined by a new coalition from Mr. Trump’s War, but we fear it will be.
Let us know if your loved one killed in these long wars is not on the list.
P.O.W Network pownetwork.org
KIA KIA/BNR: THE WAR ON TERROR – Including Afghanistan
Sgt. Philip J. Svitak, 31, Joplin, Mo. 3-4-02
Lt. Terri Sue Fussner, 27, of Manchester, Mo.; 3-12-02
Staff Sergeant Daniel Kisling, of Neosho 1-30-03
Pfc. Brian J. Bradbury, 22, of Saint Joseph, Mo 6-23-05
Spc. Christopher M. Katzenberger, 25, of St. Louis, Mo 8-11-05
Spc. Blake W. Hall, 20, of East Prairie, Mo. 8-23=05
Sgt. Robert G. Davis, 23, of Jackson, Mo. 8-19-05
Chief Warrant Officer Christopher M. Allgaier, 33, of Middleton, Mo. 6-4-07
Col. James W. Harrison Jr., 47, of Missouri. 5-8-97
Pvt. Vincent C. Winston Jr., 22, of St. Louis, Mo. 9-8-08
Cpl. Gunnar W. Zwilling, 20, of Florissant, Mo.7-16-08
Spc. James M. Finley, 21, of Lebanon, Mo. 6-2-08
Lance Cpl. Michael C. Bailey, 29, of Park Hills, Mo 6-16-08
Pfc. Michael Robert Patton, 19, of Fenton, Mo.6-17-08
Cpl. Donald M. Marler, 22, of St. Louis, Mo. 6-7-10
Pfc. Jason D. Fingar, 24, of Columbia, Mo. 5-24-10
Spc. Denis D. Kisseloff, 45, of Saint Charles, Mo. 5-15-10
Sgt. Michael J. Beckerman, 25, of Ste. Genevieve, Mo. 1-2-11
Cpl. Jacob R. Carver, 20, of Freeman, Mo 11-16-2010
Sgt. 1st Class Charles M. Sadell, 34, of Columbia, Mo. 10-25-10
Pfc. Dylan T. Reid, 24, of Springfield, Mo 10-18-10
Lance Cpl. Phillip D. Vinnedge, 19, of Saint Charl 10-14-10
Sgt. Edward F. Dixon III, 37, of Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo.6-20-11
Spc. Bradley L. Melton, 29, Rolla, Mo.; 5-18-11
Spc. Joseph B. Cemper, 21, Warrensburg, Mo. 4-19-11
Spc. Christopher G. Stark, 22, of Monett, Mo.4-2-11
Sgt. 1st Class Robert W. Pharris, 48, of Seymour, Mo. 1-8-11
First Sgt. Billy J. Siercks, 32, of Velda Village, Mo. 10-2-11
Special Warfare Operator Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Matthew D. Mason, 37, of Kansas City, Mo., 8-6-11
Senior Chief Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Sean P. Sullivan, 40, of St. Louis, Mo. 7-21-12
Spc. Sterling W. Wyatt, 21, of Columbia, Mo. 7-12-12
Pfc. Richard L. McNulty III, 22, Rolla, Mo.5-15-12
Sgt. Joseph M. Peters, 24, of Springfield, Mo 10-8-13
Capt. Kevin T. Roche, 30, St. Louis 1-18-16
Pfc. Matthew H. Walker, 20, of Hillsboro, Missouri 6-6-14
Pfc. Matthew J. England, 22, of Gainesville, Mo. 6-8-11
Sgt. Brandon E. Maggart, 24, of Kirksville, Mo 8-24-10
Pvt. Lucas M. Bregg, 19, of Wright City, Mo. 7-9-09Sgt.
Paul F. Brooks, 34, of Joplin, Mo. 5-24-09
Spc. Jacob D. Barton, 20, of Lenox, Mo.5-13-09
Sgt. 1st Class Daniel R. Sexton, 53, of Wentzville, Mo 9-15-08
Spc. Steven J. Fitzmorris, 26, of Columbia, Mo.9-1-08
Spc. Kevin R. Dickson, 21, of Steelville, Mo. 8-2-08
Sgt. Nicolas M. Hodson, 22, of Smithville, Mo. 3-23-03
Pfc. Jeremiah D. Smith, 25, of Odessa, Mo 5-28-03
Pfc. Jesse A. Givens, 34, of Springfield, Mo 5-2-03
Spc. Jonathan P. Barnes, 21, Anderson, Mo. 7-28-03
Spc. Joel L. Bertoldie, 20, Independence, Mo 7-19-03
Spc. Joshua M. Neusche, 20, of Montreal, Mo 7-15-03
Sgt. Travis L. Burkhardt, 26, of Edina, Mo 6-10-03
Tech. Sgt. William J. Kerwood, 37, of Houston, Mo 11-23-03
Spc. Kenneth A. Melton, 30, of Westplains, Mo., 4-28-04
Pfc. Jeremiah D. Smith, 25, of Odessa, Mo 5-28-03
Pfc. Jesse A. Givens, 34, of Springfield, Mo 5-2-03 11-10-03
Staff Sgt. Jamie L. Huggins, 26, of Hume, Mo 10-28-03
Sgt. 1st Class Richard S. Gottfried, 42, of Lake Ozark, Mo.3-10-04
Spc. Michael C. Campbell, 34, of Marshfield, Mo 5-21-04
Staff Sgt. Trevor Spink, 36, of Farmington, Mo. 7-13-04
Cpl. Dallas L. Kerns, 21, of Mountain Grove, Mo 7-7-04
Capt. Christopher B. Johnson, 29, of Excelsior Springs, Mo. 10-18-04
Cpl. Jacob R. Fleischer, 25, of St. Louis, Mo. 11-26=04
Spc. Justin B. Carter, 21, of Mansfield, Mo 2-18-05
Spc. Richard M. Crane, 25, of Independence, Mo. 2-9-05
Sgt. Lindsey T. James, 23, of Urbana, Mo .2-1-05
Staff Sgt. Charles R. Sanders Jr., 29, of Charleston, Mo. 4-22-05
1st Lt. William A. Edens, 29, of Columbia, Mo. 5-2-95
Sgt. Charles T. Wilkerson, 30, of Kansas City, Mo 5-25-05
Lance Cpl. Erik R. Heldt, 26, of Hermann, Mo. 6-18-05
Spc. Edward L. Myers, 21, of St. Joseph, Mo 7-29-05
Pvt. Lavena L. Johnson, 19, of Florissant, Mo 7-20-05
Sgt. Timothy J. Sutton, 22, of Springfield, Mo 7-13-05
Sgt. Timothy J. Sutton, 22, of Springfield, Mo 7-6-05
Sgt. 1st Class Obediah J. Kolath, 32, of Louisburg, Mo. 8-30-05
Master Sgt. Thomas A. Wallsmith, 38, of Carthage, Mo. 10-28-05
Spc. Joshua J. Munger, 22, of Maysville, Mo. 11-4-05
Spc. Dustin L. Kendall, 21, of Conway, Mo 1-7-06
Capt. Michael R. Martinez, 43, of Missouri. 1-10-06
Maj. William F. Hecker, III, 37, of St. Louis, Mo. 1-6-06
Sgt. Amanda N. Pinson, 21, of St. Louis, Mo. 3-20-06
Lance Cpl. Darin T. Settle, 23, of Henley, Mo 4-17-06
Pfc. James F. Costello III, 27, of St. Louis, Mo 4-13-06
Sgt. 1st Class Randall L. Lamberson, 36, of Springfield, Mo. 4-11-06
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael L. Hartwick, of Orrick, Mo 4-5-06
Lance Cpl. Leon B. Deraps, 19, of Jamestown, Mo 5-9-06
Pvt. Alva L. Gaylord, 25, of Carrollton, Mo 5-8-06
Pfc. Rex A. Page, 21, of Kirksville, Mo 6-30-06
Cpl. Riley E. Baker, 22, of Pacific, Mo 6-23-06
Spc. Russell M. Makowski, 23, of Union, Mo.9-19-06
Pfc. Jeremy R. Shank, 18, of Jackson, Mo 9-7-09
Staff Sgt. Michael L. Deason, 28, of Farmington, Mo. 9-5-06
1st Lt. Amos C. R. Bock, 24, of New Madrid, Mo. 19-26-06
Sgt. Lawrence L. Parrish, 36, of Lebanon, Mo. 10-11-06
2nd Lt. Mark C. Gelina, 33, of Moberly, Mo. 11-7-06
Lance Cpl. Matthew W. Clark, 22, of St. Louis, Mo 12-19-06
Maj. Gloria D. Davis, 47, of St. Louis, Mo 12-14-06
Lance Cpl. Matthew P. Pathenos, 21, of Ballwin, Mo 2-12-07
Sgt. Milton A. Gist Jr., 27, of St Louis. 2-5-07
Spc. Shawn P. Rankinen, 28, of Independence, Mo 3-9-07
Sgt. Brandon L. Wallace, 27, of St. Louis, Mo. 4-17-07
Staff Sgt. Russell K. Shoemaker, 31, of Sweet Springs, Mo. 5-28-07
Spc. Benjamin J. Ashley, 22, of Independence, Mo. 5-25-07
Staff Sgt. Shannon V. Weaver, 28, Urich, Mo. 5-24-07
Cpl. James E. Summers, III, 21, of Bourbon, Mo. 6-1-07
Spc. Robert D. Varga, 24, of Monroe City, Mo. 7-16—07
Spc. Rickey L. Bell, 21, of Caruthersville, Mo. 8-23-07
Spc. Jessy G. Pollard, 22, of Springfield, Mo. 8-23-07
Sgt. Joel L. Murray, 26, of Kansas City. 9-7-07
Spc. Matthew F. Straughter, 27, of St. Charles, Mo. 2-8-08
Spc. Todd E. Davis, 22, of Raymore, Mo 1-11-08
Sgt. Austin D. Pratt, 22, of Cadet, Mo. 12-17-07
Master Sgt. Thomas A. Crowell, 36, of Neosho, Mo 11-2-97
Pfc. Andrew J. Habsieger, 22, of Festus, Mo 3-26-08
Lance Cpl. Drew W. Weaver, 20, of St. Charles, Mo. 2-25-08
Staff Sgt. Jerald A. Whisenhunt, 32, of Orrick, Mo 2-17-08
Staff Sgt. Ronald C. Blystone, 34, of Springfield, Mo. 4-25-08
Sgt. Adam J. Kohlhaas, 26, of Perryville, Mo. 4-23-08
Sgt. 1st Class Daniel R. Sexton, 53, of Wentzville, Mo. 9-15-08
Sgt. 1st Class Daniel R. Sexton, 53, of Wentzville, Mo. 9-1-08
Spc. Kevin R. Dickson, 21, of Steelville, Mo. 8-4-08
Sgt. Edward W. Forrest Jr., 25, of St. Louis, Mo 4-12-09
Chief Warrant Officer Matthew G. Kelley, 30, of Cameron, Mo 1-29-09
Pfc. Matthew J. England, 22, of Gainesville, Mo. 6-9-11
Sgt. Brandon E. Maggart, 24, of Kirksville, Mo 8-24-10
Pvt. Lucas M. Bregg, 19, of Wright City, Mo. 7-9-09
Sgt. Paul F. Brooks, 34, of Joplin, Mo. 5-24-09
Spc. Jacob D. Barton, 20, of Lenox, Mo. 5-13-09
Senior Chief Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Sean P. Sullivan, 40, of St. Louis, Mo. 7-21-12
Spc. Sterling W. Wyatt, 21, of Columbia, Mo. 7-12-12
Pfc. Richard L. McNulty III, 22, Rolla, Mo. 5-15-12
Spc. Jeffrey L. White, Jr., 21, of Catawissa, Mo. 4-6-12
Capt. Kevin T. Roche, 30, St. Louis 1-18-16
Pfc. Matthew H. Walker, 20, of Hillsboro, Missouri 6-6-14
The Tampa Bay Times, March 5, 1991 published a list of casualties of the Persian Gulf War. The list included:
Army Spec. Steven P. Farnen, 22, Columbia, Mo. 2-25-91 (Find A Grave lists his birthplace as Marceline. An internet memorial article says he was killed when a missile struck his barracks.)
Army Spec. Phillip D. Mobley, 26, Blue Springs, Mo 2-27-91 (An internet article says he stepped on a land mine in Iraq.)
Navy Lt. William T. Costen, 27, St. Louis. 1-18-91 (Pilot of an A6 Intruder shot down over Iraq. Some reports say that he and his copilot were attacked by a large crowd of Iranians and were stabbed to death. The Iraquis handed over the bodies of 14 Americans on March 12, 1991. One was believed to be his).
The first war after statehood was the Mexican War that added most of the southwestern parts of the country.
There is room for at least twenty of these obelisks.
(photo credits: monument— The Stylus; obelisks—KRCG-TV; obelisks—Jefferson City CVB)