What will the 'victory parade' celebrate?

Thoughts of a US soldier in Iraq

Does the US flag still have its meaning or has it become just another symbol to be used for gain, political or otherwise?

When will it be enough? Over 2000 have died here in Iraq. What will they pay the war contractors with when the money is gone? Will they pay them with THEIR own sons and daughters?

I think not, for the day the money runs out we shall declare VICTORY, withdraw our troops and start the victory parades back home. The amputees won't be marching in the parade, the dead won't be smiling and waving, and it (victory or parades) won't give the children back their mothers and fathers.

What will that victory be? It will be a victory forged on the anvil of bankruptcy and only the deaf will hear it. After that the cameras will stop rolling and we won't show Iraq any more....

• A soldier's thoughts