I just listened to the President speak on the progress in Iraq. Yes, I said progress in Iraq. It seems that the troop surge worked and by July, the surge will come to an end and the Military will be back to the "Pre-surge level" of about 140,000. You would think that would be good news wouldn't you? He also announced that the tours are being reduced from 15 months down to 12 months with at least a year at home before redeployment, more good news.

Those words seemed to be lost on certain Congressional leaders. The same leaders that have already declared the war "Lost" and "A failure" before the surge was even in place. The same leaders that refuse to fund our troops without timelines but still say they "Support our troops".

Rather than acknowledge Gen. Petraeus for the hard-won gains that he, the U.S. and Iraqi military have achieved, they remain invested in an outdated narrative of retreat and defeat. But it also seems that now they have undeniable proofs of success in Iraq, so they must change tactics.

The new tactic is to blame our financial woes on the war. They can blame the President for higher fuel prices, higher taxes, high unemployment and the recession. They can blame the President for spending billions of dollars on our troops and not enough here at home. They can blame the Iraqi government for not picking up the tab for our forces and rebuilding Iraq. So now our Leaders in Congress have decided that "It cost too much".

Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the cost of the war "Is Huge" and that this is a "Failed War". I have to ask the Speaker just what price she is willing to pay for her freedom. She also said that she was joined at her press conference by a "Few" proud warriors of the Iraq and Afghan war". What about the "Many" proud warriors of that same conflict that don't agree with her view that Iraq is a "Failed War"?
I will tell you the cost that many in this country are willing to pay now for our freedoms for the future, Yes Mrs. Pelosi, even your future. Let me tell you about one such person, my son, LCPL Justin M. Ellsworth of the United States Marine Corp.

Justin was killed in action on 13 NOV 2004 in the battle for Fallujah, Iraq. He was a 20 year old Combat Engineer and he loved doing what he was doing. The very last conversation my son and I had was regarding the Iraqi people and successes that were occurring over there. Justin said "Dad, these people need us here, they want us here and we are making a difference in the lives of the Iraqi People.

Since his death, I have spoken to many returning Iraq war veterans and each of them continue to echo my son's words. I am very proud of the many success stories I have heard from those who have served and continue to serve on the ground in Iraq.

Yesterday, I met with H.E. Samir Sumaida'ie, Iraq's Ambassador to the United States at Arlington National Cemetery where he laid a wreath to honor our Fallen Heroes. He spoke about the cost of war in the Wall Street Journal today: "Having intervened and committed itself so deeply, the U.S. is debating the level and cost of its engagement. I submit that it cannot afford to lose this fight to its enemies. The destinies of the U.S. and Iraq have become intertwined and their national interests very closely linked." He continues: "The salvation of Iraqis and the interests of the U.S. coincide. They lie in the defeat of the terrorists and extremists, and the frustration of the ambitions of all those who want this joint American-Iraqi endeavor to fail. This endeavor is costly, in every sense. But failure would be immeasurably costlier."

I just wish that those in our Nations Capitol would quit playing politics with our Military men and women, after all 77 of the 100 of you put them there, the least you can do is give them the money to win. Because in the end, this is not about being a Republican or a Democrat, it's about being an American.

John Ellsworth, proud father of LCPL Justin M. Ellsworth