Paying the Ultimate Price

Sometimes it's easy to sit in an anchor chair and talk about a war. It's a lot more difficult being in that war, fighting in that war and for some, dying in that war.

But there are many who protested this war. That was their right then. But I think it's wrong now. Yet it continues. And given the transition difficulties in Iraq, it is even picking up steam now.

I think it borders on insulting now. Not only because the war clearly was a success. But because of the Americans who lost their lives to make it a success.

I want those who still burn flags and hurl insults to change venues. Away from very public places like the White House or New York's Times Square and to the front lawns of the homes of families who've lost loved ones.

If you're so convinced fighting for the freedom of an oppressed people wasn't worth their sons and daughters dying, then tell them directly.

Tell the young wife, who's now a widow. Or the proud Indiana mom and dad, who are now childless. Or the 21-year-old woman just giving birth, who's now a mother and a father.

Tell the four-year-old boy who doesn't understand his dad won't ever be coming back home to play. Or the sister who will never see her only brother.

Tell them their loved one's mission was a lark. Tell them the smiles you saw on those cheering faces in Baghdad didn't provide some comfort in this carnage. Tell them improving the plight of millions of starving Iraqis wasn't worth their loved ones' lives.

Go ahead. Lecture them. Rant at them. Save your speeches not for the politicians who make war, but the real people, who paid the price for this war.

When you call this war a waste, you call their loved ones' ultimate sacrifice a waste as well. You demean them and you demean those who survive them.

I see a country liberated now. I'll never forget the liberators.

I see a people smiling now. I'll never forget the people who made them smile.

We should all die making such a difference. All you protesters, should live, making such a difference.

I want you now to look at the faces of sacrifice and honor and courage. And of people who spent their time, not burning the flag, but fighting and dying for it.

So the next time you refuse to bury the hatchet and insist you weren't wrong, think of those who are burying their loved ones and need to know their cause was right.

They made a difference. You just make me sick.

Watch Neil Cavuto's Common Sense weekdays at 4 p.m. ET on Your World with Cavuto.