Afghanistan Quote by Colin Powell
“We have gone forth from our shores repeatedly over the last hundred years and we've done this as recently as the last year in Afghanistan and put wonderful young men and women at risk, many of whom have lost their lives, and we have asked for nothing except enough ground to bury them in.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: NATO Summit, 2021
Leaders send troops abroad, risking lives, yet often receive only basic support for the fallen.
In simple terms: War sends people to danger, with minimal acknowledgment.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the cost of conflict.
Themes
military
sacrifice
politics
Mood
somber
critical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- deployment decisions
- memorial services
- policy debates
- family coping
Key Concepts
ethics
warfare
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do leaders have to families of fallen soldiers?
- How can societies better honor sacrifices?
A Different Perspective
Political motives can obscure individual tragedies.
![“Thousands of Americans have given their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq upholding their oaths and defending this nation. Chelsea Manning broke her oath and made it more likely that others would join the ranks of her fallen comrades. Her prison sentence may end in a few months' [time], but her…” quote by John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/788/john-mccain-465_afghanistan_thousands-of-americans-have-given-their_26162.jpg)