The news headline that has appeared frequently for decades is back:“Tension Rises in the Middle East”.
And it certainly has now…following the Iranian led protest and attempted break-in at the U.S. Embassy in Iraq this week and now the rocket attack by the U.S at the Baghdad airport that literally blew apart the top commander for Iran’s military forces.
And there is no city in the U.S. where more people are more interested in the latest developments than in San Diego.
We have the most military bases than anywhere else in the country, from the Naval bases at 32nd street and on Coronado, to the MCRD, the MCAS Miramar and the sprawling Camp Pendleton, tens of thousands of Marines and sailors, train every day and are ready to be deployed at any moment.
It happened this week when within hours of the attack on the U.S Embassy in Iraq, Marines with the Camp Pendleton based First Marine Expeditionary Force were already on their way to Baghdad.
And there are already some San Diego based Navy war ships in and around the Middle East.
Over the years, especially since 9-11, thousands of Marines and sailors from San Diego have answered the call, with some making the ultimate sacrifice. Others coming home changed physically and mentally.
And at this time of increased tensions in the Middle East, we need to keep all those who serve and defend us, and their families, in our thoughts and prayers.
READ MORE about latest developments.
(Photo credit Getty Images)