Oak Harbor was refreshingly different Saturday as hundreds of citizens marched to proudly show their support of the U.S. military.

On a day when millions around the world marched with a different message, the Oak Harbor demonstration was needed. It even made the local TV news, although it apparently was lost in the sea of anti-war marches on the national and international level.

The 500-or-so Oak Harbor marchers were not necessarily pro-war. After all, who is? The U.S. military’s main mission is to preserve the peace. War results when efforts at peace fail, and its aim is to restore peace. Today the Balkans are relatively peaceful. If the U.S. had not intervened militarily, what would the situation be? Possibly a regionwide war, involving Serbia, Albania, Bosnia, Macedonia, maybe even Greece, Turkey and beyond. By taking military action, peace was ultimately served.

Saturday’s peace marchers sent a supportive message to Iraq, which is unfortunate. They weren’t alone in the poor message department. Images of the Pope shaking hands with Iraqi foreign minister were upsetting to many. The Butcher of Baghdad was quite cheered by the weekend’s events, and now he thinks he has the U.S. on the run diplomatically. And it looks like he may be correct.

What is the dedicated U.S. sailor or soldier to think of all this? Well, it helps to know that you’re supported in Oak Harbor and by millions who did not take to the streets Saturday. And remember that you are the ultimate peace marchers. As peace efforts fail in the Middle East, as they likely will, the U.S. military will at some point have to step in and clean up the mess. That’s the way it always happens. Eventually, the world may appreciate your efforts at making peace.