One of these days, the BIG story out of Iraq will be that the media missed the big story. This is a recurrent theme I have heard during my two trips to that country this past year.

Indeed, the recent prison story was available to any interested reporter at several points since the first of the year.

In the first weeks of January, Army Specialist Joseph M. Darby provided photos of the mistreatment of prisoners. On January 16, 2004, Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, Deputy Director for Coalition Operations, reported, to all major media outlets, the prison abuses. This press conference was covered, but no “big” story was unveiled.

By mid-January, Brigadier General Ricardo S. Sanchez began intense investigation into the reported abuses. On Saturday, March 20, 2004, during a Department of Defense Briefing, with media outlets present, General Mark Kimmitt announced the specific list of offenses, “As a result of the criminal investigation, six military personnel have been charged with criminal offenses to include conspiracy, dereliction of duty, cruelty and maltreatment, assault, and indecent acts with another.” It is clear that the media was not seeing the story then, yet it is not ironic that the real complaint appears to be that the politicians did not get involved until last week.

Both the media and the politicians have been aware of this story since early January. Although details may not disseminate as quickly as we might prefer, our legal system and our Department of Defense are thoroughly and accurately investigating these abuses. Justice will be served to offenders. The American public and indeed citizens in other countries should not be led to think that America will stand for these abuses. Do not be derailed thinking that America will stand for the behavior of these few individuals.

Let us not forget the main point. We are in a war with people who want to kill us. The abuses, which are not justified, and the punishers, who will be reprimanded, do not represent the whole picture of Iraq.

There are 2.2 million men and women in the United States Armed Services. Over 300,000 soldiers have rotated through Iraq. Some 135,000 soldiers are excelling at their job to bring freedom to Iraq and a victory in the War on Terror. Of those brave fighting soldiers, 16,000 have received Bronze Stars and 3,000 Purple Hearts. We cannot continue to be obsessed with literally a handful of corrupted troops. We owe our support and freedom to all of the troops that are fighting for us.

I have personally reviewed the pictures and videotapes made available to us as Members of the U.S. Congress. The pictures are difficult to look at. Now the discussion surrounds releasing the remainder of the pictures – to put them all in the public domain. This might extend some risk to those aligned with the coalition who are held by insurgents and criminals. Because there is nothing more in them than already seen, I favor limiting any further exposure – to prevent further loss of life.

The investigations will continue – those responsible will be tried, and if found guilty, they will be punished. Commanding superior officers will not be spared or treated differently. This is the way a system based on the rule of law works.

I have met General Sanchez while on missions to Iraq. He has been there for over a year, and I can say without reservation, the he has the best interest and safety of his troops foremost on his mind. And although the pictures are indeed hard to look at, they are insignificant compared to the photograph of the coffins of fallen servicemen. They are inconsequential compared to what I have seen at Walter Reed Hospital.

So as we approach this Memorial Day, let us not forget the real heroes fighting for us today in the War on Terror. We must never confuse who the true villains are – those who want to see the defeat of United States of American and all for which she stands. Remember that thousands of brave soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.