War is never abstract when you know the people who serve.
“Being a military kid is a blessing. It’s a large part of who I am today.”
My husband said that to me during a long conversation about his childhood. Both of his parents served in the Army, and his older sister later joined the Navy. He grew up overseas, seeing much of Europe before he was ten years old. That kind of childhood comes with pride, service, and a deep love of country.
It also comes with long separations and uncertainty. During the Gulf War, both of his parents deployed. Later, his father deployed multiple times during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Military families understand something many people don’t: when our country goes to war, it isn’t just strategy or headlines. It’s parents leaving their children. It’s spouses waiting for the phone to ring. It’s families holding their breath.
I can empathize with that loss. I lost my father suddenly to a plane crash; he was 57 years old. I lost my brother suddenly to an brain aneurysm; he was only 37. Losing someone you love without warning changes the way you see the world. It reminds you how fragile life is and how every loss sends shockwaves through the people left behind.
That is why decisions about war must be made with the greatest seriousness and accountability.
The Constitution is clear. Article I, Section 8 gives Congress, not the President, the power to declare war. After the Vietnam War, Congress reinforced that responsibility through the War Powers Resolution of 1973 (50 U.S.C. §§ 1541–1548), requiring congressional authorization when U.S. forces are introduced into hostilities.
Those laws exist because war should never be entered into casually, and never without the consent of the American people through their representatives. When our nation uses military force without clear justification or without Congress fulfilling its constitutional role, we risk losing something deeper than political arguments, we risk losing the moral clarity that has always made America strongest.
America must strive to be a defender of peace and stability, not an aggressor driven by politics, fear, or rushed decisions.
Because behind every uniform is a person.
Behind every casualty is a family.
Behind every headline are parents who will never see their children again.
These deaths are not numbers. They are people.
God forbid it be someone you know.
If our country asks men and women to risk their lives, we owe them more than rhetoric. We owe them honesty, lawful decisions, and a government that treats the choice of war with the gravity it deserves. Anything less dishonors the sacrifice of those who serve, and the families who carry that sacrifice with them for the rest of their lives.
In late February 2026, a missile strike hit a primary school in Minab, Iran, killing over 168 people, at least 100 being children from 7-12 years old. We must protect our military by sparing them from an illegal and deadly war that plans to claim their lives. We must remember that like you and me, the civilians of Iran hope only to live their lives. Please take the time to listen to someone who speaks from experience, and speaks from the heart:
Josephine Guilbeau is a former U.S. Army All-Source Intel Analyst.
Her mobilizations include Operation Enduring Freedom, where she supported cyberspace operations for U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) and the Cyber National Mission Force, earning an Army Commendation Medal for her vital role in mission success. Since her resignation from the military in 2023, Josephine has been advocating for peace in the Middle East, upholding the highest standards of professionalism and leadership. Her dedication to both her military duties and her community reflects her strong sense of duty and commitment to making a positive impact wherever she serves. Guilbeau earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity Management and Policy.
Her awards and decorations include two Army Commendation Medals and three Army Achievement Medals, recognizing her outstanding service and valor in the face of adversity.
