War has begun. The threat we have been discussing and debating for months now is a reality, and it is now time for our nation to join as one.

Operation Iraqi Freedom was under way Thursday evening &045; dawn in Bagdhad &045; not long after time ran out for Saddam Hussein.

We have the right to have questions about our decision to go to war; we have the right to raise concerns over how many lives will be lost, how much burden the U.S. will carry in rebuilding Iraq.

Those questions will be answered in time, but now it is time to work as one nation.

Saddam Hussein has had 12 years to abandon his weapons programs.

He has, most recently, had months to own up to what U.S. intelligence says he says he has.

The U.S. intelligence that has been released to the public is most likely only the tip of the iceberg.

We may never know the danger that Iraq posed to its neighbors and to the rest of the world.

Our hope is that this war is quick and decisive, and that when it is over the United Nations comes together again to help in the humanitarian effort and in the rebuilding process.

The name of the operation &045; Iraqi Freedom &045; shows what our hope for the future is, a democratic government for a country long ruled by a tyrant.

Our men and women overseas, and those protecting our homeland now, deserve our support and our prayers. We are ever grateful for their service to our country and to the cause of freedom.

God bless America.