Last month, seven active duty soldiers serving in Iraq penned an op-ed in the NY Times that was the subject of much derision. Rather than be commended for giving their honest assessment of the surge knowing the threat of reprimand hung over the heads like the sword of Damocles, they were mocked as not fully understanding the situation. That anyone would question their credibility seemed to me to be the worst insult to their service.

And despite their concerns, they remained “committed soldiers” who would “see this mission through.”

Two of the authors have now seen it through and made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Op-Ed by seven active duty U.S. soldiers in Iraq questioning the war drew international attention just three weeks ago. Now two of the seven are dead.

Sgt. Omar Mora and Sgt. Yance Gray died Monday in a vehicle accident in western Baghdad, two of seven U.S. troops killed in the incident which was reported just as Gen. David Petraeus was about to report to Congress on progress in the “surge.”

In a case of grim serendipity, the assertions made in that op-ed were mentioned repeatedly during yesterday’s Senate hearing. And perhaps their deaths will not have been in vain if it means that their courage in speaking up helped change the debate on the war.

Meme has more reactions.

(X-posted at The Xsociate Files)