FOR MANY, MANY YEARS NOW a steady stream of Rome-area National Guard and Reserve units have been going off to extended and dangerous duty in Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan. Now the comparatively new, Rome-based 1160th Transportation Company of 174 members is scheduled to go to Afghanistan in 2014. This time, at least, it is for the purpose of helping to get the United States extricated from the fighting part of this endless mess.

The 1160th is basically made up of truckers that haul pallets of supplies and materials ... both in and now out as the U.S. prepares to disengage during 2014 from its combat role. Members of the unit come from all over this region, of course, as have those who went with Rome-headquartered units before them.

Plan to keep the 1160th in your thoughts and prayers. Afghanistan remains quite as dangerous now as it did when all those other citizen-soldiers from our area hometowns went there to protect us all and keep our way of life safe.

Footnote: Today is Dec. 7, a “day that will live in infamy” but not necessarily in the memories of enough Americans as those who lived through Dec. 7, 1941, and its aftermath dwindle in numbers. This was the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and plunged the U.S. into World War II. It was bigger, deadlier, more traumatic than 9/11.