This past week, Americans received two stark reminders that our nation is at war. One reminder was an echo from the past. The second was a glimpse into what might have been, but, thankfully, will not be.

The echo from the past came from a surprising direction: an increasingly liberal and anti-war Hollywood. Perhaps most astonishingly, it came from the normally conspiracy-minded Oliver Stone. His movie, World Trade Center, opened at theaters this week. World Trade Center is gripping. Do not enter the theater without a box—yes, a whole box—of Kleenex. You will need it.

In many ways, Stone’s movie shouldn’t be as riveting as it is. The plot line revolves around two cops who (through no fault of their own) do little to contribute to the rescue effort on the morning of 9/11. They arrive at the World Trade Center as the towers, unbeknownst to them, are about to fall. They head into the buildings, intending to help victims of the attack who might be trapped on the upper floors. Unfortunately, the cops become victims themselves. The first tower falls on them before they have gotten even as far as the stairs.

The cops in Stone’s movie are just normal people caught in bigger-than-life events. For most of the movie, they don’t even realize that the towers have fallen. Instead, they are moving forward one step at a time, simply trying to survive their own small scene in the day’s overwhelming tragedies. Keeping them alive is the hope that, at the end of the day, they will see their families once again.

Perhaps that is why the movie tears at the heart. In the end, isn’t that all that any of us are trying to do?

How ironic that such a movie would open one day before British authorities uncovered a scheme for a second 9-11. If this second terror plot had played out as originally planned, as many as ten planes would have blown up over U.S. cities. The death toll in the war on terrorism would have multiplied exponentially in the course of a few short hours.

And that is precisely what this is. A war. If we forget it, the terrorists will not hesitate to take advantage of our short memories.

America’s limited patience with the brutality of war has already served to benefit our enemies. Naturally, everyone hates that U.S. soldiers must be in harm’s way. No one wants to hear news of roadside bombings, kidnappings, and beheadings. We all cringe when the unintended casualties of war turn out to be civilians. But if we let our sadness about these ugly and unfortunate aspects of war dominate us, then the terrorists can and will take advantage of our lack of commitment.

Think about it. Terrorists watch our news stations, just as we do. They know that American support for the war declines as military casualties increase. Why would they not seek to kill as many of our brave troops as they possibly can, knowing that each death undermines our motivation just a little bit more?

The very best way to save the lives of our troops is to support the war and its leaders with as much patriotism and enthusiasm as we can.

The time for debating the wisdom of the war is past. Agree or disagree, but the decision has been made. Now, our only option is to win. If we quit, then the terrorists will learn many lessons about the limits of our endurance. And they will certainly take advantage of our lack of resolve. This week’s events are just one more reminder of the importance of fighting this war—on all its fronts—with every ounce of energy that we possess.

Among the most memorable moments in World Trade Center came when a U.S. Marine located the two cops buried under the rubble. Peering down through the piles of metal and debris, he sought to encourage the survivors. "We are Marines," he reassured them, "We’re not leaving you. You are our mission."

Each and every American today should each show the same steely determination toward the various aspects of this war. We were not the first to declare war. To the contrary, we would have preferred peace. But now that the fighting has begun, we can’t leave the field of battle.

Victory is our mission.

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