They Just Didn't Get the Word

I enjoyed reading "America's All-Girl Navy" section.  It resonates with what America stands for.  Diversity.  The Navy crew on the Chosin were all races and religions but they were drawn together for a common cause.  It was a shock to me that the Iraqi soldiers thought all Americans were white.  I never really thought about that before.  The Iraqi soldiers later told Friedman, "it's amazing how you guys can be so many religions, ethnic groups, and still make this thing work and be the best in the world.  And here we are fighting north and south, and we are all cousins and brothers" (303).  They don't understand how "different" people can live together or work together.  While I agree with Friedman that we often take this freedom and might for granted, it does make us "different."