The news that seven American contractors with Kellogg Brown & Root are missing following an attack on a convoy in Iraq brings to mind what Senator Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate, said about Kellogg Brown & Root’s parent company, Halliburton.”Halliburton is guilty of shameful war-profiteering, and they need to be held accountable. It’s dead wrong that Halliburton is bilking American taxpayers,” Mr. Kerry said.

With seven Halliburton employees missing in Iraq, including one, Thomas Hamill, who was apparently held hostage by Iraqi thugs, it’s worth remembering that these employees have families, too, and that the contractors are an important part of the war effort. They deserve thanks from all Americans, rather than vilification.

A statement yesterday from Halliburton said, “KBR employees and subcontractors have all made courageous decisions to work in Iraq. Daily, they risk their personal security to serve the troops and deliver much-needed services to the Iraqi people.”

We pray for the safe return of the seven contractors. If they do return safely, perhaps they could recount their travails to Mr. Kerry and help bring him up to speed about what Halliburton and its employees are doing in Iraq.