Final Post

Due to the end of the semester, this will be my final entry.

I have posted alot of comments and views on the War in Iraq, though you may not agree with my views, I have enjoyed your comments.

I would like to remember all of the fallen soldiers who have fought for us and our country and just say, thank you.

Soldiers' Angels

Soldiers' Angels is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization to thousands of American Service Members stationed wherever we raise our Country's Flag and the number is growing daily. Soldiers' Angels are dedicated in supporting our military during and after their deployment.
It was started by an ordinary mother in 2003 who had a son serving our country in Iraq.

"Our mission is to provide aid and comfort to the military and its families, provide immediate response to hard situations, and make sure no soldier feels unloved.We start with letters, care pacakges, and comfort items to our deployed. We also help their families here at home as requested."

http://soldiersangels.org/

I believe this is a wonderful organization and it is comforting for the soldiers.
-There is an "adopt a soldier," which is a committment to sending a card or letter a week and AT LEAST 1 or 2 care packages a month. This is important to help bring home a healthy hero. The duration of adoption is usually 6 to 8 months.

Help comfort out troops for a healthy return home!

Failing the Troops

Center for American Progress Senior Fellow Larry Korb discussed in front of a panel that included retired generals and academics, his view on the current and future state of the military.

“Not since the aftermath of the Vietnam War has the U.S. Army been so depleted,”

“The simple fact is that the United States currently does not have enough troops who are ready and available for potential contingency missions in Iran, North Korea, or anywhere else.”

General Barry R. McCaffrey stated:

“I’m offended when I hear the Army is in trouble. It’s not the Army. It’s the American people."

“We wrecked the Army coming out of Vietnam; it took 10 years to recover. We are not going to get 10 years with this war.”

“If you had a draft right now, you would no longer be in Iraq. The American people would say no,” Korb warned. “If the people are not willing to send their sons and daughters, we have to think very carefully about what we’re doing.”

I believe Korb brought up a good point, if there was a draft today...how many people would support it? There is definatly somthing wrong when the American people do not believe in what we are still fighting for and are not willing to support or follow through with a draft.

Don't get me wrong, I support our country and our troops...but is this more a political war? Too many people have given up their lives due to this war and we still are uncertain if this outcome will ever become positive. Like McCaffrey stated, we are never going to get 10 years out of this war.

Soldiers Speak

I have seen alot of comments on my last post and how it was leaned to one point of view of the family, so I want to post some of the viewpoints of the soldiers.
Mind you, I am aware that these soldiers signed up for the war, but now they are really uncertain of what they are still fighting for...

Here are some of their comments...

"We move up to Scandia, a way-station on the way to Baghdad, We have a tent but that's about it. Since we never have anything to do we become tourists befriending Iraqis and seeing the local sights. Rumors of going home fly fast, each day were "supposed" to go home comes and goes with no news."

"We find out why it's taking so long, the Army didn't know we were out here we weren't in the computers, they forgot about us.
To say we're pissed off now is the understatement of the year."

"I honestly think the president lied to all of us. After seeing first hand what was in most parts of Iraq, my whole company could not fathom a threat of any means. I love America, and will defend her when called upon, but in this case there was not a real threat."

"Actually, Iraq is more dangerous now to its people than it was when Bush gave us the call. I don’t speak for everyone I am sure, because some guys join the service just to fire weapons. But almost every soldier we talked to while in Iraq wanted to be home, and thought that Bush made a grave mistake. A town called Tikrit in Iraq is a hotbed of anti-American action."

"President Bush said on TV today that Americans are welcomed??? He must be on another planet. A few small towns south of Baghdad may be somewhat safe to sleep in the truck, but most of that country is more anti-American than what Bush is telling everyone."

"I think in my own opinion that we invaded a country that was super-poor and might not have even had a decent slingshot. This in my opinion was a political war, and I am glad to be back in Texas. I have a feeling Bush will be back soon also."

I'm sure some soldiers support the war and want to fight for our country, but many don't even know what we are fighting for anymore. For soldiers to be uncertain why they are still over there is a problem.


http://asoldiersview.com/Calendar.htm
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/feb2004/sold-f10.shtml