Guardsman who died doubted Iraq war effort

[leftchick]

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/mesa/articles/0929m-allen29Z11.html

Sgt. Howard Paul Allen of Mesa fought in Iraq in a situation that frustrated him and at times depressed him.

Allen wrote Aug. 25: "You feel that bomb go off in your dreams, but it's not your buddy this time but you."

The 31-year-old Arizona Army National Guardsman and graduate of Paradise Valley High School was killed Monday in Baghdad when a bomb exploded near his vehicle.

<snip>

He wrote a Web log last Saturday, "Long lost friends," in which he said the only reason for America's involvement in Iraq is that President Bush wanted to better his father.



This undated photo provided by the Arizona National Guard shows Sgt. Howard Paul Allen with his children, from left to right, Edwin, Caitlin and Devlin. Allen, who served in an Arizona Army National Guard military police unit, was killed Monday, Sept. 26, 2005, in Baghdad when a roadside bomb exploded near his military vehicle. He was assigned to the 860th Military Police Company, which was deployed to Iraq on March 5. (AP Photo/Arizona National Guard)

:cry:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

1. RIP, Sgt. Allen.

And to think Jonah Goldberg said he couldn't go fight because he has a kid. Hey, Jonah, Sgt. Allen had THREE, so put up or shut up NOW.

[skylarmae]

2. good morning, DU - This is a heartbreaker

the picture of this man with his kids has me in tears and mad as hell this morning at georgie porgie and his fuckhead buds....

The faces of those babies....

[Cooley Hurd]

3. Kicking and nominating...

Another reminder of the very human cost of this fucking war...:cry:

[lostnfound]

4. Saddest headline..sad story.

Just the headline is so bad. Dying in a war you don't believe in.

What pretty children.

[SpiralHawk]

5. Bush's Oedipal Complex and Curse

For which the Whole Frikkin Planet Must Suffer.

Why doesn't he just go see a psychiatrist?

[0007]

6. What a nice looking family

RIP

[npincus]

7. link to his web log?

Bush's bloody hands.

[katinmn]

8. "...like having a mountain upon our chests."

His wife, Patience, has an online journal.http://www.livejournal.com/users/hooah860thwife/

"The pain that we feel right now is like having a mountain upon our chests."

Heartbreaking.

[leftchick]

9. that is absolutely heartbreaking

he sounds like he was just a wonderful human being. Snuffed out for LIES... :cry:

[katinmn]

10. He does sound like a wonderful person

I hope Patience joins Gold Star Families for Peace or another group for support. She's going to need it. Losing someone to a lie has to be doubly hard.

[ngGale]

11. Heartbreaking....

what a beautiful family.:cry:

[atomic-fly]

12. Rest in peace Mr. Allen. I feel for your family.

The war president thanks you for your service!

[MissHoneychurch]

13. RIP Paul Allen

and the world of strength to your wife.

I am crying now :cry:

[UpInArms]

14. I am so saddened by this family's loss -

:cry:

"There's only one person who hugs the mothers and the widows, the wives and the kids upon the death of their loved one. Others hug but having committed the troops, I've got an additional responsibility to hug and that's me and I know what it's like."

Source: ABC News Transcripts, "President Bush and First Lady Bush '20/20' Year-End Interview," Dec. 13, 2002

[leftchick]

24. he is so disgusting

there is a special place in hell for him...:puke:

[tomg]

15. This is why we go to Washington to march.

I see a photo like this and I don't know if I want to cry or scream. There are people far more knowledgeable about the ins and out of Answer or UFPJ and whatever and strategy and focus, but I know that even though I write letters, or send money, or work locally, at a certain point, I - a middle class, late middle-aged father of four ( three military-service age) - have to just physically be there to say "enough."
The day after I got back from Washington, I was watching C-Span's coverage of those who support the War. One of the Gold Star fathers speaking was the brother of two guys I taught thirty-three years ago in a small Catholic High School. A few days ago I got an e-mail from another former student asking for a letter of rec. We are still close. Her husband was just sent back for his second tour. One of my younger relatives got his orders to Iraq and he is leaving in a few weeks. My heart is breaking for Ms. Allen and her children and the entire Allen family. It's breaking for the father on C-Span and the two uncles I taught, for my former student, for my family, and for every family who have been harmed or endangered. I feel so sorry that we didn't do a better job of protecting our country and other countries from people who want to harm our children for their own vicious ends.

[katinmn]

17. I, too, feel personal remorse when someone dies like this

in Bush's elective war.

Why didn't the country wake up sooner? Now they have taken all our power away. It doesn't matter to them that a majority of the country wants out of this war. They are trampling over us and no one with power is speaking up.

I was there in DC, too, and in Crawford, and at countless protests and vigils, and I felt the same as you.

Enough is enough. We are living a true nightmare.

[bonito]

16. How long do we have to waite

For the true American leaders to put this administration out of washington? When will they start defending Americans from this evil band of of people?

[kentuck]

18. It's a shame...

:(

[bleedingheart]

19. More proof this war is just wasting the lives of talented men and women

as well as the money that could have been used to create a universal healthcare system, education and to repair and retool our nation's transportation infrastructure.

[UrbScotty]

20. How 'pro-life' of our President, huh? (nt)

[txaslftist]

21. He did a job he wasn't meant to do...

He was my heart and soul. Never did I think that at the
age of 31 I'd be a widow. I'm so very proud of my husband and all that he
believed. He didn't agree with this war but it was his duty. He did a job he
wasn't meant to do and he did it well and the price he paid was not recognition
for a job well done. He paid with his life and felt so let down that he wasn't
getting recognized for the job he was doing. I will never forget his smile.. or
his mischevious little giggle.. or the way he'd always put whip cream on my nose
when he'd dish up the ice cream or strawberry shortcake... I'll never forget the
feeling of putting my head on his chest as we laid in bed watching movies
together.. and I'll never forget that he really truly did love me... Forever in
my heart. Forever in my soul. Forever will he have my love and admiration.

[lostnfound]

23. The fact that he was National Guard is adding insult to injury (or death)

These Guardsmen sign up to protect their OWN country. No self-respecting decent president sends them to the Mideast.

[sabra]

22. Send this to all pro-war repugs!

very sad :-(

[Opusnone]

25. I'm so sorry, kids.

Your dad sounded like a great man. Just think of him as your angel in heaven.
Now take off those uniforms and don't ever put them on unless you truly have to defend your country.