Parents of US soldiers in Iraq say it is time for them to come home

[Purveyor]

WASHINGTON (AFP) Dec 10, 2003

Just back from a one-week visit to Iraq, a group of parents with children stationed in the war-torn country said it is high time the troops came home, pointing to the growing frustration Iraqis seem to feel at their presence.

Medea Benjamin, one of the trip's organizers, said the general message the families received throughout their visit was: "Thanks for getting us rid of Saddam Hussein. Please get out now."

"They want to see an end of US occupation and see the US troops leave," she added, highlighting a sentiment shared by many soldiers' parents.

"Iraqis are becoming very frustrated," said Mike Lopercio, whose son is stationed in Fallujah.

"The term 'resistance' has become a real term. The longer we stay, the more it will become real," said John Grant, a Vietnam veteran.

Fernando Suarez del Solar, who visited the place where his son was killed in March, said "seeing the faces of Iraqi children, I understand what my son died for -- to give them a future."

But, speaking in Spanish, he warned against a prolonged US occupation that would cultivate "hatred of the American flag or inspire some to seek vengeance."

Annabelle Valencia, who has two children stationed with the US Army in Iraq, asked President George W. Bush to listen to the parents' pleas.

"We want to see our children alive, not as (fallen) heroes," Valencia declared in Spanish.

[leftchick]

1. do you have a link?

I would like to read the rest of this. Thanks... :)

[Moderator]

2. Hi, Purveyor!

Please read the rules for posting in LBN
at the top of the Forum page, please provide a link to the article, use the title of the article as the subject heading, and post only 3-4 paragraphs.

Thanks, and feel free to re-post this.

DU Moderator