Twice-wounded Marine: "I shouldn't have to go back"

[Cuban_Liberal]

Douglas County Republican
December 17th, 2004

ARTHUR-- Lance Cpl. Luke Tope is glad to be home, and he wishes he could stay, but in 30 days he will be sent back to Iraq. Tope was injured in Fallujah while going door-to-door in an eight-story building in mid-November, when he approached a door and tracers went flying over him and he was hit several times in the leg. In July 2003, he was shot in the back, the bullet narrowly missing his heart. That bullet remains lodged in his body.

"It's unbelievable that I have to go back", he said while sitting in his mother's rural Arthur kitchen, noting that his tour of duty has already been extended twice. "It's like the Marine Corps has decided they'll just keep sending me back until someone finally kills me." An only child, Tope is less concerned for himself than he is for his widowed mother, who has severe health problems. "Who's going to take care of my mother, if I'm KIA (killed in action)?", he asks.

Enter U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin. When another family member learned that Cpl. Tope was to be sent back to Iraq, they contacted Durbin's Springfield office, hoping that the powerful senator could intervene on Tope's behalf. According to a letter the family received, Sen. Durbin agrees that the situation is 'outrageous', and has promised to do all he can to help the get Tope assigned stateside when he reports back for duty next month.

Cpl. Tope expressed his gratitude for Sen. Durbin's intervention, saying "He understands that there is no 'one size fits all' solution to our lack of sufficient manpower in Iraq. They can't magically solve the problem by simply returning everyone who suffers non-catastrophic wounds back to the theater (of operations). I think my situation is somewhat unique, because Mom's circumstances have changed greatly since I enlisted: my dad died suddenly 3 years ago, and then Mom developed severe heart and lung problems", he said. "They ought to take that into account, considering that I've already been wounded twice".

Until his situation is finalized, Tope plans to spend his time with his mother, family and friends. "It'll be nice to be home for Christmas, but if Santa's listening, he knows what the only gift I want this year is--- not to have to go back."

Note to Mods: The paper is a semi-weekly, and does not appear online. I have the publisher's permission to post this in its entirety, however.


Edit: typo

[Paleocon]

1. He should not have to go back...

Of course, he shouldn't have had to go there in the first place. :think:

[Cuban_Liberal]

2. I agree on both counts. n/t

[The Zanti Regent]

24. Will not ONE REPORTER do this?

Will not ONE REPORTER keep dogging George P Bush and ask him why he refuses to fight?

Is there not ONE REPORTER who will do that? Not ONE???????

[w4rma]

25. I think there are reporters willing to do it but will a major media outlet

do it? Will that reporter's boss allow it?

[Cuban_Liberal]

34. I'm not optimistic.

This seems to be the "War from Paxil", the way the media spins it.

[xchrom]

3. how many don't have senator durbin to get their back?

i have very mixed feelings about this -- as i do about the state of the country.
however, i wish to see no one harmed.
and i can feel for circumstances.

[Cuban_Liberal]

33. The Senate is supposed to be the nation's conscience.

It seems to me that far too many either have no conscience, or have not yet become sufficiently appalled at the carnage in Iraq.

[NMDemDist2]

4. Good thing he has a Democratic Senator to help him out n/t

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. Good for Sen. Durbin

Even during WWII, if a man was the sole support of his family or widowed mother, he was allowed to stay home. That they are sending a fellow who has been twice wounded back into combat only adds insult to the situation. Shows how little Shrub cares about the military.

Arthur IL is a beautiful community-used to visit it as a kid to get cheese from the factory there. Knowing the folks who live around there, I know that Cpl. Tope is getting lots of support. But if you think a word from a former Illinoisan living in Arkansas might help, let me know and I'll email whoever.

[Cuban_Liberal]

6. Will do.

I'll let you know, if I hear anything.

:hi:

[underpants]

7. Nope son according to the Swifties you haven't been injured enough

Not get back in there and defend 'Murka from those Iraqis in Iraq.

[leesa]

8. Where are those young Republicans to take this young man's place???

[nostamj]

13. exactly!

[Cuban_Liberal]

15. Pulling a 'Cheney'

I'm sure they have 'other priorities'.

:grr:

[Solly Mack]

9. He can try for the "only son" option a well. YES, they still do that

As an only child (making him the only son)....he can request CONUS duty....


military still grants exceptions for that....but you have to apply for it.


Not saying he'll get it.

Probably won't considering the troop shortage. It's not like Bush Inc gives a damn.

[The Zanti Regent]

10. Dream on.

My only child died in Iraq.

[Cuban_Liberal]

11. I'm so sorry.

So did my sister's only son.

:cry::hug:

[Solly Mack]

12. I did say he probably wouldn't get it

I'm just looking at all the options for the young man so he doesn't have to go back. A senator has some pull and can help make it happen.


I'm sorry for the loss of your son. I can't imagine the grief.




My husband spent a year in Iraq.

[Misunderestimator]

14. Oh god... I am so sorry!

How horrible... :hug:

[Mend]

16. John Kerry went back

Three purple hearts later you get the swiftboat people to lie about you.

[Cuban_Liberal]

18. If he DID get killed, they'd laud him as a 'patriot'.

Until then, however, they'd do just as you said.

:puke:

[BuelahWitch]

17. Send George P. Bush to take his place

Or Jenna or Barbara...

[beyurslf]

19. Surely the Republicans can find a suitable replacement for this

young man.

[SammyWinstonJack]

26. Send a bu$h family member in his place. n/t

[durablend]

28. Too busy spending those tax cuts...

No time for some silly war when there's still poor/middle class people that haven't been sent over.

[ckramer]

20. Iraq War = choice war of Bush

[Mari333]

21. Cannon fodder. Thats all our kids are to these murderers

in the WH. When Michael comes back in the spring, I am wondering how soon before they send him right back.
To the families who lost their children to the madman in the WH..there are no words ...

[Cuban_Liberal]

22. The kids are helpless pawns in a necon chess game.

It just makes me ill every time I think about it.

:puke:

[babylonsister]

23. This is making my heart sick.

I guess I need to stop reading stuff here, maybe hide my head in the sand. It's such a miscarriage of justice for this young man. And how many others out there are in almost the same situation?

[Cuban_Liberal]

29. A whole bunch, I'm afraid.

It WILL get worse.

:(

[Ms_Mary]

27. Twice wounded with a bullet permanently lodged in his chest. :-(

[jazzjunkysue]

30. Draft the Bush Twins

[Cuban_Liberal]

31. When pigs fly.

You won't catch a member of the Bush family in uniform--- ever.

[Cuban_Liberal]

32. self-delete

Dupe

[MrSlayer]

35. BACK TO THE FRONT!

Soldier Boy, Made of Clay, Now an Empty Shell.
Twenty-One, Only Son but He Served Us Well.
Bred to Kill, Not to Care, Do Just as We Say.
Finished Here, Greeting's Death, He's yours to take Away!

Metallica - Disposable Heroes.

[Disturbed]

36. Tweety in his special...

at Walter Reed said all of the wounded want to go back to the War. Oh...really?

Isn't is obvious that this Fascist Govt. of Amerika doesn't give a shit about the troops? It is mighty strange that most of the troops still support those that have betrayed them. The brainwashing they get is mighty powerful.