If this is what war gets us I don't want no part of it

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA5DPHV9KD.html

Joy for Some, Heartbreak for Others as GIs Come Marching Home From Iraq

<snip> A few, though, were returning to divorce papers or delayed heartbreaks.

"I'm not sure if she's going to be there or not," Spc. Choice Kinchen of Friendswood, Texas, said of his wife.

At stops along their nearly 400-mile drive to Kuwait, the men would be called together to hear psychologists, chaplains and commanders warn them that reunions might be awkward after almost a year of separation.

Maj. Patrick Ratigan, a senior Roman Catholic chaplain, offered a last bit of advice just before the men climbed the stairs to a Delta Airlines jet for the flight to Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia.

"You've changed since you left home 10 or 11 months ago. You've fought a war, you've killed people, or, at the very least, you've been in danger of being killed," Ratigan said. "You don't notice it, but when you get home, your family and friends will notice it."

more...please read the whole article

[disgruntella]

1. thanks for posting this n/t

[bigtree]

2. good story

This war is going to produce the most disgruntled, disillusioned returning soldiers in the nation's history. Their words bring us a true picture of this occupation and its horrible effect.

The irony is that there are few rewards for these soldier's sacrifices. The nation barely provides for them while they are enlisted and virtually abandons them when they discharge without serving enough time to recieve a pension. If they are injured we force them to wait in line for care.

It's not hard to fully empathize with these soldiers. Many joined with the expectation that we would continue to pursue a rational strategy of peaceful engagements in concert with the UN or NATO. Then came the war-mongering, corporate commander and his cold-warriors who viewed our military as an offensive weapon and disregarded the humanity of the soldiers or their adversaries in their mindless power-grab.

We have to fight to bring these soldiers home alive. And honor them with our full support when they return. We can't just leave them to the whim and indifference of this reckless administration.