I want to thank you guys for keeping this vet sane...

[liberaliraqvet26]

A little over a year ago I got home from Iraq, where I served under the now infamous 800th MP Batallion (Abu Guraib) as an Army Reservist. I was not at Abu Guraib but at another detention facilty, Camp Bucca (near Basrah). My unit made up of mostly working class African Americans, Hispanics and a few whites(like myself) spent 14 months in the worst possible conditions one can imagine. We were there from the intitial invasion through the mass confusion of the so called Coalition Provisinal Authority, the unbelievable hot summer (130 degrees plus), and left before the worst of the insurgency began. Holy shit, I thought we had it bad. No body armor, no air conditioning, no war planning, nothing has changed at all since then. Actually as surprising as it is the casualty numbers have gotten worse. In April I began feeling guilty for things that happened during the war. Things I am not proud of happened in that desert. I spent the first few months feeling sorry for myself. Then I started reading blogs. I found Democratic Underground and seeing that you guys had it dead on balls right. I lurked around here for a while and began working as a surrogate for the Kerry campaign and traveled around the country. I had the time of my life and became motavated to get into politics. As tough as the election was and as much as I hate bastards like Rumsfeld, Rove and most of all Cheney, there is hope. We have each other and we can reach the masses. Many are still in that desert making sacrifices (unlike the chickenhawks of both parties) and it is our duty to help them whether they see it or not. I was a registered Republican before leaving for Iraq. One day after returning home I changed my voter reg to Dem forever. I know I may be rambling and am not the best writer but I want to say that you have given me the courage to speak out and the will to go on. Please do not give up. You are making a difference just being here.

[alcibiades_mystery]

1. You're an excellent writer

Don't sell yourself short.

Welcome to DU (again).

[mike_c]

2. welcome, and kudos...

...for your ability to see through the BS. :toast:

[katinmn]

3. No, thank you.

First, thanks for posting.
Second, thanks for serving the country, learning the score, and working hard for a change.
Third, thanks for calling like it is!

We know we have a tough fight but we are all in it for the long haul.

[funflower]

4. You are a WONDERFUL writer, liberaliraqvet26. Welcome to DU!

:hi: :patriot:

[evlbstrd]

5. That was very well stated.

Thanks for your service, I'm sorry for your experiences in Iraq, and glad you are entering politics with a sincere desire to effect change.

And welcome to DU!

Former USN, here.

[harrison]

6. Well, thanks for posting. Hell, the Democratic Party, as pitiful

as it can be sometimes, is the only hope that this country has in my opinion, along with a few patriotic Republicans who are going to have to choose between their country and their party.

By the way, for a minor bit of therapy, buy the cd, American Idiot, by Green Day. Go to cut number three, Holiday, and turn it up loud. When I get outraged, it seems to work for me.

Finally, thanks for your sacrifice and service to this country.

[Ishoutandscream2]

7. Well, I know I have to say thank you for your sacrifice

and your service. I am so glad to hear that you will become, and always be, a registered Democrat.

Hey, my right wing friends keep telling me that things aren't that bad in Iraq. Maybe they need to see things close up as you did.

[helderheid]

8. God bless you and welcome to DU!

Your post is exceptionally well written and NOMINATED.

[Cha]

9. I think you are a good writer..I hung

on every word! Welcome to DU! :patriot:

And thank you so much for your service ..especially under such vile circumstances.

Thanks for your words of encouragement, too!

[cynatnite]

10. Welcome home and welcome to DU

Thank you for your eloquent post and I look forward to hearing more from you. :patriot:

[mopaul]

11. welcome liberaliraqvet26

welcome home

[LiberalAndProud]

12. Thank you.

Thank you for going there when your country called.

Welcome HOME! (to country and party)

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

13. So glad you made it back to us, and thanks for the great post!

[SammyWinstonJack]

14. Welcome to DU!

:hi: Glad to have you here!

[mcar]

15. Thank you for your service

and welcome home.

[Joey Liberal]

16. Thanks for your service and welcome to the Democratic Party

And welcome to DU.

[Stinky The Clown]

17. Thanks for your service, welcome home, welcome to DU and welcome

to the Democratic party.

The words of those who were there and saw the shit - lived the shit - are the most eloquent of all.

[understandinglife]

18. Thank you and welcome.

Peace.


www.missionnotaccomplished.us - IT'S THE LAW, EVERYONE.

[Matariki]

19. thanks for that.

i'm all teary-eyed. the result of good writing methinks ;-)

[OKNancy]

20. Thank you so much

Today I have had two " God, I love DU " moments. It is so rare with all the fussin' and fightin' we sometimes do.

Welcome to DU and welcome home amd welcome to the DEMOCRATIC party!

[UpInArms]

21. my heartfelt thanks to you, liberaliraqvet26

for your courage, your strength to continue and your post.

Welcome to DU, the Democratic Party and back to the US :hi:

I am so glad that you made it home and that you want to help all the fine people at DU (and elsewhere) make our country stronger, smarter and better.

Hat's off and your writing is lovely - keep doing it!

[knowbody0]

22. wow

really good to read your words. you write better than well. a good way to heal is to help others. rock on, baby

[Lex]

23. Thank you for your service, welcome to DU

and thank you so much for your post.

[jedr]

24. as a Vietnam vet ,I'm recommending that;

you go to get some cousueling....the anger that your experiencing now will soon turn into depression and besides; don't you want to enjoy the 4th of July fireworks without yelling "incoming" . good luck my friend and thanks for your sacrifice and stay a Dem forever.

[kliljedahl]

39. "enjoy the 4th of July fireworks without yelling "incoming"

I know that one well. Not personally but through many friends who came back & were never the same. Hope you've worked it out.


Keith’s Barbeque Central

[jedr]

50. I just was trying to add some humor to my post,

I do wish you the best with all your efforts. We didn't know what post traumatic stress was, it was 15 yrs later when I came to grips with it. It's a natural reaction to the horrors that you see. I'm fine, I just like to help those who have "seen the elephant"

[kliljedahl]

53. Well that post hit home

When I first moved here I stayed with a friend of mine who was a Vietnam vet. His boy wanted to go see the fireworks on the 4th. We went and I escorted his son while he cowered in the back of the van covering his ears. It'll never leave my mind.


Keith’s Barbeque Central

[whatever4]

97. That reminds me

of a heartbreaking story on the news. That children of soldiers coming home had to be warned to not startle their fathers when they're sleeping, because their parent might wake up suddnely and hurt them, maybe badly. I know it makes sense, I know that's just "how it is", but as a parent, it was just a bit much. What that would do to a small child, finally having their dad back, wanting to run up and jump on the bed, so happy to wake up to having him home. It still makes me cry.

[cally]

25. Thank you for your post

and service in Iraq and in politics. Together, we will take this country back. :hug:

[blm]

26. Sounds like you're ready to run for office and kick some ass, yourself.

We'll help every step of the way.

Thanks for your post.

[micrometer_50]

27. Thanks for making it home. n/t

[jimshoes]

28. Welcome home,

appreciate your service and sacrifice. Glad to have you here.

[SeattleGirl]

29. Thank you

for your service, and your post, and your thoughtful comments. Welcome home, welcome to DU, and welcome to the Democratic Party.

:hi:

[IndyOp]

30. Welcome liberaliraqvet26...

In your post you said that you have begun feeling guilty for things that happened during the war.

Please, always reach out and find people who will listen when you are feeling this way - don't hold this in. I lost my cousin Mac as a result of his experiences in Vietnam.

Reach out and accept support. We need you on our side - on the side of all Iraq vets and soldiers, on the side of all Americans and Iraqis.

When you are able, in whatever way you are able, please write/talk about what you saw.

:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:

[libodem]

31. thanks for posting here

your voice is appreciated. We all know what is happening but we can't cooberate it, as the most damning intelligence withheld from the public. I'm sure anything that is 'unpopular' becomes 'top secret' classified Intel. So hearing it from the soldiers themselves is the best source of information we have. I don't like to be grossed out by pictures, but photos and film, tell the story. You don't need a narrative if the picture is plain enough. thank you for being here

[deadparrot]

32. You do the real work.

By just going into Iraq, you have a million times more bravery than I do. I read a book recently called "War is a Force That Gives Us Meaning," by Chris Hedges. I know I can't possibly know what it's like in the midst of battle without physically being there, but reading that book was about as close as I'd ever like to come. It chilled me to the bone, and to think that you (and your comrades) have to experience it on an exponentially greater scale is something that astounds me.

Thank you for your kind words, and best of luck in your future endeavors, political or otherwise.

[MuseRider]

33. Thank you

for coming here. Thank you for your service. I hope you do not have to go back and I hope you are feeling better.

Your writing is fine, your work is terrific. We are making a difference. DU is great isn't it?

[liberaliraqvet26]

34. I am honorably discharged...

so I will not be going back. EVER.

[MuseRider]

47. I am very glad

to know you will not return. Welcome home. I am glad you are here.

[AmBlue]

35. Thanks for being here...

We need you here to inspire us and motivate us, but we also you need your strength to be joined with ours. That was a wonderfully written post. I'm so glad you made it home. And welcome to DU!! :patriot:

[applegrove]

36. You fight for us there.. when needed ... we will fight for you here!

[K8-EEE]

82. Yes!! It Is ONLY The Dems Who Will Fight For The Vets

Always been that way...

[applegrove]

93. Oh - but don't forget the 'decade of the brain'. Serious. If you think you

have PTSD they have great drugs for that. So don't be shy. (Taking any drug is never a great thing..but if trauma ever takes over your life..try something..they do help...I have PTSD).

[gratefull4u]

37. Thank You so very much.

For all you have done and for giving me hope for the future. Beautiful Post!

[KittyWampus]

38. Hello, I hope you have someone to talk to in real time. Or even someone

just to be quiet with.

:)

[SmileMaker]

40. Man - it feels good to hear that coming from a vet

Sometimes I feel so hopeless out here and the betrayal of our soldiers is one of the most tragic aspects of that hopelessness.

How DARE the cons accuse liberals of putting our troops in danger?!


We need our troops to protect us from the fascist network that betrayed them into a taxpayer supported hell.

I worry about the PTSD that you guys will come home with. I think it would therapeutic if you soldiers could form some sort of network to fight the war at home to protect our Constitution from the enemies who hijacked it in the name of 911.

[w8liftinglady]

119. I used to feel guilty..

Because I was so critical of what we were doing in Iraq-since my son is a soldier who has been in the Middle East(Afghanistan and Iraq) for a total of 2 1/2 years.I was relieved to come here,too,and get support from these good people.I have nothing but respect for our soldiers who speak out against this inhumane war-since you have been betrayed by your Commander - in - chief.God bless.

[spooky3]

41. All of the above!!! I'm glad you made it back home. And thank you.

[BamaBecky]

42. Thank You for being here and for your service to Iraq! Your

story is compelling. From your words, I was able to visualize the guys and gals over there now fighting the heat and the insurgency......and finding out one by one that Bush/Blair/Cheney pushed this war on Americans and the British with lies and fabrications. You are probably young. I'm in my fifties. I have never been so alarmed for the state of this nation as I am now. I was too young and immature to care about Viet Nam. But as I aged I came to a fuller realization of the military industrial complex.

From day one, I have been angry about this stupid useless war. I'm flabbergasted to hear morons try to justify it. I was even more shocked to learn that I was related to many of those morons.
Bama

:toast:

[oxbow]

43. You sound like a young John Kerry

He served his country during an unjust war too, and it changed his life, as it apparently has yours. I tend to think that things like that happen for a reason. Who knows, maybe you have some role to play before this whole mess is finished as well. Keep your eyes open for your opportunity.

And thank you. I salute your service and your sacrifice.

[pamela]

44. Welcome home.

Thank you for your service and thank you for speaking out. Let us know if you need help with anything.

[liberaliraqvet26]

45. I am putting a DU sticker on my car...

tommorow morning.

[NMDemDist2]

56. if you really want to mess with people's minds get one of these too

to balance out your bumper



thanks for your post, your service, your honesty and welcome to DU and the Party!

[ebayfool]

46. And you are making a difference just being here!

Thank you for serving the country in the AR, & thank you for continuing to serve now that you are home, by working for change. We haven't forgotten the people that are still in that desert ... we want to bring them home. We need voices of experience here, the DUer vets help the rest of us to understand what the troops are going through & need - you'll fit in just fine!

Welcome home, liberaliraqvet26 ... welcome home.

[GreenPartyVoter]

48. We got yer back, hon. Thanks for having ours! *hugs*

[WillyT]

49. You Write Just Fine !!! - Got Me Cryin !!!

Welcome to DU. Very, very glad you are here with us.

Thank you for your service.

:hug:

[Sparkly]

51. Welcome, liberaliraqvet!!

Thanks for your service and your words!! :hug:

[Technowitch]

52. Welcome, to DU, LiberalIraqvet26

Good to have you here. And thank you for your story.

-Technowitch

[alittlelark]

54. I'm very happy you found us... and a focus.

You will not be one of the 10's of thousands returning from that b*sh-made Hell-Hole that suffers from PTSD to the degree that you lose yourself.

You found a cyber-space family.

:patriot: :grouphug: :patriot:

[libnnc]

55. *whew* it's hard to type with tears in your eyes.

Welcome to DU. So glad to have you with us.

But most importantly, WELCOME HOME. :hug:

[alfredo]

57. Welcome home bro.

I am a vet. I served to the south of you in Eritrea. 1965-1969

Glad you are speaking up. We need to take care of our brothers and sisters in Iraq. We also need to get the word out that opposing the bush junta IS supporting our troops. The junta is abusing our soldiers by taking advantage of their patriotism for their own person gain. That is criminal.

[Blue_In_AK]

58. Mr. Vet, we are SO glad to see you here. n/t

[driver8]

59. Always a pleasure to welcome another liberal veteran to DU...

There are quite a few of us hanging around.

Excellent post -- you are an excellent writer. I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future.

[Jacobin]

60. Thank you for serving the country

I'm glad you made it home safely and that you are here to help others understand the reality of this invasion. I'm hoping that eventually, we can get those in power out of power, and elect leaders who can figure a way out of the quagmire so that the killing can end.

Welcome.

[Lugnut]

61. Thank you for your service

And thank you for your well written post. :hi:

[Gay Green]

62. Welcome home and welcome to DU!

. :)

[Zen Democrat]

63. Iraq Veterans Against The War. The most important protest group

will always be made of people protesting from experience and first-hand knowledge. If John Kerry had kept the fire in his belly that he had with VVAW he would have won decisively, IMO, with or without Diebold.

Thank you for your service and God bless you.

[Tinoire]

64. Welcome to DU liberaliraqvet26!

Thank you for your post :toast: I'm glad you found us and happy
we've been able to be here for you!

[lateo]

65. Welcome to DU!

[CAG]

66. Welcome home vet

How does it feel to serve in Iraq and then hear the crap that Rove threw out today?

I swear some people (neocon chickenhawks especially) were born without the gene that confers the recognition of sheer hypocrisy

[il_lilac]

67. You are the fourth registered repub I heard today

that switched parties after their experience in/with Iraq. You have helped feed me hope today. Thank you for your service, welcome home, and I'm so glad you found us!

[Strangefire]

68. Thank you for your service, and thank you for being here. :)

[Magginkat]

69. Great Commentary.....

Thank you for sharing. I wish that we had hundreds of soldiers like you who have been in that place to run for congressional seats. Yes, I think you shoudl run for Congress! Heaven knows we need to get rid of most of those corporate owned thugs. You wouldn't happen to live in the Florida panhandle would you? We have a slimmy republican who needs to be removed from congress before he gets too comfortable.

My son just returned from serving over a year in that hell hole and is still beiing held in limbo by that idiot Rumsfeld's stop loss orders.

By the way I just started a Yahoo group for military families and we would love to have you and any other military family, extended family, vets & supporters to join us. Perhaps you could shed some light on the question we are asking (below)

New Military family group.... sharing ideas, supporting each other and asking the tough questions that need to be asked.

For example: Are the numbers of war dead being "adjusted" to exclude military members who did not die on Iraqi soil...... soldiers who were injured & died on the way to the hospital in Germany or other places and those who died later because of injuries received in Iraq? Would that explain why this administration does not want the coffins to be photographed at Dover?

[e-mail]

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OurMilitaryFamily/

[Arugula Latte]

70. Wow. That's an amazing story.

I'm glad you are back and that you are now fighting the good fight against the evil bastards who sent you to Iraq.

[Historic NY]

71. Thank you for your service.......I worry about the guys over there....

my buddy is about to deploy on a 3rd tour with the Marines. I know he is a bit worried this time, given his past experiences and he is a 1st Sgt.

[johnaries]

72. Thank you for serving your country in SO MANY ways.

I apologize that somehow we let you down and let you be sent into that hellhole for what are now obviously purely political reasons.

Hopefully, with your help, we won't continue to let down the rest of our brave troops.
:patriot:

[peacebaby3]

73. My husband served in Iraq around the same time as you.

He was a moderate republican as well but changed while he was over there. I have always been a very proud Liberal! He was out of town (thanks to the Army) on election day so he drove 6 hours round trip to vote for Kerry.

I wasn't actually in Iraq but sometimes felt as if I were because of living through it day after day for a year while he was there (even though I know it doesn't compare) so I know how hard it is for you to do this and the bravery it takes to speak out against what is going on. I remember the horrible conditions they lived in the entire time they were there. Although I will say other than the first few weeks of the war when nobody knew what was going on or going to happen, I thank God he was there then instead of now because it seems even worse now. I heard some things about Camp Bucca so I know it was a real miserable place.

One of the things I remember the most was when the unit was ambushed (the Jessica Lynch group) and it was first reported that it was a TRANS unit, I was worried sick that it could be his unit because they were going out that day and the dumb asses running the war had neglected to think about what would happen if the supply units following in got attacked and his unit was ammunition TRANS. There was a 7 or 8 hr. time difference and I remember being up all night literally puking my guts out because I had become so distraught waiting to hear from him.

Also during the first few weeks he was gone, I was in the shower and it was about 5:30 - 6:00 am and I heard my doorbell ring. I remember the terror I felt because I couldn't imagine who would be at my door at this time of the morning unless it was very important. I jumped out of the shower with soap still in my hair, wrapped up in a robe and ran to the door, looked out and it was a sheriff. Even though I know that they should send someone from the Army to notify me, my mind started running wild and I started to wonder if it was possible that they didn't have anyone to send out right then so they had sent the sheriff to tell me my husband had been killed in Iraq because I couldn't think of any reason why he would be at my front door. I swear it seemed like it took me hours to open the front door - it was like everything was moving in slow motion. Turns out he had the wrong house and was trying to serve someone. I'm surprised I didn't get arrested because I was not at all nice (and felt bad because it wasn't really his fault).

The worst incident by far was when he called me in the middle of the night (morning there) and told me they were going out on a mission/convoy and all these stories were going around about kids in the town that would stand in front of the trucks and if you stopped your truck was ambushed so they were being told not to stop because of the danger. He was really worried about what he was going to do if there was a kid standing in front of him when he was going through the town (I think it might have been al-Hilla, but not sure now)and he was in charge of all of these guys so he had to think of them as well. Even though he didn't ask me directly, I knew he had called to see what I would say because I've always been the humanitarian. I was literally sick and wanted to break down on the phone but I didn't, I just calmly said that I needed him to come home alive. It was all I could do to make it through the next couple of minutes on the phone before he had to go. As soon as I was off the phone, I cried so long and so hard that I could no longer breathe. I prayed for forgiveness and I prayed that nothing would happen. I remember the complete rage I had because this administration had made me lose a piece of my soul that day. They had made me a murderer or a potential murderer by my complicity. Although I will admit that I would not change what I said, I will regret that I had to make that decision and I will never, NEVER forget. My husband told me nothing happened that day and I think he is telling the truth because it would have probably killed him if it had, but I also realize that he knows how difficult it is for me even to this day so I don't think he would tell me if it did.

On a much lighter note, I have a rather funny story about the heat over there. My hubby loves to fish so I had sent him a couple of fishing mags to read (of course they were a couple of months old by the time he got them - mail very slow back then)and he was sitting outside of the tent (they lived in a tent city) in a chair reading during some down time and went to the bathroom/outhouse, and put the magazine in the chair - by the time he got back which was just a couple of mins., the glue holding the pages together had melted and it was falling apart. That's how hot it was that day. He said between 130-140 degrees.

It seems all of us that have been touched by this war have things that are hard to deal with so hang in there and know that you are on the right path and are not alone.

Thank goodness my husband can retire in about 10 months. We are looking very forward to him being out.

Thank you for your service liberaliraqvet26 and please feel free to PM me anytime if you ever need some moral support.

It is wonderful to know others who see the truth!

[PittLib]

85. Welcome to you too peacebaby3!

Thank you for sharing.

[peacebaby3]

106. Thanks. It was hard to remember those times so I can only imagine what it

must be like for liberaliraqvet26 and my husband who were actually there.

We lost a friend over there in early May, killed by an IED. He was suppose to come home about 2 weeks later. Left behind 4 kids. He had missed going with my husband's unit (his original unit) because of some medical reason at the time. He had lost his full-time job and was desperate for money so he had begged to go with another unit under the same battalion so he could earn money for his family. My husband tried to talk him out of going, told him it just wasn't worth it but he insisted that he had to make some money and he went. He was buried the day before Mother's Day and about the time his unit was scheduled to come home. Very tragic as I know all of the deaths are for Americans and Iraqis. It still really bothers my husband. He wonders if there was anything else he could have said to change his mind.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my post, PittLib. I've been around here a little while but I don't post that often.

[cally]

112. Thanks for posting

You brought tears to my eyes. Learning from the soldiers and their families about what is happening in Iraq matters. Truth matters. Someday we'll get these men and women home. I'm glad your husband is home and safe now. :hug:

[peacebaby3]

132. Thank you for reading. n/t

[leesa]

74. Excellent post! I'm glad you found something to keep you sane. It's why

we're all here.

[CrispyQ]

75. We are honored to have you join us.

Welcome! And let us know when you run for office!

[lovuian]

76. I'm proud of our servicemen & women just not happy at

Bush & company putting our children in a needless war!!!

[MrScorpio]

77. Another vet here

Welcome to DU...

Welcome Home

[welshTerrier2]

78. just plain great ...

welcome to DU, my friend ...

not a good writer? of course i'm sure you've already realized that absolutely everyone on DU is a very talented author ... most of us have written dozens of bestsellers ...

we don't care how you write ... we care about your ideas and your knowledge ...

it would be great if you could teach us about what life was like in Iraq for both Americans stuck over there and for the Iraqi people ... info like that is like gold given the media blackout on truthful coverage of the occupation ...

good to meet you liv26 !!! i'm looking forward to more of your posts ...

[HeeBGBz]

79. Thanks for serving our country in the most difficult of circumstances

I'm glad you are back home.

[Catch22Dem]

80. This vet thanks you tremendously!

You'll find a lot of us here. Many are combat vets, others (like me) are not. I can't thank you enough for this post. I really hope to see a lot more of you.

Peace, brother.

[K8-EEE]

81. To Me, You Are A Hero

You could just strut around and bragged about your service -- you would have every right actually, what you did is more than most people have ever sacrificed.

But you tell the truth, and risk another sort of bullet, another sort of assasination from the thugs and liars who now control our government.

The truth will set us all free -- God bless you.

[Patchuli]

83. Welcome Home!!!

And belated Welcome to DU! :patriot: We got yer back!

[Beam Me Up]

84. Thank you for your service.

First of all, as has been pointed out rightly several times in this thread, you are a very talented writer. I appreciated reading every word you said not only because it was said well, but because it concerns something that is of great interest to me. I have been greatly concerned about the war in Iraq, long before it even started. It is a rare opportunity to hear someone telling the truth about this war from their own first hand experience.

As someone uptread mentioned, I hope you continue to write and publish online about your experiences as you feel comfortable dowing so. I'm sure there are many people like myself who will be very interested to hear what you have to say.


:patriot:

[giant_robot]

86. Thank you for your post and for your service to our country

By speaking out you are among the truly brave.

[ClayZ]

87. Thanks for posting and KEEP IT UP! Your voice is so important!

It is people like you who will change the world! Thank you for your service and welcome home!

PEACE!



:kick:

[Kurovski]

88. Thank you for the encouraging words

and thank you for your service.

[WatchWhatISay]

89. So glad you made it back safely

Would love to know more about you. How old are you? How did you come to join the military? Are you getting the things you need now to help you adjust back to civilian life?

I have been looking up pictures and stories of those who were killed in Iraq. Especially the ones who were just teenagers. Have several of their pictures on my desktop. There are just so many of them. I guess I did this mainly for my 17 year old daughter to see and think about, but it sure tears at my heart as well.

So many of the stories talk about how the person loved being in the military, and protecting our country. And they died doing what they loved. I know that must be true for some, but I think they all know that there is another reality that is just too painful to acknowledge, and that is the futility of it all, and the missed opportunities.

[G_j]

90. friend, you are the link

some of us felt it in our bones, a great and terrible trepidation.
a deadly, sickening foreboding
but you are the link, you were there
you saw it, lived it
we struggle together to appeal to, to plead with,
the better angels of
our fellow human beings

[Nothing Without Hope]

91. Welcome to you with all my heart. Here you are among people who

respect your experiences and the fact that you have grown beyond them. I truly believe that the corrupt leadership of the Bush cartel stole our country and is in the process of being found out at last. We are NOT helpless. We are a strong and growing community, and we stand TOGETHER.

And, contrary to what the GOP say, we progressives are NOT against the troops. Far from it, we are the ones who are pushing for them and their families all the way.

Edited to add: One thing that moves the public toward acceptance of the truth is the passionat conviction of spokespeople who KNOW the truth. You are such a spokesperson and I have no doubt at all that you are making a difference with what you say.

[roguevalley]

92. We love you back. I am soooo very glad you are here. Hugs.

[eridani]

94. So, when are you running for public office?

We won't tolerate "Swift Boat" type assholes lying about you.

[madeline_con]

95. Great post!

Here's a welcome home parade. :)



:patriot: :loveya: :party: :applause: :toast:

[whatever4]

96. I want to thank YOU

For your bravery, then and now. Never give up, never surrender, never quit. We might be all F'ed up, but we're still Americans. No matter how much they pervert our legacy, it's still ours, that our forefathers and mothers fought for, with everything they had. We still have ourselves. We still have men like you. For that, I am thankful. Thank you. Thank you so very much. My heart bleeds for our military, for folks like you, people I used to work with every day, lived by in base housing, tech schools I went to, other parents at the base day cares and youth centers, friends I remember, so many people. Thank you so much for coming on this board. Thank you so much for what you say and what you're doing. Bless you and keep you, true patriot, true fighter for our freedoms. Bless you. Thank you.

[Cooley Hurd]

98. Thank you very much for your service and, especially, your candor!

What saddens me greatly is that there are thousands of service men and women like yourself that have been put in such an impossible position - and will have to carry the scars of this immoral and hopeless expedition for your lifetimes. I fucking HATE the Bush Cabal for what they've done to you all.:grr:

You, my friend, deserve this: :patriot:

[Dear Maggie]

99. Good people in both parties

Thank you for sharing. However, there are good people in both parties ... but taking an active part in politics can be a good outlet for one's beliefs!

I have been concerned about how many people are unsuspectedly poisoned in both military & non military settings. Did you see any 55 gallon barrels of Corexit sitting around in the Arms room?

These are some of the saddest stories I've heard ... of 3 soldiers who died AFTER return from service in Iraq: http://home.gci.net/~blessing/pages/soldiersdie.htm

and I have concern for Hillary & her staff, as well
http://home.gci.net/~blessing/pages/hillary.htm

My issue with 2-butoxyethanol poisoning is a non-partisan issue. It causes birth defects, I suspect, such as autism & many other autoimmune dysfunction problems http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3926805&mesg_id=3926955

[Caretha]

100. Salute!

Welcome home soldier. Glad you've joined the troops here on DU where the most important battle to fight remains. The one for the heart and soul of America. It is being fought daily so we can bring all the troops home and re-establish a true democratic government making it once again answerable to the people. Our children, grandchildren and all future generations are depending on us, and we can't let them down.

[Daphne08]

101. Welcome to DU, liberaliraqvet

:)

[Peace Patriot]

102. liberaliraqvet26, you say that you are "not the best writer." Not only is

that not true, it really doesn't matter. You were there. And you have the insight, the sensitivity and the desire to understand your experience and that of others, and to communicate it for the good of all. I urge you to write a book--a detailed personal account of the war, what you saw, what you did, and your personal transformation--how you came to understand the things that you understand now. And I urge you to write it now, while it is all still fresh in your mind. I think you have it in you to do this. And I think it would be an extraordinary help to other soldiers and to other Americans.

There are a couple of accounts of wars that have transformed human understanding of war. Most of them are fiction. Yours doesn't have to be, although it could be. You sound more intellectual and political, so maybe that should be your perspective--your personal political and intellectual transformation--rather than inventing character and story. Up to you. But if you want some inspiration, here's a reading list:

The Iliad, by Homer.
The Red Badge of Courage, by Stephen Crane.
All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque
War and Peace, by Tolsoi.
From Here to Eternity, by James Jones.
For Whom the Bell Tolls, by Ernest Hemingway.
A Farewell to Arms, by Ernest Hemingway.
The Vietnam Reader, by Stewart O'Nan (especially the essay, "How To Tell A True War Story," by Tim O'Brien)

----------

"They wrote in the old days that it is sweet and fitting to die for one's country. But in modern war there there is nothing sweet or fitting in your dying. You will die like a dog for no good reason."

Ernest Hemingway
Notes for the Next War (Esquire, 1935)

----------

liberaliraqvet26, thank you for your comments in this post. Courage is not just a matter of facing physical danger and death. It is equally--if not more than equally--a matter of facing life. Having intellectual courage and spiritual courage is often far more difficult than the courage needed on a physical battlefield. The courage to speak the truth. The courage to create. The courage to change. The courage to love.

I feel this courage in your words. I think you could write one hell of a good book about war and peace.

Many blessings upon you, whatever you do!

[movie_girl99]

103. that was an awesome letter

we're so glad you're here. It seems as though lately there have been quite a few soldiers posting on DU after coming back. DU can be a safe haven in many ways. The activism that goes on here is truly amazing....living in a red state, i seek refuge here daily. Welcome!!!!

[peacebuzzard]

104. Want to add my thanks. I have met several returning Iraq vets

and the one predominant trait I have observed is a focused observation skill, ready for action. I know you are worried about our friends still over there, and so are the many many DUers. This place here for me has been the best source of conglomerate information available. Thanks for your addition and comments, you are a terrific commentator and I will be looking for more posts from you. :patriot:
Thank you, again. I am so grateful for your safe return to the U.S., and welcome to the Democratic Party and to DU.

[AlamoDemoc]

105. Welcome aboard liberaliraqvet26

I am so glad you could join us, and hope to have you with us a long time. I also want you to know how very much we appreciate the work you, and many others do defending our country. Cheers!

[geckosfeet]

107. Thank you,,, for sweatin your a$$ off and doing what you had to

do to.

You have my apologies, as a citizen, that you had to endure that because we failed as voters and citizens to control the people we elected to lead our country.

[in_cog_ni_to]

108. Welcome to DU and thank you so much for your post

and for your service. I am so happy you came back alive to say what needs to be said.

You're a terrific writer and we are lucky to have you here at DU and welcome to the party!

Welcome! :hi:

[lonestarnot]

109. ewww liberaliraqvet26 glad you're home safe! Welcome to DU!

:D

[ernstbass]

110. Bless your heart

and thank you for the sacrifices you made in Iraq. I hope that you write as many editorials to newspapers as you possibly can because you have such credibility as a vet who has served over there.

[myrna minx]

111. You are a wonderful writer.

Thank you so much for your service to this wonderful country. We will never give up, especially knowing that there are folks like you in making sacrifices Iraq. We will always have your back. My best wishes to you, friend. :patriot:
http://www.optruth.org/main.cfm

[evolved Anarchopunk]

113. Wow, another DU success story,

you are a great writer, and sound like a Man with a good soul. Glad you got over feeling sorry for yourself but remember always that you were a victim and not one of the victimizers, i dont care what your actions were they came from you and your judgment at the time, and now that same judgment tells you that Bushco was full of shit from the start, you have nowhere to go but up! :7

You are more proof of what i believe, and that is only that people are capable of anything. Remain an individualist liberaliraqvet26, and you will continue to impress people with the balanced depth of your feelings. i know im impressed, by the time I wrote this this page already has 46 greatest votes! :wow::wow:



:dem:

[GOPFighter]

114. Thanks for speaking out

You did wonders for my morale today. I'm a vet and became a liberal while I was in the service. Thanks for serving our country. You are not responsible for the decisions our leaders made. Glad you made it back alive.

GOPFighter

[whatever4]

115. Isn't it nice that he can come here and get pages of support?

I had to mention that. Pages of support. Cool :)

And they say the left doesn't support the troops!

[Alizaryn]

116. I can't even begin to imagine what you and other's

went through in your travels but am glad you are back in one piece. As for your comment about not being proud of what you did in the desert, as far as I am concerned you HAVE to have been in a survival mentality to have gotten through, and NO ONE has the right to judge you.

Thank YOU!

[flpoljunkie]

117. Thank you for a very well written and informative post, liberaliraqvet26.

And for sharing your experience in Iraq and with the Kerry campaign. I hope everyone reads your post.

You are in a unique position to do some good for your fellow Iraq veterans and the American people, and you can continue to make a difference. Welcome to DU.

[One_of_8]

118. Thank you

First of all, thank you for your service to your country. I know it has changed you forever, and that you will always bear the weight of what you dealt with and faced over there.

Thank you for sharing your personal experience. My greatest frustration is not being able to trust news accounts of what is really going on in Iraq. First-hand accounts like yours are invaluable. I don't agree with this war on Iraq, but if we are sending soldiers over there, they should at the very least be well-equipped and provided for.

I'm glad you have made it home alive and are discharged. Peace be with you and I hope you will post here often.

[canadianbeaver]

120. You bring tears to my eyes......May you find peace.....n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

121. Welcome home soldier

welcome home

And you are not a bad writer... give voice to the many troops over there who you know don't have one...

Welcome home

[Lowell]

122. Welcome Home

Good writing. I was a Republican when I went to Nam. I've been a Democrat every since I returned. I know where you are coming from. Now together we can move a head.

Glad you made it home in one piece and I hope you never forget where you've been.

[Lannes]

123. Thankyou for your sacrifice and bravery

Hope you are doing well back home.

[tnlefty]

124. Thank you and take care of yourself!!!

peace :hi:

[barb162]

125. Were you there when things changed and by that I mean

when the reporters who would wander around freely in Baghdad started saying they needed bodyguards. When the mood of the Iraqis changed. DO you know why? It apparently happened in a very short time

Thank you so much.

[Bouncy Ball]

126. YOU ROCK.

Hey, thanks for your service. :hi:

[TheUnspeakable]

127. Thank you for your service and your post........

My darling niece's husband just got back from Iraq last April-I know he has been having some stress and insomnia-he thinks that he has to get out of town for the 4th of July because of the fireworks. When he was in Iraq for the election, he told his wife to vote for Bush because he said the guys over there felt they would be safer with him in office rather than Kerry. I said "doesn't he understand that the reason he's even over there is because of Bush?" but on Nov. 2nd my niece, my sister, and my brother-in-law all went to the polls and voted to re-elect this piece of crap. Needless to say, the subject of politics has been taboo at family gatherings. But I did notice one comment he made-I was toasting him and thanking him for his service on Memorial Day (of course the "family liberal" was the only one to think of it) and he raised his glass and said "bush sucks". Anyway the point of this post is that i have been worrying about him and thinking maybe I should tell him about DU and some other places on the web where he could get the truth, but I was afraid the truth might upset him even more, so I haven't. Your great (and very well written) post has convinced me to try to get him informed. THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much for posting and a BIG welcome to DU!!!!!!

[Rainscents]

128. Thank you for your service to country and also for the beautiful writing!

[dejaboutique]

129. Thank you so very much!

Thank you for the post and welcome. DU is such a mecca and I have found comfort here for years. Thank you for your service and I hope you can find peace from what you experienced and witnessed over there. Thank you again :)

[qanda]

130. For some reason

Your post made me cry. I cannot really explain it except to say that it's voices like yours that help keep me sane and so I guess I should say thanks to you.

[Shredr]

131. You're a true hero

Thanks for this post and all your work.

[mzmolly]

133. My goodness. Few post bring tears to my eyes. Another recommendation.

I am so glad that you found us. I am so glad you woke up. I think your statement was beautifully written.

Thank you for your service to our country. My apologies for the fact that America was mislead into this war, and for all that you have endured personally.

I look forward to hearing more from you in the future.

Edited to add: Welcome to the Democratic Party we are honored to have you among us.

:hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

134. What a beautiful post! And thank YOU!

Thank you so much for saying exactly what needs to be said. There are very few here who don't completely agree with your views. And thank you for seeing the light and for your hard work for Senator Kerry. I just wish so much that you had found us before the election. I came late to politics, as well (after 9/11), and DU has also taught me so much and I don't think that I would have survived the election without it. And, most of all, thank you for your sacrifice and serving our country. It must have been hell. The republicans like to say that we liberals don't support the troops. However, exactly the opposite is true. It's because we care so very much that we become angry when our brave service people aren't given what they need to do such a dangerous job and that they're being placed in harm's way based on lies.:grr:

Thank you so much for sharing your incredible story and welcome to DU, liberaliraqvet26! We're honored to have you with us!
:yourock:

[I Have A Dream]

135. Thank you so much for your post. Although you went through...

Hell and have seen Hell, you've been strengthened because you got through it with your sanity and your humanity.

I hope that you're able to take all of the strength that you gained through this experience and use it to make sure that things like this never happen again. YOU are the person that conservative people will listen to. You have real power and you CAN change the world.

Again, thank you for your heart and spirit.

[nuxvomica]

136. Thank you, sir

For your service, for your honesty, for your positive comments about DU and for the clarity of your discourse. You may not be proud of some things but I think we can be proud of you. I suspect that Smedley Butler would've been proud of what you just wrote. :thumbsup:

[Moochy]

137. Thank you!

For your sacrifice, bravery and your courage.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

138. Welcome back. And thanks for the shot in the arm for the rest of us.

[Raksha]

139. Welcome home, and thank you for your service and your courage.

I first saw this note Friday night but for some reason didn't reply to it at the time.

I'm kicking it back to the front page tonight for a very specific reason. On another forum, and out of the mouths of certain Republican politicians, I'm already beginning to hear the rhetoric of Vietnam-style revisionism with regard to Iraq. Typical blame-the-liberals type stuff. They are going to say, and are already starting to say, that it's the fault of the liberals that we didn't "win in Iraq" because we didn't support the troops, just like it's our fault we didn't "win in Vietnam." I have no doubt whatsoever that within the year, they are going to start accusing us of spitting on returning Iraq veterans.

I read through many of the replies on this thread and didn't see a single one that wasn't supportive, even though you were in Abu Ghraib and Camp Bucca and no doubt witnessed abuses like the ones we've been hearing about. So I'm saving this entire thread, as documentation against the revisionism they've already started pulling on us.

[Roxy66]

140. My eyes are welling up right now......I am so glad you made it back home

I'm sorry that so many of your military family have not. It makes me so sad that our kids are over there...but we will bring them home. We really do love you and all of our soldiers.:grouphug: