I just got home from Iraq....

[The Sad Little Pony]

As some may recall, I was mobilized and sent to Iraq (Fallujah and West Anbar) for the past 8 months.
It was interesting, to say the least.

I served as an advisor to an Iraqi Army Battlaion, as both the infantry advisor and an intelligence advisor.

Does anyone have any questions about my tour/what it's like/etc.?

I just got home on Friday. (saw my 7 month old son for the first time).

[wicket]

1. Welcome back!!!

Glad you made it home safe :hug:

And congrats on the birth of your son!!! :D

[negativenihil]

2. Welcome Home!

Are you on leave, or are you home for good?

[FreedomAngel82]

3. First of all

thank you for going over there. :hug: Second, do you know if it's true that now there are none Iraq troops ready? I heard this on Stephanie Miller's show earlier. Did you find out any of the other troopers, Iraqi or American, feelings about everything going on now?

[FreedomAngel82]

5. And yes

congrats to the new baby! I'm glad you got to see him.

[The Sad Little Pony]

27. It's not true.

I'd say that about half of the Iraqi Battalions are ready to operate independently. Our Battalion (as did many other) had its own battlespace in Fallujah. They were very successful. With less support and assets, they managed to capture more "bad guys" than any of the Marine units of equal size (Companies).
They lack competent logistical support from higher, though. Much of that is due to corruption in the higher ranks of the Iraqi Army/MOD.

The attitude of the Iraqi army towards the current clashes, is pretty much "it's about time". They've sat back and absorbed so much Sunni perpetrated violence, that they are now just hitting back. Most of the so called "sectarian violence" has been one sided; coming from the Sunnis.

[Cooley Hurd]

40. Re: "'sectarian violence' has been one sided..."

Hasn't this changed in the last few days, given that al Sadr's Medhi Army has been engaging in attacks since the mosque bombing in Samarra?:shrug:

[The Sad Little Pony]

46. Not alot of "attacks".

Mostly showings of force.
"Occupying" of Sunni Mosques for their "protection".
That sort of thing.

[Cooley Hurd]

57. Thank you for your reply...

...and again, welcome home and congratulations on your new son!!!

[WilliamPitt]

41. The Zogby poll

A new Zogby International poll has 72% of the troops wanting out by year's end. 29% want immediate withdrawal. In your time there, did you get a sense as to whether or not these numbers are accurate?

Welcome back, by the way.

[Katherine Brengle]

51. This is more or less what my husband said as well--

First of all, welcome back. Glad to see that you are back in one piece and back with your family. Congratulations on the baby!

Anyway, I just wanted to say that my husband tells me many of the same things. He has met a lot of Iraqis while he has been in Fallujah and he says they are all pretty supportive of our guys who are there. I don't know if he has had a lot of contact with Iraqi military forces though, I think he meets mostly civilians.

I still don't approve of the war, and the death that it has caused, but sometimes I do believe that the press overblows the negatives. I don't know how I feel about that--part of me doesn't care because I want the war to end and whatever turns public opinion is okay, but mostly I'm just sick of the press sucking at its job.

When the war started, they covered it through rose-colored lenses, and now that some aspects are a little better, they're saying that it is worse... I don't know...

[Jara sang]

61. What unit were you with?

How do you know the disposition of the Iraqi Army? Do you speak arabic?

[The Sad Little Pony]

77. What unit?

Do you mean what Iraqi, or what American unit?

I was with one of the Marine MiTT units. (under RCT8)
Iraqi, I was with the 2nd Bn, 2nd Bde of the 1st Iraqi IIF division.

Na'am -a little.
My Arabee is Shway-shway. Though my Iraqi friends said that it's "coolish Zein"

[Jara sang]

93. How were you able to know the "attitude" of the Iraqi army?

If you don't speak arabic. Also, how were you aware of any corruption? Did you witness this corruption? Or did you "hear" about it in briefings and intelligence reports? In the form of what? Theft? Did you witness any atrocities perpetrated by U.S. contractors like MPRI, Dyncorp or Blackwater?

[The Sad Little Pony]

104. I speak enough.

Plus I had 'terps.
You try going on a couple hundred combat patrols with the Iraqis. You learn their attitude pretty fast.
The corruption is apparent in that there are "no show jobs". Ghost Iraqis. Their pay arrives in a giant sack. They have no electronic banking.
If this was so in the US, it would occur there, too.

As far as "atrocities" committed by the contractors, no.
Those guys are glorified security guards with very little contact with the populace. If they were to try to detain someone, they'd be hammered for it.
They didn't have the ass to come into our AO. -too dangerous.

[Jara sang]

108. So things are going swimmingly in Iraq?

And you have seen no evidence of an impending civil war? Just curious... why are you propagandizing this information on DU?

To the conservative fuck wads that are lurking here. First off let me say you are all cowards. Michelle Malkin is a racist bitch. Rush is a coward who did not serve in the military neither did that limp-dicked Sean Hannity. You people are the most pathetic excuses for human beings and you will have your day to answer for the atrocities and lies that you have perpetrated. You are all cowards. The entire planet despises your disgusting ilk and you will pay. I understand that as most of your parents were indeed siblings your inability to be decent human beings who contribute to society rests in your defective genes. Now you may return to your hate and racism. I once had a "Bad Cat" who would not behave. I put him down because he was diseased and I didn't give it a second thought. You inbred sacks of shit, return to your basements or holes or wherever you crawled from.

[specimenfred1984]

112. Because He's Still in the Military

He can't talk until he's out, at which point maybe he'll talk about torture, civilian killing, chemical weapons use, looting, corruption, imperialism, bigotry, abuse, intimidation, snipers, urban warfare, propaganda, etc...

It ain't going to happen now, he'd be court-martialed.

My only question is why'd he join in the 1st place? Was he aware of the illegitamacy of this fake war when he joined? Of course, that can't be answered either.

[alcibiades_mystery]

70. You make it sound like the Iraqi Army is all Shia and Kurds

Hardly sounds like a way to run a country...

[The Sad Little Pony]

79. It will balance out.

...over time.

People are actually paying bribes to get in the army.

[alcibiades_mystery]

96. Sure it will

Welcome back, but forgive me if I don't take your experience as definitive.

Best to you and your family.

[Rose Siding]

71. So the Pentagon is painting a picture that's bleaker than the reality?

First welcome home and congrats on the baby :)

This is from an AP report last week:

WASHINGTON — The number of Iraqi army battalions judged by their American trainers to be capable of fighting the insurgency without U.S. help has slipped from one to none since September, Pentagon officials said Friday.

http://www.oudaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/02/26/44026f0e323fc

When they capture "bad guys", what happens? Is it always a result of information from informants?

And does the Iraqi army view the extremist attacks generally as "Sunni perpetrated violence"? That would not bode well for a significant minority of the population.

Thanks for any insights

[The Sad Little Pony]

81. Semantics.

It's the lack of logistics that holds them back, and the constantly changing metric by which they are judged.

[bigtree]

95. Most of the so called "sectarian violence" has been one sided

that's funny, considering all of the forces that the Shiite-dominated authority have behind them. You mean to tell that all of those anti-insurgent raids I've been hearing about that involve U.S. and Iraqi troops aren't another side of the violence? Isn't the new authority's military force just another group of Iraqis warring with other Iraqis?

I would consider all of the violence our troops have inflicted on the Iraqis as provocation enough, especially when coupled with the military support and assistance we are giving the new authority's regime.

How do you, as an American, judge and distinguish between the warring groups? Do you support the the new regime because there have been elections, or is there something fundamentally correct about them that they deserve your support?

Is any resistance to the new authority justified? Why do you feel Americans should be the ones to sort all of that out, fighting, killing, and dying for the ruling authority, one 'sect' of a disparate population of sects and factions?

[Nickster]

4. Congrats on the bambino and welcome home. Hope you stay for a long time.

[leftchick]

6. welcome back!

First, how are you doing? I hope all is well and kiss that baby!

[Just Me]

105. Ditto. Question: have neocons deviated from plan for permanent military,.

,...presence in Iraq? Also, do they still plan to spread the war to Iran and/or Syria?

[deadparrot]

7. I'm so glad to hear that, TSLP.

:hug:

No questions here...just very glad to have you back. Have fun with the baby!

:patriot:

[Skidmore]

8. Welcome home! I would be happy to hear what you

have to say about your tour and any thoughts you have about the war in general. I'm glad you made it home safely and have gotten to meet your little son. I hope you don't ever have to go back over there and all your fellow soldiers can come home too--safely.

[meganmonkey]

9. WELCOME BACK!!!

I remember your good-bye thread! I am so glad you made it home safe (and hopefully sound!).

Congrats on your little boy!

:hug:

No questions at this time....

[Greeby]

10. This calls for some group action

:grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug:

[Coexist]

11. Welcome Home! and Congratulations on your union with your baby

was it a girl or a boy?

[The Sad Little Pony]

32. Boy.

A big boy.

[Tim4319]

12. First of all, welcome back!

Thank you for all that you have done.

I have a cousin over there, were, I haven't a clue. My question is, how is troop morale?

[LiberalEsto]

13. Welcome home!

Congratulations on your new son.
And thank you.

[NMDemDist2]

14. welcome home!

are the wheels coming off?

I notice US casualties are dropping steadily the past few months, are things getting better or are our guys just keeping their heads down better?

so glad you are home and safe! :hug:

[PuraVidaDreamin]

15. Welcome

So how are the troops general moral?
and a recent poll taken of the troops suggested
that a majority feel they should get out of Iraq
in a year or less- Do you find this poll has credence?

Have fun with your son!

[The Sad Little Pony]

49. Moral is high.

At least amongst those of us who were out there in the midst of things.
I can't speak for that of the bored support personnel stuck on the FOBs.

[Maggie_May]

16. Welcome Home!!!

I only have one question about Iraq should would we stay or should we go?

[The Sad Little Pony]

60. Stay for now.

-my humble opinion.

Leave when the Brigades can operate on their own.
If we leave now, there will be a bloodbath.
NOT a "civil war". But a brutal attempt to destroy the insurgency.

The Iraqis know who controls and supports the insurgency. They will simply kill those people when we leave.
(The Sheiks and Imams who the US know about, but only have single source evidence against)

[Maggie_May]

68. Thanks

Next question are Brigades fighting for there democracy or just picking up a pay check. I guess what I am saying is training them a waste of time and money. Do you know what the real count of Iraqis trained.

[The Sad Little Pony]

84. Everyone serves for a reason...

some the cash, some the ideal.

[Leopolds Ghost]

97. The ideal?

What I would like to know is will the ideal protect the rights of Assyrian and other Christians (and Jews) that they had under Saddam Hussein? Will the ideal protect the Kurds right to self-determination?

Will the ideal prohibit torture and the death penalty, or will the Brigades stand by while the insurgency is "brutally crushed" when we are gone? Will the Shiites refrain from attacking the US if we decide to stay once the insurgeny has been brutally crushed by a victorious, Iran-aligned, right wing Shiite regime?

That guy in the seersucker suit who ran against Jaafari, described as the "Secularist" leader of Al-Hakim's Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq -- is he (the slimy looking three-piece-suit "secularist" who ran against Jaafari) as "CIA" as he looks to my non-discerning eyes?

Don't worry if you can't answer some of these questions to my satisfaction. ;-)

[Kadie]

17. Welcome Home!

:hi:

[Obamarama]

18. What the HELL are you doing on DU???

Go heap some love on your wife and play with your new son, soldier! Make up for that lost time. THEN come back and let us know about your experiences in Iraq! :-) :-) :-)

Glad you are back home, safe and sound where you belong, man! Thanks for your service, and you KNOW we're all here for you for whatever you need.

Your post made my day. :-)

[Katherine Brengle]

53. ROFL!!!

Totally NOT what I thought it would be---:rofl:

[carolinalady]

19. Welcome home-What do the soldiers really think about Bush?

[The Sad Little Pony]

39. We don't discuss it.

It's simply unprofessional (as a Marine) to discuss politics with the troops.
Especially whether one likes or dislikes a certain politician. (unless they say something particularly stupid).

[Minnesota Libra]

20. WELCOME HOME MY FRIEND and please........

.....tell us anything and everything you can think of - little big doesn't matter. Also, how close is Iraq to an all out civil war? Does anyone over there like Bush? What is the average US sentiment about Bush? OMG, there's so much more but that will do for now to give us a beginning picture of what the real situation is.

Thanks for your service and be sure to tell us all about the little one. :bounce:

edited: BTW, Welcome to DU, hope you like it here as much as the rest of us do. :hug:

[Viva_La_Revolution]

21. WELCOME HOME!!

How many hours to you have for questions? :P

[sabra]

22. Good to see you...

peace.

[warrens]

23. Is the Iraqi Army capable?

If so, can we get the heck out of there?

And, welcome home! It must have been amazing to see your kid.

[Texasgal]

24. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

I am glad that you are home alive and well! :patriot:

[wryter2000]

25. Welcome back

:bounce: I don't know what to ask. I'll just listen. :)

[GetTheRightVote]

26. Welcome home to your new little man !!! I hope he is healthy & well.

It would be nice to know more about how the troops are doing and any real experiences you may be able to share with us.

:kick:

[Warpy]

28. Welcome back

and I hope you don't ever have to go back there again.

We'd all love to hear your impressions, but be careful. You know this board is monitored.

[donsu]

29. glad you made it back - have you been tested for DU poisoning?

nt

[The Sad Little Pony]

42. Don't believe the hype.

Heh, heh... "DU poisoning".

[Viva_La_Revolution]

58. Please, don't dismiss the science...

I know they told you guys it was all bunk, but that's what they said about Agent Orange and Gulf War Syndrome too.

[The Sad Little Pony]

64. We're on top of it...

All of the "DU" issues, as well as any chem/bio ones, as well.

It's just not as wide spread as some believe.

[donsu]

66. you have been deceived

nt

[The Sad Little Pony]

85. And you know this...

...because you have been let in the the secret?

You must feel very special.

[Stephanie]

99. You know, they lied to the WTC rescue workers too.

This is something you should be aware of, as the father of an infant.

Welcome home! I wish you the best.

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/04/05/1356248

A special investigation by Democracy Now! co-host Juan Gonzalez of the New York Daily News has found four of nine soldiers of the 442nd Military Police Company of the New York Army National Guard returning from Iraq tested positive for depleted uranium contamination. They are the first confirmed cases of inhaled depleted uranium exposure from the current Iraq conflict.

After repeatedly being denied testing for depleted uranium from Army doctors, the soldiers contacted The News who paid to have them tested as part of their investigation.

Testing for uranium isotopes in 24 hours' worth of urine samples can cost as much as $1,000 each.

In a Democracy Now! broadcast exclusive, three of the contaminated soldiers speak out.

Army officials at Fort Dix and Walter Reed Army Medical Center are now rushing to test all returning members of the 442nd. More than a dozen members are back in the U.S. but the rest of the company, mostly comprised of New York City cops, firefighters and correction officers, is not due to return from Iraq until later this month.

[donsu]

113. you are making yourself look stupid - learn the truth of DU poisoning

nt

[Name removed]

63. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[converted_democrat]

82. Either someone is lying to you, or you aren't getting the whole story..

There were 8 patients at Moffitt Cancer Center the last time I was there..(That I know of.) I talked to a wife of a guy that had been in Kabul, and her husband was 28 and he had a brain tumor.. (She was the only one I personally spoke to, but the other women raised their hands when she asked who all was there that was in the same boat she was.) She claimed that there were at least 50 people that she knew of that had come back with cancer, or other symptoms.. I have to go to Moffitt alot because my FIL is in a experimental program there.. The wives and mothers are always out smoking cigarettes while their husbands and sons (from what I've seen the average age is like 28 or 29)are in getting their treatment talking shit about the administration..(And I don't blame them a bit.) Someone isn't telling you the truth and for your sake and your families you may want to get checked..

BTW, I've written about it several times here on DU because I started noticing about 5 months ago that there were so many service men showing up to Moffitt with weird forms of cancer.. When I go out to smoke there is always someone out there to talk to about it..

[The Sad Little Pony]

90. No one's lying to me.

No one has mentioned it at all.
We check the box if we've been exposed, no, if we have not.
Period.
Grunts don't encounter it, because we don't use it.
There haven't been many Anti Tank rounds fired since the push.

[converted_democrat]

94. Well you seem to be under the impression that it's "hype" and that

clearly isn't the case..

on edit- The women that I spoke to said that they had not yet admitted to her that her hubby had been exposed..


on 2nd edit- For the sake of your family I'd look into it if I were you..

[RufusEarl]

30. Me too, welcome home!!

[LibertyLover]

31. Thank you for your service and welcome back

Welcome home! And congratulations on your son - may he grow up to be as fine and honorable person as you are. I do have a question, if you don't mind. Do you know how the major archaeological sites are doing? Are we trying to protect them from looting? Many thanks.

[Cooley Hurd]

33. First and foremost: WELCOME HOME!!!!

:patriot:

Congratulations on the birth of your new son!:toast:

No questions, just very happy to hear you're home, safe and sound!!!:thumbsup:

[sinkingfeeling]

34. Welcome Back...there's alot to catch up on after 8 months!

[specimenfred1984]

35. No Questions You Could Answer

without getting into a whole shtload of trouble here in this "free country". When you are out of the military, come back and talk then.

You have my condolences for going to Fallujah, I'm sure that sucked beyond belief.

[The Sad Little Pony]

56. I can answer all questions.

I just might not give you the answers you are looking for.
My view over there was pretty mypoic. I was in Fallujah, and elsewhere in Anbar.

I found Fallujah to be a very interesting city. Now that I'm home, I'm going to study the ancient history.

It did not "suck beyond belief". It was dangerous. I saw unpleasant things.
But I also saw inspiring acts. Lives saved.
The little girls are the cutest, brightest things on this planet.
Their future in that Wahabi Town is not promising, though.

[specimenfred1984]

92. OK, Are You One of the 85% Who Believes This?

--- While 85% said the U.S. mission is mainly “to retaliate for Saddam’s role in the 9-11 attacks,” 77% said they also believe the main or a major reason for the war was “to stop Saddam from protecting al Qaeda in Iraq.” ---

http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1075


And, could you comment on the accuracy of this poll, specifically answering this: Are 85% of the troops in Iraq either that stupid or brainwashed?

[grassfed]

106. Col. Bogdanos & Iraqi history

Some sites that may interest you:


Col. Matthew Bogdanos, 2005 National Humanities Medalist: http://www.archaeology.org/0401/etc/conversations.html
"Reading Homer's Iliad at age twelve sparked a lifelong passion for the classics in Matthew Bogdanos, and led to his latest venture – retrieving antiquities looted from the Iraq National Museum during the early days of the U.S. invasion."


IraqCrisis: https://listhost.uchicago.edu/mailman/listinfo/iraqcrisis
A moderated list for communicating substantive information on cultural property damaged, destroyed or lost from Libraries and Museums in Iraq during and after the war in April 2003, and on the worldwide response to the crisis.


Iraqi Libraries Network: http://iraklib.ub.uni-bielefeld.de/
This site has been created by Iraqi librarians for Iraqi librarians in an effort to help Iraqi academic and scientific community.


The Iraq War & Archaeology Documentation and Information Project: http://iwa.univie.ac.at/

Your comment about the Iraqi girls really got to me. Thanks and welcome back.

[stop the bleeding]

36. Welcome home

how was it?

[npincus]

37. Thank you for your service

http://www.zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1075

and welcome home! i have the greatest respect and admiration for all of our soldiers over there.

here's my question: a new Zogby poll states:


Le Moyne College/Zogby Poll shows just one in five troops want to heed Bush call to stay “as long as they are needed”
While 58% say mission is clear, 42% say U.S. role is hazy

Plurality believes Iraqi insurgents are mostly homegrown

Almost 90% think war is retaliation for Saddam’s role in 9/11, most don’t blame Iraqi public for insurgent attacks
Majority of troops oppose use of harsh prisoner interrogation

Plurality of troops pleased with their armor and equipment

An overwhelming majority of 72% of American troops serving in Iraq think the U.S. should exit the country within the next year, and nearly one in four say the troops should leave immediately, a new Le Moyne College/Zogby International survey shows.


QUESTION: Do these findings reflect how the soldiers you met over there feel, by and large? Do they still believe in a Sadaam- 9/11 connection? How do they feel about the Bush admin pushing for the UAE port deal?

So many questions! I hope you and your family are enjoying your reunion!

[renate]

38. welcome home!

:patriot:
:hug:
:party:
:grouphug:
:woohoo:
:bounce:

I'm so glad you're home safely. You must be so overjoyed to finally be able to play with your little boy! Congratulations!

[bigtree]

43. Is there a garrison where these batallions are housed?

Or, do they band together everyday from their homes?

How are they enlisted? Is it a formal process, or do they just show up, are given provisions and assigned?

How much training do they get before they are supplied with a weapon and sent on missions?

Did you direct any of your trainees into any active combat?

What is the turnover/retention rate?

Did you consider yourself to be operating on one side of a sectarian war? Any thoughts about your role in propping up the new Iraqi regime?

Any thoughts about the new Iraqi authority you helped defend?


I'm very happy that you made it back. Welcome home.

edit: What are you painting?

[classof56]

44. I'm so glad you're home safe and sound. Congrats on the baby!

Just read an article about a soldier who returned from Iraq after serving a year there working on computers. Didn't see combat, but says the guys who did are well cared for and he liked the fact that there was a Burger King and a Taco Bell at his station.

Hope things went that well for you.

Blessings.

[The Sad Little Pony]

59. I had no BK...

That's for sure.
I lived IN Fallujah. I had Iraqi neighbors who I could wave to.
I ate the Iraqi food. Their produce is AWESOME.
The garbage fed sheep leave a bit to be desired.

[unhappycamper]

45. Welcome home, Brother.

Decompress. Chill. Enjoy. It's nice to get back to The Land of Round Doorknobs.

[Catherine Vincent]

47. That's sweet of you to take the time to log into DU

to let us know you're back. Welcome back and glad you got home safely. Congrats on your new son!

[Arkansas Granny]

48. Welcome home! Glad you made it back safe to see your son.

:hi:

[helderheid]

50. So glad you're home safe and congratulations on your son!

[kentuck]

52. Good to see you back....

A fresh perspective will be good.

[democrank]

54. Welcome home.

Seeing your new son for the first time must have been a wonderful experience. Take care.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

55. Welcome back!

We're all proud of you! And congrats on the little one.

(Ummm, there's been a bit of fascism here while you were gone . . .)

[AnneD]

62. My my...I remember when you posted about your call up....

A big hearted hug and thank you. Agree with the poster that said get off DU and love on your wife and baby.

If I might suggest, do several posts on your experiences. We really get no news from the field so what ever/whenever you post will be appreciated.

My worries...our guys don't get what they need now and after they come home, Iraq may be on it's way to civil war and our guys will be trapped in the center. Do the guys understand that those that protest the war really support the troops (we are so proud of them)-not the war, and want to see them home yesterday. What odds do you give a secular Iraq government to survive. How are the Iraqi people doing? Life must be so difficult.

[madokie]

65. Welcome back and welcome to DU

As much as you will let yourself tell us. Just start making posts telling what it was like, the day to day, you know like little short stories. Thats what I would like to read not so much as answers to questions. Your personal experiences, your thoughts before, during and after, the emotional ups and downs, your questions. May you forever be blessed in whatever you endeavor. Thanks for your Service. We are trying to make the world a better place for all the sons and daughters.

[The Witch]

67. Welcome home!!!!

Please feel free to tell us what it was like for you... but first know that we're all glad you're safe and home and with your family -- now go be with them!

[sendero]

69. Welcome home...

.... thanks for your service and congratulations on your new family member!

[stanwyck]

72. Today is happier for all of us

here at your DU family.
Congratulations on your safe return, your new son, and your service to America.

[phusion]

73. Did you see burned civilians?

From the white phosphorus that was used? IIRC, some Italians did a documentary on this a few months ago and it was horrible.

[The Sad Little Pony]

87. No.

Not in Fallujah.
I've never heard of WP being used too extensively, except to mark targets.

[bunkerbuster1]

74. Are you running for office?

Just kidding. (Well, partly, it'd be swell if you were.)

Welcome back, glad you're safe, congrats on your son, and thank you for your service.

I try to think about the troops serving there every day. To remind me, on my cube wall is this wartime prayer that Eleanor Roosevelt is said to have carried with her throughout WWII:

Dear Lord,

Lest I continue
My complacent way,
Help me to remember that somewhere,
Somehow out there
A man died for me today.
As long as there be war,
I then must
Ask and answer
Am I worth dying for?

[dogday]

75. Welcome home .....

Enjoy and hold your son. My only son is in Tikrit. He is doing a year over there. I asked him what the food was like, but they can't have it. He said they are not allowed to eat the local food or drink the water.

[benburch]

76. Welcome back! I am so glad you are safe!

:patriot:

What surprised you most?

What upset you most?

[LA lady]

78. So Pleased

I am so glad you are home safe! I hope you can be a happy little pony now!

Enjoy your baby and thank you for your service.

I send care packages to remote units, any suggestions? They are so sweet and hate to ask for anything.
Glad you are back.

[Dinger]

80. So Glad You Are Back. Thank You For Your Service

Well, I'll ask . . . .

What do the REAL soldiers think of bu$h? How free are you to talk to each other, freely?
Did you ever get letters from school children? (I'm a teacher, and my class writes to soldiers regularly).

[foreverdem]

83. Welcome home!

Welcome back! Congrats on your son, and thank you for your service!

[mdmc]

86. welcome home!

no questions yet, but please post again!:kick:

[ThomCat]

88. Welcome back.

No questions at the moment ('cause it's crazy here at work) but welcome back.

I hope you are well.

[notadmblnd]

89. Welcome home and

Thank you

[KitchenWitch]

91. Welcome home and thank you for your sacrifice

It must have been very difficult to know your wife was delivering your son and you could not be there.

:patriot:

[nomo]

98. Thanks?

Hmmm. We should be thankful to someone who served on a mission we disapprove of? I'm happy you got back in one piece dude, but forgive me for not exactly feeling like I want to unfurl the flag.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

102. bugger off, we support our troops, they don't get to choose their mission

the evil chimp does that.

[Leopolds Ghost]

111. The OP supports the mission... are you opposed to the war or something?

Just askin'.

:evilfrown:

[Stephanie]

103. Who's this "we" you speak of?

[Leopolds Ghost]

115. We can be thankful for his bravery tho I may disapprove of his orders.

Although "thankful for" might not be the word for a religious pacifist such as myself...

If I were over there, my aim would be to see me and my comrades out of harm's way. In Vietnam, veterans were allowed to return after the war was over... I wonder if US vets will ever be able to travel Iraq again, especially if things get hot with Iran.

[nini]

100. Why is your profile disabled?

I don't know why but I'm a bit suspicious about all this.



Just sayin'...

[lukasahero]

109. Profile has a tombstone now

Not sure what happened there...

[npincus]

114. don't mods give those to trolls?

but, in that case, wouldn't this thread have been locked by now?

[bigtree]

117. disrupted

poorly

[LSK]

110. i got that feeling too...

[Radio_Guy]

101. Thank you for your service

From reading this thread, it is obvious you are supposed to paint a prettier picture than what is actually happening over there. I also would love to hear the real story once you have left the military. Thanks again and may all your comrades-in-arms return home safe and soon.

[Jara sang]

107. What are the troops feelings about President Bush?

Sorry to break up this lovefest. What are your feelings about Bush? Have you witnessed any atrocities perpetrated by American soldiers? Are there any atrocities being perpetrated by American soldiers?

[MellowOne]

116. Welcome home!

Congratulations on the new son, and so happy you are safe with your family!

[Jara sang]

118. This entire thread is being broadcast verbatim at the "sack of shit" site.

Well, not verbatim, they like to throw in their lies and vitriol. Hey! Inbred conservatives! "vitriol" is corrosive acid made from sulfur dioxide, as in that shit that spews from your asses, I mean mouths, you know what? They are the same fucking thing. You limp-dick, incestuous, disease ridden, piles of shit.

[Avalux]

119. Locking.

This member is no longer able to respond to replies.