A distant war comes home to America

[babylonsister]

A distant war comes home to America
By David Goldstein | McClatchy Newspapers

* Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2007


Editor's note: Twenty percent of the U.S. troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan come from the Army National Guard. Many are from small towns, and go to war alongside family and friends. This is Part One of a four-part story about one of those units, Bravo Battery of the Kansas National Guard's 161st Field Artillery, and one night in Iraq that changed many lives.


The war in Iraq came home to Kathy Berry's front porch in south Wichita, Kan., one morning last winter.

It was just past 6 a.m. on Feb. 22, not quite dawn, when two soldiers in green dress uniforms stepped past the patriotic bunting that trimmed her home.

When the doorbell awakened her, Berry thought it was her son-in-law, who'd just left for work. He'd probably forgotten his keys. But when she opened the door, she felt a chill that had nothing to do with the early morning winter darkness.

Two solemn Army National Guard officers stepped inside.

"How bad?" she asked.

They hesitated. And Berry knew.

"There was a mortar attack," said one. "A response team was sent out, and there was one fatality."

Berry rocked slowly on the couch in her living room, her face in her hands, weeping uncontrollably.

more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/227/story/23174.html

[livvy]

1. I don't know how they do it. I was afraid just reading the article.

My stomach was all knotted up. They have my most sincere respect for their courage. I just wish they could all come home. No one should have to go through this nightmare, not the soldiers, their families, or the people of Iraq. It is just not acceptable.

Thanks for the post. I hope many, many read it. We need the reminders.

:pals:

[stellanoir]

2. This story inspired me to create a poll.

It's results really surprised me.

At this time 80 % of the responders personally know of people who have served, been wounded, or killed in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Conventional wisdom is that the percentage is reversed with the vast majority not knowing people who had served.

Bizarre.

on edit-

Whoops forgot the link.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2477446

[mdmc]

3. kick