Heartbreaking-A recent and frank exchange with a member of the military

[kpete]

Blog for America
From the Comments
Written by: DFA Staff on Jul 8, 2008 4:46 PM

Longtime Blog for America member and delegate to the Democratic National Convention linda b writes about a recent and frank exchange with a member of the military:

- Heartbreaking.......... By linda b on Jul 8, 2008 3:48 PM

This a.m. I went to Chick Fil A to get a sandwich. I decided to go inside and have a quiet lunch.
I was sitting there and just thinking much about nothing.

I looked up and at the next table across from me was a soldier in fatigues just looking kind of forlorn. I wanted to say something but didn't want to interupt his thoughts.

I said to him, "so how are you doing today??" He said " I am at a bad place". I asked "why?"

He said he is supposed to retire in October with 20 years and now the army has said he has to stay in and go back to Iraq. If he doesn't he can be jailed. He looked so forlorn.

I just listened and did not make any statements

This is what he told me:

- the military is just about numbers, and "bodies"

-that he was supposed to get married but doesn't want a relationship where he may not come back alive

-he said if he had been offered a promotion or more money, it would have made some difference but the military says, you stay and tough luck

- most of his unit wants a big change in this country and bush is mostly disliked by all his men.

- they have no idea why they are in Iraq and just want out.

- most of the new recruits have no education just want to go over and kill people.

........................

- I tried to keep my cool and just listen. he said thanks for caring.

- I went to my car and cried.

sorry to insert this in the thread but it was too much for me not to tell you all

http://democracyforamerica.com/blog_posts/25856-from-the-comments

[hobbit709]

1. That bastard in the WH has

completely broken our military-physically, mentally and emotionally.
I can't think of a hell bad enough for him and his cohorts.

[Xenotime]

2. How sad. * has broken the spirit of the soldier. * sleeps well knowing that.

[defendandprotect]

3. We have to find some way to break the back of violence ---

We have to understand that there is nothing natural about violence ---

that we teach men to be violent ---

And the brutality and violence in this war is probably the worst since the Inquisition!

We cannot expect our military and young people to endure these conditions and retain

their sanity.

We had two years to impeach Bush for what he has done ---

The Democrats have supported this war for two years now ---

and its disgusting ---

[stillcool]

5. and most of them will be coming home..

broken. I know the effect war has had on my life, and I can't help but wonder how much WWI, WWII, Vietnam and the Gulf War have affected our society, in all kinds of ways. I have had some problems because of violence in my childhood. But when I think of living in the strange environment of a war zone, for a year or more, with bombs and body parts I just can't imagine how anyone comes out unscathed. And how wide is the ripple effect of each and every life that suffers from the emotional trauma of war?

[defendandprotect]

9. I think what we understand intuitively is the great truth . . .

that life is about pleasure ---

and that when we commit violence we do harm to ourselves --- and not just minimal harm ---

but great harm.

Most Americans have been lucky enough that we have never had to -- thus far --- experience

being bombed or living in a war zone. Sadly, we have inflicted great harm on others,

however. How would we begin to atone for the damage we have done in Iraq?

And how little concern our leaders have even for the deaths of the children there.


If violence continues to be the method of "winning" we will soon perish ---

[Maat]

4. Oh, this is SO sad.

He is in our family's thoughts and prayers.

I continue to go to my peace vigil and write my Congressperson - every week.

On edit:
I have a Master's in Psych. - and the poster above is correct; violence is NOT natural. That's a myth. Cooperation and peace are natural - unless you horrifyingly HABITUATE a person to violence (systematically).

[EbenezerMcIntosh]

6. Can you spell TYRANNY?

NT

[givemebackmycountry]

7. Front page for this heartbreaking exchange..

kicked and all of that stuff

[HughMoran]

8. Bush can't be gone fast enough

Most hated President ever.

[Super Soaker Sniper]

10. Right now I have

a son serving his third and last tour in Iraq. My family has a lengthy and proud tradition of military service since the Texas War of Independence. We even had ancestors serve on opposite sides of the Civil War. Yet for all of my family's military history. My son is the first one to ever serve as an officer and is now a Captain and Company Commander.

He is not the only one to have served in Iraq. My brother and his son both served there. My brother retired as a First Sergeant last year.

I do not know why, but all members of my family have served with no ill effects, though my brother was wounded twice by IEDs. It could be because like in some families where college is mandatory, military service is pretty much mandatory in mine. I cannot think of a single male in my family who is not a veteran or serving. Even most of the females have served. For some reason, the Navy has been the service of choice for most of the women in my famiy.

We all grew up knowing we would someday enlist and were pretty much resigned to it by junior high. I guess that has helped us serve in the best and worst of times with no lasting effects.

[Mythsaje]

11. That's why I want to tell kids

"under NO circumstances should you consider joining the military. It used to be they honored their contracts, now they've decided that once you sign on the dotted line, you're their property as long as they want you."