I'm going to Iraq.

[Squatch]

Looks like I'll be coming down on orders to deploy to Iraq sometime this year. I'm feeling pretty conflicted right about now:

On one hand, this is my job, what I've trained for 10 years to do. I'll be deploying with some of the finest people I have ever known, so it'll be a pleasure to serve in harm's way with them.

On the other hand...well, you know. Is there anything that a person posting on DU needs to say about the negative aspects of the war in Iraq?

So, I'll try to feed information back to you all throughout the entire process/deployment without violating any operational security. There is a possibility (probably more than a possibility) that DU will be banned on DoD nets over there, so if a couple of you want to give me your e-mail addresses, I can send updates, pictures, etc.

Anyways, my fellow DUers, it's a shitty time to have given up drinking. I could sure use a beer right about now.

[EstimatedProphet]

1. Oh man. Stay safe.

I would happily buy a round if I could.

[ShortnFiery]

2. "DU will be banned on DoD nets"

That is so wrong!

I wish you and yours "the best" and to return to us soon. :hi:

[EdwardM]

83. Horrible indeed.

Squatch is an adult and should be able to go anywhere on the internet where he wants. I just can't believe that the military would censor the internet for the people who fight for our country. It is absolutely horrible, but I'm sure Rush's website isn't blocked. Oh well.

Squatch I wish you make it back soon and safely. Thank you for your service.

[treestar]

129. Anyone who is serving their country you would think could

go anywhere on the internet they wanted. On a free country, that is.

I wonder if Free Republic is in a similar ban? They better be.

[PresidentObama]

3. Best of luck.

:patriot: I appreciate your service!!

Please stay safe, and come back safely!

I'm incredibly sorry you and your fellow servicemen and women don't have the commander-in-chief you should. I hope we get it right next time, and help bring you boys home.

[MannyGoldstein]

4. God Speed

I am blown away by your sacrifice for us.

Be safe and successful.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

5. I hope this does not become a reality, but if so, be safe and

know that I wish you -- and all your fellow soldiers -- the very best of outcomes. Peace to you and yours.

[salin]

6. prayers for your safety

and to all of those with you - and to those that you protect (eg, non-insurgent Iraqis).

Wish it were different situation that you were facing. Best wishes to you, your family, your colleagues, and their families.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

7. Hey Squatch, stay safe!

I appreciate that this is your job, but if it were up to me you wouldn't be going. And everyone else would be coming back.

I imagine my nephew will end up going, too...he just joined up this year and keeps getting moved around.

I'll think of you. And while I have no idea why you gave up drinking, I'm sure it was for the best. Peace.

[Squatch]

10. Showing solidarity with my wife.

She's pregnant with #2, so I promised her that as long as she's pregnant, I'd lay off the beer. I have a feeling she might release me from that arrangement, tho. Wouldn't want to deny a condemned man his last beer and all that. (LOL)

[Solo_in_MD]

23. I assure you, you can get beer and other libations "over there"

BTDT

[janx]

27. One beer won't affect the fetus--let alone half a beer, so

maybe the two of you could share one good beer before you leave. Good luck and God bless you.

[druidity33]

94. and afterwards...

it's a fact that unfiltered wheatbeer (hefeweisen) helps in the production of breastmilk! Though she should stick to 1 bottle an evening...

[Pandrmn]

28. Congratulations and thank you for your service.

May God richly bless you and your family.

[The Doctor.]

132. I'm sure she'll let you have just *ONE*....

-Just ONE.

Besides, you're not 'condemned' in any contemporary sense.

[tblue37]

26. My nephew is scheduled to go in May (2nd tour), but I am hoping we will have started redeployment

by then.

[bdamomma]

8. oh god, please be safe.

this war is all so wrong. Stay safe.

[JohnnyLib2]

9. Stay well......

and thanks for the incredibly thoughtful offer to send back reports.

[upi402]

11. Ya know...

AA exists there. It would be a good place to clear one's head and get right -even if there is no alcoholic problem. Fellowship there is said to be good for the soul, and other living things.

[Squatch]

13. Not an alcoholic at all. Check post #10 in this thread

[Pithy Cherub]

12. All the Best to you

and may the Angels walk with you and protect all from harm. Godspeed to you and those with you on the journey! :hug:

[Squatch]

14. Thank you! I have a well-worn rosary

that got me through my worst times...it'll be making the journey with me.

[GuvWurld]

15. Sir! No Sir!

http://www.sirnosir.com/

In the 1960’s an anti-war movement emerged that altered the course of history. This movement didn’t take place on college campuses, but in barracks and on aircraft carriers. It flourished in army stockades, navy brigs and in the dingy towns that surround military bases. It penetrated elite military colleges like West Point. And it spread throughout the battlefields of Vietnam. It was a movement no one expected, least of all those in it. Hundreds went to prison and thousands into exile. And by 1971 it had, in the words of one colonel, infested the entire armed services. Yet today few people know about the GI movement against the war in Vietnam.

The Vietnam War has been the subject of hundreds of films, both fiction and non-fiction, but this story–the story of the rebellion of thousands of American soldiers against the war–has never been told in film.This is certainly not for lack of evidence. By the Pentagon’s own figures, 503,926 “incidents of desertion” occurred between 1966 and 1971; officers were being “fragged”(killed with fragmentation grenades by their own troops) at an alarming rate; and by 1971 entire units were refusing to go into battle in unprecedented numbers. In the course of a few short years, over 100 underground newspapers were published by soldiers around the world; local and national antiwar GI organizations were joined by thousands; thousands more demonstrated against the war at every major base in the world in 1970 and 1971, including in Vietnam itself; stockades and federal prisons were filling up with soldiers jailed for their opposition to the war and the military.

Yet few today know of these history-changing events.

Sir! No Sir! will change all that. The film does four things: 1) Brings to life the history of the GI movement through the stories of those who were part of it; 2) Reveals the explosion of defiance that the movement gave birth to with never-before-seen archival material; 3) Explores the profound impact that movement had on the military and the war itself; and 4) The feature, 90 minute version, also tells the story of how and why the GI Movement has been erased from the public memory.

MORE: http://www.sirnosir.com/the_film/synopsis.html

[Bonobo]

16. I don't pray, but I fervently hope you and your family stay well and sane.

Please protect your body AND your soul by trying not to become a monster in an environment that will fiercely test your ability to resist doing so.

Please protect your friends as well as trying to influence all by your good behavior.

Mostly, keep your head down.

Good luck and come back intact in body and mind!

[kitty1]

17. May God's angels watch over you; We all wish you well n/t

[Red_Viking]

18. Thanks for your service--

Stay safe, by all means, and come back to your family soon. My nephew is an Army Ranger and was in Germany, doing God-knows-what on missions into Afghanistan. He can't or won't talk about it; he just went back home to Houston a few months ago. He had to have some surgery and the Army sent him back. He also has a new baby.

We'll all be thinking of you, and every other member of the military who is overseas doing the heavy lifting. Your commitment humbles me. You, sir, are the real deal--a hero.

Peace,

RV

[Glorfindel]

19. I'm so sorry, and I wish you all the best

When I was in Vietnam, all those years ago, never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that another generation would be sent halfway around the world to fight another useless, stupid war. I'm sorry my generation failed you. PLEASE stay safe and come back whole.

[JohnnyLib2]

25. We didn't fail; BUSH did not learn from history.

It's an old, old story.

[frogcycle]

66. sadly

I have to differ.

bush is the guy whom the evil cabal running the country put in place to do their dirty work, with cheney as the puppetmaster.

"Our generation" which could and should have learned from VN to say "never again" was asleep at the switch as this cancer grew and grew throughout the succeeding decades, tolerating the insertion of a washed-up actor as president, then the insertion of a dry drunk failed businessman. Many of us read "1984" in high school, were warned of the emergence of "Big Brother", and we have sat back and let it happen. We may have waited past the tipping point. The coming months will tell.

[The_Casual_Observer]

20. Take care of you and the others. Come back safely & let us know how it was.

[jwirr]

21. Just stay safe and know that we do care about you and all the

others who have been sent over there.

[Dinger]

22. Be Safe And Well Squatch

And when you come back, let's have a cyber beer together!

Seriously, please take care and godspeed Squatch.:grouphug:

[karlrschneider]

24. Take care of yourself, sir. And know DU supports you and your buds.

If you care to make note, my email is [e-mail] and I'll be honored to pass along (or not as you wish) anything you wanna report.

:toast:

[Cabcere]

29. Echoing what others have said

Thank you so much for your service, Sir, and I really wish you and your fellow servicemen/women didn't have to go over to Iraq for this "president" and his petty vendettas - you deserve so much better. :patriot: Stay safe and well, and I'll be praying for you, your unit, and all of your families. :hug:

[Kurovski]

30. K&R.

Our best wishes to you.

[stillcool]

31. I know your username...

and feel a weird sense of familiarity with you. I would be happy to write letters, send stuff- whatever...anything that might lighten the load a little.

[libnnc]

32. Oh dammit. Please stay safe.

I'm just so pissed I can't see to type.

[az chela]

33. We need to end the war now!!!!!!!!!Then you wont have to worry

about going.Send bush and cheney instead

[I_Make_Mistakes]

34. I am sorry to hear about your call up, and will offer prayers for

you and your family.

On the beer side, I was on serious antibiotics for 9 months and abstained from the alcoholic beer, however, a friend suggested St. Paulie (sp?) Girl N/A, and it tasted really, really good! It ain't cheap and there is like .005% alcohol, but it fit the bill. You may wanna try it!

[deadparrot]

35. Good luck, Squatch.

Let us know ([e-mail]) if there's anything we can do (care packages, etc.). I'll pass along any requests, thoughts, etc.

[Tatiana]

36. God Bless.

I can't imagine what you and the wife are going through right now. But you have the strength and fortitude to make it through this fine. In the meantime, while you are serving overseas, many here will be working to bring you back home as soon as possible.

I will keep you in our family's prayers.

[roguevalley]

37. I am so sorry. Another person in my prayers, you are. Please take

care and know you are loved. God, this makes me sick.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

38. Please be careful, and thank you for your service.

[Nikki Stone1]

39. Yes, thank you

:kick:

[me b zola]

40. Godspeed

Our prayers and best wishes are with you.

[Orangepeel]

41. I'm so sorry you have to go. Please be safe.

:hug: :patriot: :hug:

[TheBaldyMan]

42. come back in one piece

[SeattleGirl]

43. Be safe, Squatch.

:hug:

[calimary]

44. Take care, please, and know that we're thinking about you and keeping

our fingers crossed and prayers in our hearts. Go safely and come home soon, well, sane, and whole.

[SanCristobal]

45. Good luck and stay safe!

To you and all like you.

[NavyDem]

46. Good Luck

and God Speed on a safe return. With any luck, DU will not be blocked for you. Last time I was deployed, we could still access through the DoD.

[Egalitarian]

47. Question?

What is your heart telling you?

[Recursion]

48. Watch your 6, bro

Your star IIRC means Army but I'll send whatever positive Corps vibes I can. If you ever meet up with 2nd Bn 5th Marines they're good guys and will take care of you.

Shit, I honestly don't know what to say. Take care of yourself and get you and your soldiers home. I'll be praying for you.

Semper fi (soldiers have earned that at this point)

[PerfectSage]

49. I'm Canadian and I'm proud to be an asshole :)

I'm far to cynical to give a flying fuck about serving my country('s mofo pos low iq politicians) It's a lot more fun to fuck the system up the ass than to be fucked up the ass by the system. ;)

Check this book out. Hopefully it'll help.
http://members.aol.com/posteritypress/crescent.htm

My many years in the Army have demonstrated that wherever confidence in NCO’s is lacking . . . you have . . . no really combat-worthy units.
Georgi K. Zhukov

If you don't know who Georgi Zhukov was, what does the US army teach you? How to be an inveterate ass kisser? I'm just cynical about the great infallible US army. ;) I certainly don't have much faith in the political leadership.

:beer: Lakeport Strong is what I'm drinking 5.9% alchol. :toast: $64k? when's the bull market gonna end? 2007 or 2008?

edit: read FMDM 1A 4th Gen Warfare, The US didn't learn guerilla warfare lessons from Viet Nam or Iraq Nam???????

http://www.d-n-i.net/index.html

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

88. Interesting read from d-n-i.net, thanks, k&r

I don't know how much of "Operation David" is real, and how much is just there to make a point. This is the first I heard of it (maybe my fault), and I'm always a little skeptical.

Written by Austro-Hungarian Marines? If they'd done "Operation David" a century ago in Serbia, maybe Gavrilo Princip would not have shot the bullet that created the major war history of the twentieth century (and beyond). Zhukov was just cleaning up some of Princip's mess.

I'm guessing that the esteemed General Zhukov would not have been comfortable administering an "Operation David" when he arrived in Berlin. "Operation Goliath" would be too wimpy for the good general. Of course, when 20 million or so of your countrymen have been killed, "mercy" is not high on your list of virtues.

Anyway, I highly K&R your link to the d-n-i.net article.

(and you're right. History of Germany's Eastern Front in WW2 is not widely taught by the US Army to the troops. Probably only to officers at War College or the Military Academies)

[NorthernSpy]

50. Oh, God... you take care, Squatch!

We'll be thinking of you. 'Cause we all want you back!

[fooj]

51. Take good care.

O8)

Our hearts are with you.

[Hekate]

52. Come home safely, Squatch. Give our best to the troops & tell them we're trying to get them all home

Best wishes to your wife too.

Hekate

[alteredstate]

53. My stepson just arrived in Baghdad with the 82nd Airborne

I wish you a safe deployment and I hope you both come home soon!

[Alamom]

54. Take care, Squatch..The same hope for all-already there & going. n/t

[BlueCollar]

55. Hey Squatch

My thoughts and wishes for your safe passage...

I PMd an e-mail address to you...let me know what I can do...if anything

[Festivito]

56. We'll continue to fight this war on the Congressional front.

We only seem to risk visits from propaganda-laden buffoons.

I wish you, your family, and our country all the best.

[TorchTheWitch]

57. Bless you, Squatch

Keep your head down, and stay safe.

I PM'd you my email address. Let me know of anything at all that you might need.

[democrank]

58. Thinking of you, Squatch.

Take good care.

[blondie58]

59. I wish that I could buy you that beer!

Oh, man- I am so sorry, but thank you. I know that it will not be an easy road. Please let us know if you need ANYTHING. And pass the news on to your wife also, I'm sure that there are enough of us here to help.

You'll be in our thoughts and prayers. Just know that you have many angels watching over you to make sure that you get home to your new baby in one piece.

[SalmonChantedEvening]

60. Be safe Squatch and know you are in all our thoughts

:patriot:

[Sailor for Warner]

61. Its not banned,

I was able to get on while over there, it will sometimes get denied but that is because of something with the IP address, just keep trying.

[Sailor for Warner]

62. I applaud your choice to do your job

Both for you and your comrades, you will be fine, and dont worry about quiting drinking, the beer over there sucks anyway.

[Eurobabe]

63. Thank you for your service to our country

Sending vibes for your safe return to the family. I can imagine you feel conflicted, you are not in an easy place. Godspeed Squatch. :hi:

[demnan]

64. Stay safe

we're all pulling for you!

:hug:

Nancy

[progressoid]

65. Damn...

[recovering democrat]

67. Thank you for your service.

Stay safe! This family will also be thinking of you and praying for your safety and successful mission so that you return home to your family.

My son is also due to go back to Iraq later this year. While we sincerely keep hoping something will change and none of you will have to do this, we know that is unrealistic. The best we can do for him, for you and all our soldiers is to make sure you know how much we appreciate your service to us and to our country and to support what you need to do your job.

:toast:

[OhioChick]

68. Stay Safe...

You're in my thoughts and prayers.

[Name removed]

69. Deleted message

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

[Sailor for Warner]

74. ....

<restrains himself, fascist urge to kill becoming irresistable, must fight programing>

[EdwardM]

85. How about attacking the leaders instead of the troops on the ground?

What's the point of this?

[Breeze54]

89. Attack 'the decider' not the troops!

idiot! :grr:

[knitter4democracy]

91. What a horrible thing to say at a horrible time.

You do not speak for most of us here. Just because the leadership is wrong doesn't mean the soldiers are wrong to serve their nation as best they can.

If a soldier is a tool for fascism, then really, aren't we all, even the protestors? The fascist overlords use the protestors to rally their own base and make everyone feel like they need the stability of fascism. So, why attack a soldier for doing his work overtly?

[helderheid]

95. Speaking of tools...

:eyes:

[Cerridwen]

96. Rude, in bad taste, out of context and I'm posting so I can check

later and see if the alerts this post must have prompted, have been addressed.

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt"

[uppityperson]

104. Hard sometimes to seperate the tools from the master

I hope all involved do as little harm as possible and also with there were a way for all to be able to stand in solidarity and say "hell no" without incuring legal repercussions. It can be difficult to seperate the tools from the weilders. For those saying bad things towards Postman, please recognize this. Also that he/she has expressed the same wishes towards Squatch's personal safety that most of us have.

[bananas]

70. Good luck. nt

[Cascadian]

71. Good luck, buddy!

If you are able to, drop us a line now and then. Let us know you are safe.




John

[madokie]

72. Well a person has to believe in something

Believe in your training that you have what it takes to return home safe and sound.
Peace bro' be thinking about you

[Breeze54]

73. Don't go!! Resist!!

http://www.objector.org/girights/links.html

But if you still decide to go? Be safe and keep your head down!

:grouphug:

[Sailor for Warner]

75. And if you do decide to refuse to go

For G-d's sakes, dont mouth off on top of it like Watada and get yourself in more trouble.

[blue cat]

76. Good Luck Squatch

I am saying a prayer for you.

[Suziq]

77. Please Stay Safe

I thank you your sacrifice on our behalf.

[porphyrian]

78. Watch your ass, come home. - n/t

[Maraya1969]

79. My prayers are with you Squatch.

:hug: Looking forward to your safe return.

[BluePatriot]

80. Thanks for your service and best wishes for your safety...

[merh]

81. You and your unit, are in my prayers.

All who wear the uniforms of those that serve this nation and protect our lifes are in my prayers.

If you need anything, let us know, sending packages to the troops is the least we can do.

Thank you, sir, for loving this nation so. :patriot:

[sellitman]

82. Stay safe and return quickly.

If my son was about to go I don't know what I would do.

Probably flee the country with him in tow.

This war is wrong on all fronts.

[davsand]

84. Stay safe, and what can we do to help?

This is a community here, and part of "community" where I come from, anyhow, is we help each other out in times of need. What can we DUers do for you and yours?

Is it a matter of sending emails of support to you over there?

Is it a matter of sending "care packages" to you and your guys?

Does your wife need some moral support?

Please be thinking about what we can do for YOU if you have to go--OK?


Laura

[northzax]

86. bad luck, Hoss

keep your nose clean and your head down over there. I'll have that beer for you though, thanks.

[bluescribbler]

87. Come back whole

Both in body and in mind. This Viet Nam vet salutes you. :patriot:

[Turn CO Blue]

90. We are all working and pressuring Congress

and the * Administration to get you and the rest out of that quagmire and to give all of you fine troops something better to do with all your training and good intentions.

In the meantime, take care of yourself, keep exercising and eating right, and keep us informed.

===
tcb

[knitter4democracy]

92. I'm sorry--what a horrible time to leave home.

Give your wife higs from all of us, and let her know that most of us here thank her for her sacrifices, too. I sure do. Let us know if you need anything, too. I'm being super slow on my knitting these days, still trying to finish a pair of socks and a helmet liner for DUers who've had kids over there. Let me know, though, if you'd like a helmet liner for the cold nights on patrol and the windy times. I'll do what I can.

Maybe I'll throw in some baby booties, too. ;)

[helderheid]

93. Ah dear. And with a wee one on the way. Any chance you could pose nude for Playgirl? Got one of our

soilders kicked out that way!

[Sal316]

97. Stay safe!

Be careful and keep your eyes peeeled.

Peace!

~~Sal316

[Cerridwen]

98. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

I hope, if you do have to go, that you'll have the opportunity to meet your new daughter or son first.

Of course, as with the rest here, I just hope you don't have to go because we'll have ended this fustercluck soon.

Congratulations to you and your wife on #2!

[Evergreen Emerald]

99. You will be in our thoughts and prayers

Thanks for your service Squatch.

[vanboggie]

100. Be careful Squatch

Thank you for your service. I have a nephew with orders to go as well, so I have an idea what your family is going through. Will look forward to you keeping us posted on your well being. Stay safe.

[Kadie]

101. Stay safe.

Our thoughts will be with you.

[uppityperson]

102. Best of luck, hope you return home safe and sane.

[annabanana]

103. We are along side you, sir.

Anything you send to us will get posted. We will be working hard, here, to see that your stay over there is as short as possible.

[Bjorn Against]

105. Please come home safely...

It is no fun watching a DUer get sent off to fight in a war that he doesn't even believe in.

So I guess all I can say is hang in there, your family needs you to come home safe and so does DU. We will fight keep fighting to bring you and the people you serve with home soon.

[applegrove]

106. Good luck!

[Irishonly]

107. Stay Safe

We will keep on close to our hearts and in our prayers.

I am not a drinker but I think if I were in your shoes right now I would be thinking whiskey and a lot of it.

[BigBearJohn]

108. We are with you in spirit and prayer. Please watch your six.

[mzmolly]

109. Can't you be a conscientious objector?

You should not risk your LIFE for a war that has no value to anyone. Please consider it.

I wish you the best, and my heart goes out to you.

Please keep us informed, we'll all be with you no matter what you decide.

[Sailor for Warner]

112. CO's must not just be oppsosed to this war but ALL wars

If so, why be in the military, it only works during a draft really.

[mzmolly]

118. There are many things one can do in the military.

Just ask a recruiter, who will rarely mention "war."

I think objecting to a particular war, is especially conscientious?
Here is a good read by Kevin Benderman, a brave objector to the Iraq war.

http://www.antiwar.com/orig/benderman.php?articleid=4455

[Sailor for Warner]

119. Still an all volunteer force

If you sign up and whine that your recruiter didnt mention "war" you need to get your head checked. I also dont like the use of the word "brave" for objectors and deserters, "smart", maybe, "full of conviction" yes, brave, no.

[mzmolly]

120. People can change their minds about killing other human beings for the profit of a few

AFTER they've enlisted. You go ahead and call that "whining." And, I DO like the word BRAVE. That's why I used it - here it is again > "BRAVE!"

[Sailor for Warner]

121. Whatever, keep using it by all means

I think its insulting to his unit that he abandoned who will likely face death when all he has to face is a jail cell.

[mzmolly]

125. I think it's an insult to human life to fight a war which is for the benefit of Haliburton

stock holders.

[Sailor for Warner]

126. Oh is that a requirement now...

Do I have to whine about Halburton stockholders etc to be considered progressive?

[mzmolly]

127. Did I say you did?

I responded to your rhetoric about "whiners."

[bookman]

110. We wish you the best.

We'll do our best here to make sure you and your buddies are as safe as possible and we can get you home as soon as possible.

[proud patriot]

111. You have my full support and positive wishes

Regardless :loveya:

[Coexist]

113. If you can, let us know if there is anything we can send you

is it okay to post your address here?

[Zhade]

114. I can't remember - do you support this illegal war?

If not, wow, this sucks!

If so, well, at least you're more consistent than most freepers.

[Sailor for Warner]

115. If he supported the war...

He would have been banned months ago, come on now.

[lovuian]

116. Always remember we Love ya and just stay safe and survive

i feel like Iraq is so like vietnam where soldiers bonded together and their only law was survive... in senseless times that made the most sense


Survive

and always remember we Love you no matter what

[williesgirl]

117. God bless you and keep you and your unit safe. Please send us an address

so we can get some neat care packages together for you and your unit. Also, let us know how we can help your wife and family while you're gone. Maybe Skinner can start a fund to help them out. I'd sure like to send something. I know how hard it is on military families. Stay safe. We'll keep working hard to get all of you home quickly.

[Pathwalker]

122. BE SAFE, Sir! That is an order!

Please?

[Johnny Noshoes]

123. A Blessing

"May God stand between you and harm in all the empty places you must walk"

Get back home safe and whole.:patriot:

[Lisa]

124. good luck!

I hope you won't have to go at all. But if you do, that you will come back safe and sound ... as soon as possible.

[jgraz]

128. Dude, you really need to start listening to some of these bands

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=54206&mesg_id=54206

That would keep you out of Iraq for sure!



Seriously, stay safe. You deserve better than this country is giving you.

[treestar]

130. I know you will be in harm's way but you guys also have guns

So at the risk of sounding like a freeper, use them! And you are well trained. But the enemy is more desperate.

May you come back alive and in one piece, and not having any killing on your conscience that bothers you.

[lastliberalintexas]

131. Good luck and take care Squatch

Try to keep your own peace as best you can.

[Dastard Stepchild]

133. Be safe....be well....

Under the circumstances, care for yourself as best as you can, and know that people here will be (and currently are) very concerned for you and your fellow soldiers/workers/medicos overseas.

I wish that it did not have to be this way, and I don't agree with this war, but I have nothing but the utmost concern and care for those that find themselves in Iraq. I wish you well as you make your preparations to embark this year.

:hug:

[blm]

134. Sorry Squatch. But fine men usually DO serve their country honestly.

You will be in our hearts.

[Critters2]

135. You're in my prayers.

This really sucks. Stay safe.

[Chorophyll]

136. K & R and...

...prayers and love and good vibes to you, your wife and your family. If I could, I'd buy you the beer(s) of your choice.

Thank you for your service. We all owe it to you to try to get out of this damned mess immediately.

:patriot:

[sonias]

137. Be safe Squatch

May you return safe from your tour of duty.

Sonia

[Olney Blue]

138. Squatch, be careful.

:hug:

[Miss Chybil]

139. May God keep you safe, happy, healthy and whole. nt

[NC_Nurse]

140. OMG!

Please stay safe. I will be thinking of you.

Your wife has my love and prayers too.

:hug: :grouphug:

[NashVegas]

141. Godspeed

And be ready for those ambushes.

[StrictlyRockers]

142. Don't let them try and make you wear a red shirt like this guy.

If all the other guys are in blue and yellow uniforms, and you beam down with a red one on, you may be in for trouble...



hehe ;)

But seriously bro, my heart goes out to you, man. It's not a fun choice to make. I will respect you very, very much if you choose to go. I may respect you a tiny bit more if you took a stand and decided to fight against the deployment based on your principles. Either way, I will focus good energy on you and pray for a happy outcome for my DU brother, my countryman, "Sergeant Squatch".

:yourock:

SR

[xultar]

143. I'll drink a couple for you. Keep in touch...Love ya!

[Chemical Bill]

144. We will work and pray for your safe return...

along with the rest of our troops, ASAP.

Keep your head down and your spirits up.

bill

[mmonk]

145. Best of luck

Here's some beer.

[msedano]

146. keep your head down

, stay away from the ville, and keep a tight asshole.

Oh, and be safe, bro.

mvs

http://readraza.com/hawk/index.htm

[Synnical]

147. I'm so saddended by this news

Try to stay safe. Another K&R.

[SunDrop23]

148. Godspeed.

[11 Bravo]

149. OOO-rah, bro.

My war was over 30 years ago, but the basics remain the same. Keep your head down ... unless one of your buddies is in trouble. Squatch, you'll be in my prayers.

[spindrifter]

150. Good luck. I know a few

others who are deploying there this year. I wish them a safe return to families and friends. Stay in touch!