The War in Iraq.. and what you have to say to a Soldier?
598962
this is what I have to say...\n\nFirst..Thank you for fighting for ME and my family\n\nSecond...I am sorry that not everyone is as appreciative as they should be.  I don't think it is really you that they don't support so much as the administration that sent you to war.  \nGod bless you\n\n:-)
640915
sometimes i just don't know what to say. these people on here that just think we should up and leave, and honestly don't care as to why we're over there. my husband has been over there for 9 months, and he has another 3 to go, and everyday i am so proud because he puts his life on the line, and for a good reason. we are trying to build iraq up. we are not at a "war" with iraq, we are at a war with terrorists. if we weren't there then so many iraqi soldiers my husband has talked to would still be forced in saddam's army. if we left now we would be betraying those iraqi soldiers who need our help. we would be putting a bullet in their heads because the terrorists would seek them out first and they would all be dead. the iraqi army is not strong enough yet. they are slowly getting there, but they still need us. the country still needs us. some say we should not have even gone, well those people were blind because they needed a new government. this isn't just some little country that we decided "hey let's butt into these people's buisness" this was a country run by a terrorist who needed to be stopped. someone who was torturing his own people. I am the wife of an american soldier and I am proud that my husband along with many others are laying their life on the line for the united states.
634293
Keep up the good work Mr. Former Military, I support your efforts and our troops 100%.  As the guy who claims to have studied history should be able to tell you, every time we've been to war with no moral high-ground, we've had our asses handed to us.\n\nWe went to war for a lie.  I was there.  I saw the reports both before and after the data cooking.  I saw the first op-order from Rumsfeld come down the SIPR net after Bush took power telling our CO's to "get ready for desert warfare".  Between the shock of 9/11 and the propoganda campaign against Iraq I (as a 98G Arabic Analyst) was just too dumbfounded to speak at the lies being rattled off on TV...I kept hoping my Battalion CO (COL) of my MI unit, the smartest guy I knew at the time, would just get on a phone and call somebody to say "This is BS!"  He never did, not a word, only following orders.  I knew after sitting in the desert that I had to get out of the craziness.  I was lucky and was out in another year.  A buddy of mine just died 3 months ago in Afghanistan.  BRING THEM HOME!
1018552
I was in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm.  It was bleak.  After the war ended, many, many, many families were left homeless.  We had hundreds of Iraqi soldiers surrendering to us every day, just to get some food.  We helped many Iraqi families flee from Iraq into Saudi Arabia.  The skies black from all of the oil fields burning in neighboring Kuwait.  I lost a good friend there.
669951
Possibly .. I mean, here we have a solider who is going into a battle front and he may/may not be wounded, shot down, captured, all of the above, I personally want to thank him for defending our freedom's but as you can see this might have a "unfortunate" outcome. It is nice that you found someone that admires you and you him, just keep in mind of the possibilities that await you and all of the other families that have loved ones in Iraq right now. I don't want to tell you this is wrong or try to "throw salt" on the game in any way. BY ALL MEANS keep in touch with him he will need the correspondence, and if you "solider boy" make it back home, take some time to thank him properly.
954381
im an iraqi(background) muslim......so ill tell him to worship god ...not his machine gun and rifles...and to stop killing innocent ppl......and not to mention the other ''WORDS'' im gonna throw in his face......and hes going to hell...............man therese allot of things in my heart i wanna say ....but if im gonna say them ill go on forever
940231
Finish the job and then pull our troops out.  FINISH THE JOB is the key!  We can not go in and destroy a country then leave them in shambles.  We must stay until the bitter end!\n\nGOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!!
910791
Be a good citizen and vote when it is your time.  Oppose the war in a lawful way.  Make sure that politicians are blamed for the war and not the soldiers.   \nI am sure that there are a few in the military that think the war in Iraq is wrong.  But faithful to their oaths the go on serving.  You can support them best by lobbying your politicians and Voting!
119018
I feel we were right to go into Iraq... and also believe that we should stay until they are able to maintain their freedom on their own.  We are a free country and as such have received much help and support from other countries to stay that way.  We owe it to the world to help out.  As far as why... I'd rater be fighting this war in Iraq than here in the US... it could happen.  I hate to hear people talking like we are killing innocent people and the like... our soldiers are trained to protect life and freedome... not to go around killing people.  They will however fire upon those who are threatening their mission.. I wouldn't consider these people innocent.  Our soldiers may have been partially responsible for some civilian casualties... but if those civilians are assisting or hiding the people we are seeking... that's not very innocent either.  Plus let's remember that a good number of casualties are caused by terrorist bombs meant to kill our soldiers... many civilians have lost their lives to these as well.\n\nIf you ever get the opportunity... sit down and actually TALK to someone who's actually been there and ask their opinion (most believe we are doin the right thing and are proud of what we/they have accomplished over there... just make sure when your finished with the conversation... You THANK them for EVERYRTHING they have done and given up to keep us free and safe.
376585
Hey kid, how's it going? I'd be glad to help you out.\n\n1. Operation Iraqi Freedom 2 (OIF2)\n2. Pres. George W. Bush\n3. Iraq (Mostly in and around Kirkuk)\n4. M-4 Carbine (rifle), M67 Anti-Personnel Fragmentation Grenade, and the M252 81mm Mortar System.\n5. Yes, we used Humvees. The actual designation for the vehicle is HMMWV which stands for High Mobility Multile Wheeled Vehicle.\n6. While serving in Iraq I held the rank of Corporal(E-4)\n7. I led a 5 man infantry mortar squad.\n8. The short answer is that we were asked to do a job so we did it to the best of our ability. The long answer: We helped alot of people out(Iraqis), and they let us know every day how much they appreciated us being there and how happy they were to be out  from underthe control and tyrany of a dictator like Hussein. I felt good about what we did in Iraq, and no amount of negative press will ever change that. I also feel that if we left Iraq now, before the job was finished, we would be letting the Iraqi people down and also saying that the men and women who given their lives, died in vain. I myself am not prepared to do that.\n\nHope all this helps. Good luck on the report and feel free to ask any others questions.
741179
Sweat heart everybody makes mistakes.\nYour husband is going through some unbelievably tough experiences. Life in Iraq is brutal.\nWrite him every day, keep the letters upbeat but still telling him how much you miss him, and need him around. Tell him about your child, tell him you talk to her about him all the time. Send him care packages, make them a piece of home, send your picture and a camera telling him you can't wait to see him again. When he says the things you wrote about skim over it, it is such an untrue thing to say it deserves little time. Remind him that he is the only one for you and that your family is the most important thing.
16864
Dogfire:\n\nYou need to be commended for being honest. A lot of guys will follow orders but not say what they are REALLY thinking for fear of retailiation from other troops, commanders, society, etc. So, here's what you might want to consider. I think you should go back because you made the commitment to do so and you'd look like a traitor if you didn't. However, the truly patriotic thing to do is to speak up, let the world know exactly how you feel AS A SOLDIER about what is happening. Make your feelings known. Go back, do your job, but be a patriot: a true patriot in a democratic society will challenge the status quo, will question authority, will speak up when things seem wrong. That is the RIGHT thing to do...fulfill your commitment, but make your voice heard, doing so will bring you dignity, integrity, and admiration.
537546
You can write to me..I am in Iraq now and have been for several months.
664104
A) Whatever it is, let's say, "The War in Iraq," then you write about what other people said about the war. Be sure to include some active listening on your part, meaning you ask people questions to clarify their points. Then, you list how you either agreed or disagreed with what they said about the war. B) To effectively communicate, you should include questions you asked that checked the listener's understanding.
216030
I understand the questioning that one would have over the war in Iraq.  However, if you have not been in the military or have family members serving then you are not getting the whole truth.  I personally have served in the Air Force for six years as a Weather Forecaster.  I have never gone to war.  The Air Force has a very different mission than the other branches.  Like you, I have seen many attempts by the media and others who are hoping to expose some evil reason behind our being in Iraq.  All that you have to do is watch the news or take a minute to read the stories of what is actually going on there.  Iraq is covered with terrorists who are killing their own people daily.  We will be attacked again in the future if we are not successful there. I do not mean to go on and on.  I have a brother who will be in Iraq in a few weeks and I am desperately worried.  However, I never question why he is going and I know he is not either.  In fact he scares me with his eagerness to go.  He has wanted "a piece of the action" for a long time now.  I know he will be in harms way but I am so proud of our men and women who are serving.  You said something MC Gunner on another answer about the war that I found interesting.  You said, "if you consider even 10,000 of the AK47 toting bad guys we have killed, and an AK fires at what? about 500 rounds per minute. How many people would you consider a "Mass"?"  That really made me think!  We all have the right to question, just take the time to research before you come to any conclusions.
441324
I served four tours in Iraq...as a United States Special Forces Commander...and it has affected my life...my family...I came back with a moderate - severe Traumatic Brain Injury...and ever since...I have not spoken a word in about four months...I can't tell my daughter that I love her...Or that I'm proud of her. I lost my best friend over there...and not able to do anything. I know families...and wives and children who have lost their father and husband and brother to this war. But we all fought together as one...into something that we believed in. And something...that is our duty to protect and serve this nation. I know that I am proud of my guys...and every single guy over there and every single woman and man who is training up to go over there. It's not as easy as it looks...and at times... Its' not as bad as you see it from the news...but sometimes its not that great either. I know I've learned personally...to never take anything for granted ... because you never know when it will end. I know that I am forever grateful that God gave me a second chance...and its not easy...to get second chances in life. God bless.
352264
I personally think the war in Iraq will in time be worth it.Things take time....My husband is currently in Iraq on his 2nd tour.I stand behind him and all the troops over there..needless to say lives will be lost but never forgotten.I worry about my husband everyday..We've lost 10 in our unit since Sept.2005 I also think if we was to pull out now,the country would be doomed..and all the lives of the troops,innocent civilans,contractors,media,and many others would be basically lost for nothing it's pointless\nto say "OK we give up!"No we're not gonna give up,we're gonna finish what we started.The Iraqi people deserve a fresh start and that's what their gonna get.My husband is prepared and is honored to serve many more deployments in Iraq because he knows, he's making a difference,but we as Americans know we have our right to opinions and there is always gonna be people who disagree,with whatever the subject is like I said it's our right and it's my right to have the opinion of saying I dont like our troop being there but they have a job to do and I support them 110%....even though you dont agree with whats goin on in Iraq please keep the troops close to your hearts..Pray for them and their families.For those who are in the military or ex military I personally want to Thank You from the bottom of my heart,I know there is noway to ever repay you for your services.\n\n\n                                  101ST Airborne Division\n                                    Fort Campbell,KY\n                                      "RAKKASANS"