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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> Soldier's story.
        
(Message started by: thomas on Apr 22^nd, 2004, 3:05pm)

Title: Soldier's story.
Post by thomas on Apr 22^nd, 2004, 3:05pm

I head off to Baghdad for the final weeks of my stay in Iraq, I wanted to say thanks to all of you who did not believe the media. They have done a very poor job of covering everything that has happened. I am sorry that I have not been able to visit all of you during my two week leave back home. And just so you can rest at night knowing something is happening in Iraq that is noteworthy, I thought I would pass this on to you. This is the list of things that has happened in Iraq recently: (Please share it with your friends and compare it to the version that
your paper is producing)
-Over 4.5 million people have clean drinking water for the first time ever in Iraq.

-Over 400,000 kids have up to date immunizations.

-Over 1500 schools have been renovated and ridded of the weapons that were stored there so education can occur.

-The port of Uhm Qasar was renovated so grain can be off loaded from ships faster.

-School attendance is up 80% from levels before the war.

-The country had it's first 2 billion barrel export of oil in August.

-The country now receives 2 times the electrical power it did before the war.

-100% of the hospitals are open and fully staffed compared to 35% before the war.

-Elections are taking place in every major city and city councils are in place.
-Sewer and water lines are installed in every major city.
-Over 60,000 police are patrolling the streets.

-Over 100,000 Iraqi civil defense police are securing the country.
-Over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers are patrolling the streets side by side with US soldiers.
-Over 400,000 people have telephones for the first time ever.

-Students are taught field sanitation and hand washing techniques to prevent the spread of germs.

-An interim constitution has been signed.
-Girls are allowed to attend school for the first time ever in Iraq.
-Text books that don't mention Saddam are in the schools for the first time in 30 years.

Don't believe for one second that these people do not want us there. I have met many many people from Iraq that want us there and in a bad way. They say they will never see the freedoms we talk about but they hope their children will. We are doing a good job in Iraq and I challenge anyone, anywhere to dispute me on these facts. So If you happen to run into John Kerry, be sure to give him my email address and send him to Denison, Iowa. This soldier will set him straight. If you are like me and very disgusted with how this period of rebuilding has been portrayed, email this to a friend and let them know there are good things happening.

Ray Reynolds, SFC

Iowa Army National Guard

Title: Re: Soldier's story.
Post by floridian on Apr 22^nd, 2004, 3:11pm

President Bush's war in Iraq faces growing opposition from those who are on the front lines: soldiers, their families and veterans, including high-ranking officers.

A bipartisan poll published by Business Week in December showed approval for the president at a mere 36 percent among soldiers, their families and veterans.

"I think the American people were conned into this [war]," said retired Marine Corps Gen. Anthony Zinni, a Bush supporter in 2000. Zinni, who was chief of U.S. operations in the Middle East until three years ago, also charged the administration with failing to plan an occupation that would rebuild Iraq, provide internal stability and advance democracy.

Despite the capture of Saddam Hussein, there has been no let-up in U.S. casualties. As of mid-January, 500 U.S. soldiers have been killed--more than died in the first three years of the Vietnam War. Up to 22,000 more have been evacuated from Iraq for medical reasons. Twenty-one have committed suicide.
LOW TROOP MORALE

The high casualty rate may help explain the low troop morale reported in October by Stars and Stripes, the military newspaper. Nearly one in three of the 2,000 military personnel it surveyed reported that they believed the war had "no value" or "little or no value" at all.

Nearly 50 percent of National Guard personnel and reservists reported low morale. "Reserve members can't possibly keep this pace up," warned Master Sgt. C.J. Nouse, who has spent just four months with his family since Sept. 11, 2001. "With deployments to Bosnia and for homeland defense, our families are continuing to suffer. Does anyone care? This is totally unacceptable. Bring us home or suffer mass exits soon."

It is this concern that led the Pentagon to announce "stop loss" measures prohibiting troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan from leaving the service for up to 90 days after arriving at their home bases. The military can then decide to keep them in service indefinitely "if needed."

The opposition from those in the military is amplified by the voices of military family members and veterans who oppose the war.

MILITARY FAMILIES ORGANIZE

Larry Syverson, the father of two sons still fighting in Iraq, recently completed his 100th antiwar protest in front of the federal courthouse in Richmond, Va.

Anabel Valencia of Tucson had not seen her soldier-daughter in three years, so in December she decided to visit her in Tikrit, Iraq. The U.S. military denied her entrance to the base, but she won sympathy from Iraqi police Capt. Hussein, who was assigned to stand guard over her. According to the Los Angeles Times, Capt. Hussein said:

"I think it's terrible that the Americans will not let you in to see your beloved daughter.... This is the way they treat their own people! Imagine how they treat us.... We were better off before [the U.S. entered]."

But resistance can come at a cost to GIs and their families.

After Jari Sheese of Indianapolis participated in several peace demonstrations and a Paris television program, her antiwar activities were noted in a general's report. Then her soldier-husband in Iraq was transferred on two hours' notice to a remote base with restricted access to the Internet and telephone. Yet he supports Sheese's continued vocal opposition to the occupation as the only way to end the war and bring him home.

Military family organizations and veterans groups have banded together to launch the Bring Them Home Now campaign, led by Military Families Speak Out (MFSO) and Veterans for Peace. Founded in November 2002, MFSO provides a forum for GI families to express their opposition to the war through press conferences, demonstrations at military bases and peace delegations to Iraq.

The organization also sued the administration for taking the country to war without a congressional declaration. (See www.mfso.org.)

Co-founder Nancy Lessin says more than 1,000 families have joined MFSO. There are also several unofficial military unit websites advocating peace and the return of the troops. (See www.bringhomethe142.org and www.129supportingoursoldiers.com.)

MFSO member Jessica Salamon of Cleveland, whose husband was recently deployed to Iraq, defended her protest work as "the best way that I can think of to show that I do support the troops; I support each and every one of them coming home now. I can't just sit back and make care packages."

Title: Re: Soldier's story.
Post by thomas on Apr 22^nd, 2004, 3:18pm

I knew I could count on you for some balance. ;)

Title: Re: Soldier's story.
Post by floridian on Apr 22^nd, 2004, 3:18pm

And neither article gives a full and completely accurate view of what's going on there. ;)

Title: Re: Soldier's story.
Post by thomas on Apr 22^nd, 2004, 3:20pm

on 04/22/04 at 15:18:58, floridian wrote:

And neither article gives a full and completely accurate view of what's going on there. ;)

You are 100% correct, sir. ;;D

Title: Re: Soldier's story.
Post by Jeepgun on Apr 22^nd, 2004, 3:45pm

I was a medic in the United States Army from 1987 to 1993. I've been to war twice: Panama (Op. Just Cause), and Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

War is a horrible, horrible thing... It is a battlefield that turns civilized men into animals, other men into heroes, and other men into burned-out shells that envy their fallen comrades.

War in Iraq... This veteran has mixed feelings, but I am proud of our troops, and I hope they accomplish their mission and come home soon, whole in body, mind, and spirit.

Title: Re: Soldier's story.
Post by CJohnson on Apr 22^nd, 2004, 4:00pm

This is the kind of thread that sometimes ends up with someone deciding to never post again. I wonder how this one will unfold?

PFDANs
-Curtis

Title: Re: Soldier's story.
Post by Woobie on Apr 22^nd, 2004, 7:29pm

on 04/22/04 at 16:00:12, CJohnson wrote:

This is the kind of thread that sometimes ends up with someone deciding to never post again. I wonder how this one will unfold?

PFDANs
-Curtis

Know what you mean - but ...... the ones that leave because of views of others... well... oh well. Everyone has opinions - everyone has their own ways of thinking - and no one should leave because of it. That's what America's all about after all.

If you have CH.... and you dont wanna hear about politics and religion and other things - then DONT READ THE THREAD.

just my opinion... stick around - i have MORE.

wimmin...lol

tina

Title: Re: Soldier's story.
Post by Samurai on Apr 23^rd, 2004, 8:22am

Thomas,
Thank you for looking for the silver lining! It's tough not knowing everything, isn't it!? What I know is that there are a lot of people here who are very appreciative of what the U.S. has done for them and their country. I don't want to go on a rant, but I feel good being here and doing things for these people. It's obvious everywhere that this country is recovering and preparing to flourish, if only we can stop the brutality of the fanatical groups. By we I mean the US soldiers and the Iraqi police, together.
Jason
(In Baghdad now)

Title: Re: Soldier's story.
Post by Jeepgun on Apr 23^rd, 2004, 8:32am

Jason, thank you for serving and for the job that you're doing over there. I am so damn proud of our soldiers... You are America's finest. Keep your sh*t wired tight and come home safe. *SALUTE!* HOO-WAH!!!

Title: Re: Soldier's story.
Post by BobG on Apr 23^rd, 2004, 8:38am

Quote:

Don't believe for one second that these people do not want us there.

The common man/woman want the help from our troops. They want a peaceful life. They want a job to support their families. They want schools for their kids. They want to just be left alone to enjoy life.
It's the religious leaders and war lords that are afraid of the U.S. They are afraid of loosing their power and the $$$'s.

Quote:

I feel good being here and doing things for these people.

Thanks Jason. Take care. Be safe.

Title: Re: Soldier's story.
Post by renny on Apr 23^rd, 2004, 9:02am

Hi there Jason,
Have not had the pleasure of meeting you, but am proud to call you my brother. Please know you are in my prayers every night, God Bless you and yours, as well as the rest of our troops and their familys.
Watch your back and come home safe....
All the best
karen :)