From a Lt. Col.

[Lynne]

A retired fly boy sent this to me....

From a Lt. Col. with the 101st Airborne Div who was also in Vietnam:

Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth month of duty in Iraq, I was
forced to return to the USA for surgery for an injury I sustained prior to
my deployment. With luck, I'll return to Iraq to finish my tour.

I left Baghdad and a war that has every indication that we are winning, to
return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971
after my tour in Vietnam Maybe it's because I'll turn 60 years old in just
four months, but I'm tired:

I'm tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican who lack
the courage, fortitude, and character to see these difficult tasks through.

I'm tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history when
the going gets tough.

I'm tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they 'Support the
Troops' by wanting them to 'Cut and Run' before victory is achieved.

I'm tired of a mainstream media that can only focus on car bombs and
casualty reports because they are too afraid to leave the safety of their
hotels to report on the courage and success our brave men and women are
having on the battlefield.

I'm tired that so many Americans think you can rebuild a dictatorship into a
democracy over night.

I'm tired that so many ignore the bravery of the Iraqi people to go to the
voting booth and freely elect a Constitution and soon a permanent Parliament

I'm tired of the so called 'Elite Left' that prolongs this war by giving aid
and comfort to our enemy, just as they did during the Vietnam War.

I'm tired of antiwar protesters showing up at the funerals of our fallen
soldiers. A family who's loved ones gave their life in a just and noble
cause, only to be cruelly tormented on the funeral day by cowardly
protesters is beyond shameful.

I'm tired that my generation, the Baby Boom - Vietnam generation, who have
such a weak backbone that they can't stomach seeing the difficult tasks
through to victory.

I'm tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of captives than
they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.

I'm tired that when we find mass graves it is seldom reported by the press,
but mistreat a prisoner and it is front page news.

Mostly, I'm tired that the people of this great nation didn't learn from
history that there is no substitute for Victory.

Sincerely,

Joe Repya
Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army,
101st Airborne Division"

 

[Adam_MA]

Yep... The state of our country, makes me ashamed!

 

[C-pher]

+1 Adam...

Sometimes I'm happy were we are, sometimes it makes me hang my head...

 

[MrsWildweasel]

I also agree with you guys, but I am proud of our servicemembers and what they have accomplished, and the Iraqi people that daily try to make a difference in their country.

 

[Nickle]

Things aren't quite as bad as he lets on.

VT is a fairly Liberal state, believe it or not. Funny thing is, we have Liberals that are Pro-Gun, and some that are Pro-Troops.

As our Socialist Representative says, we shouldn't have gotten into Iraq, but it's too late to change that. Let's finish the job, then pull the troops out. Most folks up here have similar sentiments, some think it was right to go in the first place (they are the truly enlightened ones). Only a few want to cut and run, but they have the BIGGEST mouths. They get ignored, all the time.

On a side note, coming in the gate this morning, I saw a strange sight. The guy in front of me was in his Subaru. The plate number? SAPPER It had a Veteran Magnet on it as well (he means Combat Veteran, since just being a regular Vet is nothing unusual here).

 

[Skald]

This country is a sad story for the most part, and I really don't see it getting any better.

As far as the 'enlightened left' I love it when they try to debate me, they end up loosing big time. To enforce my point sometimes on why the 2nd Amendment is fundemental in our freedoms, I rip out a piece of paper, scribble on it and say to them "Well, so you know, here is what your family would get if you were doing what your doing now in China (pretty much being anti-government) and walk away. Of course what I wrote out was a bill ofr 1 9mm round used to execute said dissident.

If its a woman and the Terrorist problem I just look at her and ask her "May I then you assume you wish me to act in accordance when the extremists will cease their campaign?" If they say 'Yes' I just look at them and say "ok, do not speak, a woman is to be seen and never heard unless spoken too. You need to go home and get a male family member to escort you around town. Also, turn in your drivers license and all your summer clothes and go and buy a Burka and such." I wait for them to fume and say "Women's Lib hasn't and wont accure in Fundemental Islam, you will get to be a 2nd rate citizen at best, behind men." I wait a moment and then say "And don't forget, you are not allowed to vote."

I tend to piss them off, but I'm treating them how they want me to act, and take pride in my political incorrectness.

And right now, the only PC term I will use is Native American (I mean, it makes sense since to me in that last I checked, the Sioux and such didn't come here from Bombay.)