Open Letter from a soldier

Well, I am leaving SG. I am being activated and sent to Iraq for a year to a year and a half. I have spent much of my childhood reading about military history and making heros of those who bravely fought to defend their country. I have often actually wanted to be there. I WANTED to run over a hill and surprise a platoon of Germans and come away the victor. I WANTED to fly a bomber over Berlin in an air raid. I wanted so bad to be those men. Then it happens to you. When it's your turn, it's not so romantic. Not to mention that this is not my grandfathers war. WWII made sense. We were a country that was drawn into war in Pearl Harbor, and we were fighting a fight that we could define. It was a war against a madman who wanted to rule the war and he would stop at nothing, including genocide against the Jews. This war is not so clear. I'm not sure where I am going and more importantly, I'm not sure why. It's hard to feel like I am going to affect any change at all. This is a different kind of war. And make no mistake about it, this IS a war. Bush may have declared an end to the war on May 1st, but ti date 380 U.S. troops have died in Iraq, 242 of those since the "end" of the war. For those of you keeping score at home, that's 138 dead before Bush claimed victory, and 242 after. Now how in the hell is this not still a war?
I have no exact idea as to where I am going, how my living quaters will be, or exactally what I will be doing. I have had every emotion that you can have. I am scared, interested, excited, sad, in some ways I am proud to have a chance to serve my country, in some ways I have no idea of what purpose I am serving. No matter what, I'm going because that is my job. I plan to do that job to the best of my abilities, and I plan to do all I can to ensure that I and those around me come home safe. I prepare for the worst, hope for the best. I have been trained to kill. I have been trained to inflict as much damage as I possibly can, however this is no longer training, this is real. "Killing" and enemy during training exercises is nothing. It's not hard to move tatically in an environment and "kill" an enemy that as soon as the training is over the "enemy" gets back up off the ground, ceases to be dead, and training continues. I have also been "killed" during training. Again, after I was "dead" during training, when all is said and done, I go learn what I did wrong so as to not do it again. This time I have no second chances though.
Some of you have gotten to know me through these same boards. I have argued many times with many of you on issues that come up. I have argued many points for this very war that I am soon to be involved in. This is why I am in the military. I believe in a country where we are aloowed to argue publicly about our differences, and we are all able to affect change in this country should something need changing. Our country is NOT perfect, but it does work for the most part. I love this country. I will die for it.
My only request, if you can call it such, is that in the comming days, weeks, months and years, when arguments pop up on these boards about this war, or the Bush administration or what have you, please avoid disrespecting american soldiers. It happens way too much. People seem to asume that American soldiers are blind, stupid and violent. This is far from the truth. Many soldiers agree with the idea that there is no reason for this war, that this is all about oil. But soldiers have a job to do, and we will do it. Most soldiers are not out for violence and bloodshed. It is unfortunatley a part of our business, but most of us want it no more than you do. We are your brothers, sisters, and neighbors. We sell you groceries, we build your houses, and work as doctors and lawyers. We are you. We just have a job to do that most people don't want to do. Sometimes we don't want to do it either, but this is our job.
I am leaving Suicide Girls because I can be called to leave any day now, and I will be called to go for sure within the next 8 to 10 weeks. I am just hoping to make it through the holidays. My mother is devasted. My Grandmother's health is failing, and if she dies while I am gone, I will never see her again. I can't come home for her funeral, I already asked. I am doing great in school, but now I am going to loose a year and a half of that and I will be 31 years old when I come home. I feel like I will never finish school.
I don't post all this for you to feel sorry for me. I made the choice to be a soldier. Instead I have posted this so that maybe some of you can see that soldiers are just like you. We are not bloodthirsty killers who hate everyone. If you want to shout and protest, please do, it's your right, rights that are fought for and defended by soldiers. But please respect your military. We are ordinary people called upon to do and extrordianary job.

Godspead my friend, and may the value and worth of your life not descend to the level of the cause for which you fight.
Please, just remember that everything you said is true, not just for our troops, but for the German troops you talked about defeating in WWII and the Iraqi troops you're going to kill soon as well. You have a choice in this, it's your life. Don't let them throw it away. You are my brother and I love you so I'll say it again:
Godspead.

Good luck bro..........

Good Luck and cover your ass....fight the good fight and come home safe....
Your deeds will not go unappreciated, and I think there are a hell of a lot more supporters for your task then the shit bag media portrays.....at least I know there are in my neck of the woods.....Be Safe!

Good luck man. You and the rest of the troops have my support. It's a sad thing a lot of men and women are going to fight in a coutnry not understanding or agreeing with why they are there. Of course, war is hell at all times, but I'm sure it's a little easier to deal with when things are more clear cut in terms of why you are there doing what you're doing. In WWII we fought a megalomaniac hell bent on world domination; I'm sure something like that would be enough to give a soldier some focus and perspective, both of which are big parts of the foundation upon which general morale is built.

I can't imagine what you will end up going through; but I'm sure it will be difficult to say the least. Stay strong and keep ya head up.

peace

Kris

My poor dear friend,
I fear for you, I wish you well, and like so many others feel compelled to remind you unnecessarily that a job is employment and employment is a choice.
I respect your right to decide it is important to fight for your country, even when that country is not correct. I do not agree with your choice, or perhaps even the logic you use to arrive at your decisions, but most importantly, I do not want to see you or anyone else hurt over this stupid, insidious embarrasment that our thoughtless leaders plunged us into.
Finally, I am embarrased. I am embarrased that unlike so many other "really important" topics, nary a SG can be found to comment here.
As DancinYosarian said so well - Godspeed

Good Luck. My cousin just got back. So make sure to re-up for SG when you get back and let us all know you made it back alive

Best of luck brother, be safe, and come back soon



seven

my thoughts are with you and i wish you the best of luck.

i have been opposed to the war in iraq since before it begain. i also belive that many lives have been needlessly put in danger, however don't take the fact that i oppose the action for a lack of respect for you and your peers. i hold a very high level of respect for soldiers who out of a love for thier countries wish to protect that which they love.

Good Luck and God Bless..

Your enemies are the slime of the earth. You're unquestionably doing the right thing and are on the right side. Hope you and your comrades come home alive and intact.

Good luck just seems like an understatement, but it fits. The best to you. I have an undying respect for the milirtary, both of my parents were in the service. best wishes, and make it back.

Where's my damn military smilie?

If you come through Ft. Bragg look me up. Good luck and try and stay in contact.

-Joe

Good luck and god speed my brother in arms I wish you well And pray that no harm comes to you while your there. i could be in your shoes within the next two year i know it sounds a bit far off but my command just got word today that we will start a six month rotation for being in iraq for at least the next five years begingin in january but ill be in japan for the first rotation on a 9 month deployment to okinawa but for the 3rd or 4th rotation i could very well end up there just like you


Eric Chase Lcpl/usmc

*raises glass in salute*

Best of luck to you & everyone else over there. We hope to see you again when your tour's over.

yeah, and then you should wish for world peace, that would make a military uselss.... wish it now and we just get attacked and taken over.....Good luck, as one whom nearly got activated for duty, i know how you felt, i went through MO and was geared up and ready, but was sent home...it's so scary and exciting at the same time,...good luck, stay sharp and i'll hope to see you on these forums soemtiem....

I wish you a speedy and undamaged return.


Don't get dead, OK? There are lots of people that would miss you terribly.

Before you deploy check out www.lightfighter.com, the right gear can keep you alive. Good luck. If you go with the right mindset you will find away to make a difference. To your men and to those you will be protecting over there. All my "in" time was spent in developing countries, you can make a difference to those people.

Hey, if you ever need an e-mail friend, I've got a .mil email address myself.. send me a contact note before you go.

I have nothing but the greatest respect for the men and women who are called up, many of whom I know have the same reservations as you do about the nature and rightness of this conflict. Some of my friends and coworkers are still there, some have come back, all of them feel for those of you about to go. So do I.

And please, come back safe.

[Edited on Nov 05, 2003 by Shalome]

[Edited on Nov 05, 2003 by Shalome]

I have the utmost respect for soldiers regardless of what i think of those who command them.
I hope it goes quickly and that you come home safe.
Take some stickers and remember the hot naked chicks you have to come home to!

best of luck. take care of you and yours and make it back home safely.

Hey, thanks for all the great comments and support. Damn, I love this country!

take care, we just recieved word also. my husband & most my friends are going within the next 2 mths. husband most likely within 2-3 weeks.

can't say i won't say anything bad about soldiers, unpleasant truths are still truth. -and after being one & still being so close to so many, i'm steeped in such things.

but i hope that you have the better ones with you for the most part and things go smoothy and (relatively) dully there for you.

may sand in your butt crack be the worst of your troubles...