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We Are Here for You
Dear servicemembers of the United States, I am 15 years-old, and I support what you are doing for me and others -- even though some don't appreciate it. When I am old enough, I am going to join the Marine Corps. My brother and I fight almost every day because he doesn't like what we are doing in Iraq -- but I almost always win. I am just trying to say that almost all Americans support you. As do I.
-- David Wallace
Troops’ Safety
I have a grandson in Iraq for the second time and one just back from Afghanistan. I totally support the troops, but our president and his cronies should have made sure the vests were safe. But what do they care? They're safe in the US.
-- Esther Stormer
Putting Our Lives at Risk
As a veteran of the Global War on Terrorism, I feel I am obligated to write on behalf of fellow servicemembers who feel that the support is there for them, but not for the missions they accomplish. We are putting our lives at risk. It is not a question for the President to answer to a woman standing out by his ranch in Texas, refusing to leave until he speaks with her. For certain questions, that may be possible. Not for this question, because the answer was given by Casey Sheehan and all the other soldiers, airmen, sailors, and Marines that took the oath of service to enlist in the military. We are aware (no matter how acutely) that at some time in the future of our military careers (no matter how short) we may be called to service, actively participating in a war that we may be uncomfortable with. My oath and the oath of others given provides me comfort in knowing that the elected President of the United States of America is my Commander-in-Chief, therefore, he is my leader and I will follow his orders or not be worthy of my rank, title, and fellow servicemembers. I accept this. I took the oath, as did every other individual, as it is a requirement for enlistment into the Armed Forces. Cindy Sheehan should get more information about her son’s promise to uphold the defense of our beloved nation. We are not war-loving crazies, but individuals fulfilling a promise to allow her the right to stand wherever she wants for however long she wishes to do so and speak freely her mind.
-- Sgt. Christopher Long,
USMC
Read a grieving mother's response to Cindy Sheehan and the media: "One-Sided Media"
PTSD
VA and congress are on a witch-hunt with the blessings of the White House. This is all about money, it always is! The first ones to take a hit are the veterans who served and are disabled or have a claim pending with VA. The doctors were looking for symptoms and asking about stressors that might be related to the veterans claim. Just being in a combat area with fighting going on is a hell of a stressor in itself!
-- Robert Woodward
Read articles about PTSD at Military.com's PTSD Archive.
Airplane in Corner
My wife and I began dating when we were both Air Force Officers stationed at Kunsan Air Base in Korea. My birthday was coming up and she decided to buy me a birthday cake at the Base Exchange. She ran into a language barrier problem with the Korean baker. She had no luck describing the decoration she wanted on the cake, so she wrote down the instructions on a piece of paper. On my birthday, I uncovered the cake and was pleased to see the frosting that dutifully read, "Happy Birthday, Eric! Airplane in Corner."
-- Eric Chandler
It’s Called Morale
Response to the David Sears' column, "American Stuff"
I actually laughed out loud at my desk while reading this article. "The point here is not to begrudge GIs far from home in a deadly place at a dangerous time some elemental comforts." I have a hard time believing that Mr. Sears actually believes this. The whole point of his article was to present the fact that as Americans, we are scared to give up our comfy lifestyle that we have grown accustomed to taking for granted, and that is why we are fighting the war. Are you kidding me? Can someone please explain exactly what is wrong with a soldier who has just spent 12 hours in the field dodging bullets wanting to return to camp and sit back in a bean bag chair and play some tunes on his guitar? What is wrong with a soldier wanting to kick back for a few minutes and maybe check his email, send a note to his family telling them he's safe for another day? What is so wrong with that? Would you rather them return to their tents, curl up in a ball and write a pen and paper letter home to their families that will take two weeks to reach them? We are in an age of technology, so why not use it if it's available, yes, even in the field? It's there for a reason. It's called morale. It's taking your mind off of the bombs and the fear and the death. I fail to see what is wrong with that. As for the National Guard soldier telling of her "king-size bed...imported sheets and a fluffy down comforter," I laugh again. I've never been in a tent that was equipped to hold a king-size bed (And yes, I've been deployed). I'm not quite sure where exactly she would have acquired this bed ... maybe by pushing together three or four single size beds? Who knows? But it's a laugh Mr. Sears, where do you draw the line at how comfortable our troops should be while they’re out there on the front lines?
-- Diana Little
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