Friend back from Iraq

[kmfarm]

A friend of mine just came back from Iraq for a 2 week leave. He goes back out in a week for 7 more months. He's with the National Gaurd out of Mosinee.

It was really good to see him safe and sound. We could only chat about an hour but we'll catch up over some beer next week. He's got some good stories. Some disturbing also. He works security on the Kuwait border. I just hope I get to see him safe in another 7 months.

Makes you realize how small most of our problems really are.

Mark

[jaybee]

My cousin Tony was a Marine in Iraq. He returned last May. Been great having him back. God only knows what they have been through. Enjoy your time with your friend.

[Crys]

My uncle belongs to that same Ohio unit that lost so many people a month or so ago, and I've got friends from high school and college in the army and navy over there too. It's really hard checking the list every day to see who's not coming back or who is coming back early because they're injured beyond the ability to be fit for duty ever again. I've been lucky so far. No major injuries among my friends and family yet.

I'm glad you've had the chance to see your friend and he came home ok for his leave.

I wanted to say something non-political about how war affects families and all of us, but frankly, I can't come up with anything that doesn't end with "if this was about anything but a few rich old white guys getting fatter and richer because war is good business then Bush would be on the front lines with a gun instead of staying in Washington like a coward", because very nearly every person in this country now knows someone who is in or has been in Iraq and we live in fear every day not of terrorists but that our loved ones won't be coming home while they get pushed around like checkers by people who've never been in the military or had to face death themselves, who suffer no consequences if they get five, five hundred, or five thousand of our people killed. And for what? The whole thing makes me too angry to just accept it and say something nice about it. There is nothing nice about it to be said.

[ProcardZ]

Being a former Marine myself I'm glad that your friends and family are back home. After experiencing simular events during my enlistment I feel for their losses and applaude their victories. Job well done guys.

[KateOYM]

Two of my good friends from high school (one being my ex of 2+ years) recently returned home from tours overseas. It's so good knowing they're safe.. but that is masked by the fact that even more of my friends are being sent over.

For anyone interested in supporting the troops:

I am an officer for the Wisconsin Marketing and Management Association WCTC chapter. Each year we do a state-wide civic consciousness project. This year our project is "Bridging the Gap" aka Support Our Troops. We'll be raising money and sending supplies to those overseas. If anyone would like to help us please let me know! There's numerous ways to reach out!!