[Vision2020] An Iraqi Veteran's Testimony

Tue Aug 8 10:21:36 PDT 2006

As a Vietnam Vet, a grandchild of Vets from WWI and WWII and Korea, I agree 
with the sentiments of this writer.

Just because we are sent off to a hot spot absolutely doesnae mean we wish 
to be there or agree it is right for to be there.  If someone eagerly says 
"Yeah, can't wait to kill me some enemy!"  I worry about them - heartily so. 
  What we donnae need is more "Rambos" out there killing people for nae good 
reason.  THEY are the ones that make the mistakes that this whole country 
ends up pay for.

I saw many a dead body, parts of bodies, lives destroyed, villages and 
people from them mutilated or dead, decisions made that left me wondering 
"What the h**l are we doing here?  What is it we are really fighting for or 
about?" to make me sick.  I still suffer the effects of those years spent 
hiding, running, recovering, shooting, being shot at; I donnae wish that on 
anyone.

IF this was a righteous conflict, one in which we were in danger if we 
didnae get involved in it, then I could see us continuing to be there.  As 
it is, WE are the ones that started it and the objective has YET to be made 
clear.

Democracy be damned as that is NAE the true reason and THAT should be clear 
to anyone with half a brain.  There is many a speculation as to why we are 
still in an area that clearly is breaking down faster than we can pour more 
men and money into and one in which we will ne'er be able to fix.  Why?  
Just how many of our young people are we willing to loose for this cause 
that isnae?

I urge people to continue writing to the Congress and the President to STOP 
this before we have too many of our youth spent in a fight we have nae a dog 
in.  And nae, I am nae "bitching" about it...just stating facts.

J  :]

>From: Melissa Hendrickson <hend5953 at uidaho.edu>
>To: Dick Sherwin <rvrcowboy at clearwire.net>
>CC: Vision2020 <vision2020 at moscow.com>
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] An Iraqi Veteran's Testimony
>Date: Tue, 08 Aug 2006 09:56:29 -0700
>
>Mr. Sherwin-
>
>Generally there are two sides to every story, but with the wars in
>Iraq and Afghanistan, I would wager there are as many sides and
>stories as their are people involved.  Yes, there are those who
>support the wars, they want to be there, and at the same time there
>are those who do not, war has changed them and they do not want to be
>a part of it.  They are no less American or soldiers than those ready
>to go back.
>
>My step brother just started his second tour in Iraq, when he returned
>from his first tour he vowed never to go back and was at the end of
>his ROTC contract so he found himself a nice civilian job, got
>married, and is now expecting his first child.  But the Army decided
>they needed his services again, he loves his country so he went back
>when they came begging.  They told him he would not be going back to
>Iraq, but I guess they changed their mind.  I guess he didn't endure
>enough sniper fire and RPG's the first time.
>
>He has a duty to his country, he does not support the war or the
>government. He was a die hard Bush supporter when he left the first
>time and couldn't stand the man when he returned.  He is not one of
>the bitchers and whiners your write about.  And making statements
>like "it disgusts the large majority of those who served under the
>same circumstances" does not support your argument either.  Have you
>polled the majority of veterans returning from the wars?  I would
>wager that is a no, I could probably find just as many folks who have
>been there and oppose the wars as you could find supporters.  War is
>now written into my family, I see it in our faces, on the faces of our
>friends.  I support my brother and his fellow soldiers, they are brave
>enough to go and fight, even when they do not always support the
>cause.
>
>We sit here on Vision 2020 in our safe comfortable houses and offices,
>passing judgements on each other, because someone fails to see the
>world in the same hue as we do.  Life is not black and white, us
>verses them, me versus you, it is the comfortable way of seeing the
>world, but it is not always the best way.
>
>Sorry this is so long,
>
>Mo Hendrickson
>
>
>
>-- Original Message -----
>From: Dick Sherwin <rvrcowboy at clearwire.net>
>Date: Tuesday, August 8, 2006 8:52 am
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] An Iraqi Veteran's Testimony
>To: Vision2020 <vision2020 at moscow.com>, nickgier at adelphia.net
>
> > Remember the old adage, "There are two sides to every story?"
> >
> > I have just spent the last few days on the fire line in the area
> > south of
> > the highway, between Cherry Lane Bridge and the Thunderbird Store,
> > on the
> > Clearwater.  I was with several young men who had recently
> > returned from
> > duty in Iraq and not one of them was negative about either their
> > experienceor their government over it.  Most of them were anxious
> > to return and finish
> > the mission.
> >
> > It always seems the bitchers and whiners get the attention,
> > probably because
> > they seek it out.  Once they get some media attention (not a
> > difficult thing
> > to do), people like Nick can't wait to pick up on it and spread it
> > evenfarther into the public at large.  I can tell you personally,
> > it disgusts
> > the large majority of those who served under the same circumstances.
> >
> > Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but it sure gets
> > tiresome hearing
> > the proverbial "squeeky wheel" constantly whinning in one's ear.
> >
> > Dick S.
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <nickgier at adelphia.net>
> > To: <vision2020 at moscow.com>
> > Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 4:40 PM
> > Subject: [Vision2020] An Iraqi Veteran's Testimony
> >
> >
> > > Another Iraq tragedy
> > > Lewiston Morning Tribune, August 7, 2006
> > >
> > > "A dramatic, disastrous event," per the Webster's II.
> > >
> > > Having returned on July 15, with my USAF-ANG uniform still on, I
> > can and
> > will now definitely say to those who listen with basic objectivity
> > that the
> > actions by the current Republican White House administration and
> > congressional leaders since October 2001 are not only missteps,
> > inaccuraciesand intelligence failures, but also just basic
> > dishonest lies.
> > >
> > > When one communicates to others information that is not true,
> > these are
> > termed lies, plain and simple. When leaders mislead followers with
> > lies, all
> > of us lose.
> > >
> > > On the ramp at Baghdad International Airport, on July 3, a
> > patriot detail
> > performed again, with two more flag-draped coffins, ever so
> > carefully and
> > ceremoniously carried into the C130 for the final flight home. I
> > attendedfive patriot details from May to July. Softly spoken
> > commands were issued.
> > All present rendered the highest ceremonial respect and honors
> > possible to
> > those two beneath their flag. Small arms fire sounded in the not-
> > too-far
> > distance. Our own weapons at arm's length, a quick reach. Some
> > teary eyes,
> > some quiet sniffles. Everyone present had thoughts racing through
> > their own
> > minds. I did. I do. Retiring back across the ramp were at least a
> > score of
> > military uniforms, different heights and weights, both male and
> > female. Not
> > a word was heard, just some heavy sighs.
> > >
> > > In my own mind, I question the legality and justice of the
> > invasion and
> > the still-changing stories from our elected president and vice
> > president. I
> > left my lone 5-week-old son and his mother. I'd been gone longer
> > than he's
> > been alive. It's my duty to America, this tragedy.
> > >
> > > Ronald C. Lamb
> > >
> > > Asotin
> > >
> > > =======================================================
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> > >           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> > > =======================================================
> > >
> >
> > =======================================================
> > List services made available by First Step Internet,
> > serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
> >               http://www.fsr.net
> >          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> > =======================================================
> >
>
>=======================================================
>  List services made available by First Step Internet,
>  serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>                http://www.fsr.net
>           mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
>=======================================================

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