[Vision2020] An Iraqi Veteran's Testimony

[Dick Sherwin]

Melissa,

No, I haven't "polled" any number of returning Iraqi war vetrans, however, I
do know many personally.  They are not all of the same opinion about the
situation there but almost none of them are negative about their service
time in Iraq and most are very willing to return, if needed.

Most of the "bitchers and whinners" as I referred to them earlier, are not
even people who served in Iraq.  They are people who stayed home but
disagree with every policy decision of our government.  Many of them
disagree solely on the basis of their hatred for our President.  This is
solely my opinion but I believe most of them need to get a life!  I am also
certain that statement will bring hoots and hollers from many here in the
vision but none-the-less it is my honest opinion.

I respect all our vetrans of Iraq (and all the others also) and am grateful
for their service, regardless of their opinions on the topic.  From my
admittedly limited perspective, most of the Iraqi vets I know support the
war effort but despise the fact the war is being fought in the halls of
Congress, in the media and in the court of public opinion more aggressively
than on the battlefield.  Most of them, as I, believe this war would be over
if only the military were allowed to win it without all the input of the
bitchers and whinners.  There is no such thing as a politically correct war
in the real world, it only exists in the minds of idiots.

If we are going to fight any war by the rules of political correctness then
I agree with the antis, it is stupid to fight to begin with, we may as well
just surrender at the beginning and get it over with.  It is impossible to
win a war under such conditions.  It would be like boxing with you hands
tied behind your back and not being allowed to head butt or kick because
that wouldn't be politically correct.

The only people interested in this kind of war are those who enjoy
displaying the body count regularlly as proof of their anti war agenda,
while claiming to support those who are dying of political correctness.  I
may be from the old school but in my opinion, if we are going to go to war,
we either get-er-done or get out.  I see no sense in dragging the killing
out over a long periond of time just to satisfy some politically correct
notion of a humane war.  I still believe in winners and loosers and keeping
score, but hey... that's just me.

May God bless and protect your brother and bring peace to your family.

Dick S.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Melissa Hendrickson" <hend5953 at uidaho.edu>
To: "Dick Sherwin" <rvrcowboy at clearwire.net>
Cc: "Vision2020" <vision2020 at moscow.com>; <nickgier at adelphia.net>
Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2006 9:56 AM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] An Iraqi Veteran's Testimony


> 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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