Some Iraq Troops Arrive in Md. for R&R

[Noordam]

AP News

Some Iraq Troops Arrive in Md. for R&R
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: September 26, 2003


Filed at 7:41 a.m. ET

LINTHICUM, Md. (AP) -- Some of the first troops serving in Iraq to get a vacation arrived Friday morning for two-week home leave with plans to see their children, take naps and eat real food.

A flight bringing 192 soldiers landed just before 6 a.m. at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. The troops left the plane in groups of about 40. They were greeted by about a dozen family members, the media and a sign saying, ``Welcome Home U.S. Armed Forces. Thanks for Serving Our Country.''

``It's good to be back. My wife just had a baby and I'm really looking forward to seeing her,'' said Pvt. Larry Burns, 20, of Burlington, Vt. His baby, Alexia, is two weeks old. Burns is a member of 173rd Airborne Brigade.

.... more at article..

First thing AWOL has done right for the troops

[Flubadubya]

1. Is it really right for the troops or right for AWOL?

This is a rather poor substitute for the relief that they really need, i.e. to come home to stay. However, this little bone they've tossed these guys may backfire.

Can you imagine what stories they will have to tell? Oh, and speaking of AWOL, I expect a number of those to occur as well.

This is no relief, just a band-aid that Shrub&Co. hope will shut up their belly aching for awhile... a "hushpuppy" if you will.

[demnan]

2. I was thinking along these lines this morning

You know at least one of these soldiers is going to write a book when he/she finally gets out of this mess.

I want to read that book. It could be the next "Johnny Got His Gun".

[saigon68]

4. And they will castigate AWOL unmercifully

The problem is that this book--- was already written dozens of times over the last 25 years.

the public refuses right now to believe this is---

IRAQ-NAM

say it again

IRAQ-NAM !!!!!

[Noordam]

3. The real problem is in around 4-6 months when the 1yr time period

is over and all these troops EXPECT to come home. Where are they going to get their replacements.

[fla nocount]

5. I wonder how many won't get back on the plane.

I don't believe that I would. It's hard to disappear in this country and still maintain a comfortable lifestyle but not everyone has a home, a family or other responsibilities outside of their own conscience (sp). The military has no doubt taken this into consideration and has some screening for risk factors. I'm probably someone that wouldn't get R&R.

Still, some of these guys are going to climb the fence and how it's handled should prove interesting.