'It's much worse than I thought' (soldier letter from Camp Striker)

[Barrett808]

'It's much worse than I thought'
Thomaston man fighting in Iraq says insurgents launch attacks every day
By Billy Vaughn
Managing Editor

A soldier fighting with the 48th Infantry Combat Team said Tuesday conditions in Iraq are "much worse" than he had previously imagined.

Spec. Rodney Davidson is stationed at Camp Striker, outside of Baghdad. He called the Thomaston Times to let people know local troops in the 48th are doing well as they begin patrols through the streets of the city.

"It's hot here, but things are going okay," Davidson, a machine gunner, said. "There are a lot more attacks than I thought there would be, and that surprises me."

The 48th has been hit with mortar attacks twice in the last 10 days. In the first attack, one soldier was killed and 16 others wounded. Eight others were injured in a second attack Monday morning.

"I was sent out on a 'snatch and grab' yesterday," he said. "We were sent out to capture someone on the Most Wanted list, and while we were on that mission, we found five IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices).

"In our sector, we have mortar attacks and attacks with IEDs every day," he said

(more)

http://www.thomastontimes.com/articles/2005/06/15/news/news02.txt

[uppityperson]

1. I am so sorry soldiers, friends, families.

We are trying to get this stopped.

[otohara]

5. Iraqi's Too!

since they are paying the heaviest price.

Support our Ooops!

[Katherine2]

2. Duh, of course the kids like them.

What kid who doesn't get enough to eat isn't going to like someone who throws candy at him?

[emanymton]

3. Cheney Says Otherwise....

Who you gonna believe?

Why Does One Hate Ameirika?



Bush Lied. People Died. Media Cheered.

[lebkuchen]

4. a similar perspective (Stars and Stripes)

If no time to read, here it is in a nutshell: the troops want to go home.

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=29744

[SaveAmerica]

6. thanks for that article, leb nt