Five 18-year-olds among those killed in action in Iraq this month

[Judi Lynn]

Five 18-year-olds among those killed in action in Iraq this month
By Associated Press, 4/8/2004 17:45


WASHINGTON (AP) Among the surging number of American troops killed in action in Iraq this month were five 18-year-olds.

In the previous 13 months of the war, eight troops that age had died, of which two were killed in action.

The five 18-year-olds listed as killed in action this month were all Marines, who typically are younger than the average soldier.

The fifth, announced Thursday, was Lance Cpl. Marcus M. Cherry of Imperial, Calif. He died Tuesday in the Al Anbar Province that is the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force's area of responsibility.
(snip)

The minimum age to join the U.S. military is 17, with parental approval. While there is no age restriction for going to war, the services typically do not send people overseas until age 18.
(snip/...)

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/099/wash/Five_18_year_olds_among_those_:.shtml

[chelsea0011]

1. Very sad, isn't it? The News Hour shows the faces of the deceased.

It really is distressing to see the very young faces among the deceased. The News Hour is the only media outlet that acknowledges the soldiers who have died in a moving silent tribute.

[bluestateguy]

2. Disgusting

I have a lot of 18 year old students, and after interacting with them regularly I can tell you that while they may be legally adult, they are often still of a very childlike disposition.

Had our side been listened to a year ago these kids would still be alive today. Regrettably, I can't say that they died protecting America's freedom. Brave as they were, they died for a fraudulent cause and a lie perpetuated by the Bush Administration.

[kalian]

3. I work as an IT tech at a local school district....

and those 18 year olds are literally KIDS. Yes, they might be
"coming of age" in certain things but they are still kids. I look back
to when I was their age...some 15 years ago...and I remember how I
used to think... Its sad, but many more will end up coming home
in body bags.

Damn you Bush! :mad:

[jmcgowanjm]

5. But they can't drink alcohol

And who would need alcohol more.

At least the Assassins were sent to die
as high as kites w/ hash.

[jmcgowanjm]

6. Thank you for teaching kalian, you don't get paid enough

[Karenina]

12. FULL STOP.

NO.

Our children are NOT cannon fodder for this madness. NO!

Lookee here, it is a foregone conclusion that Amis WILL leave Iraq. The ONLY question is how many will die in the process. As for any arrogant musings about how "they" should govern themselves, fuggehdaboudit. Tend to your OWN damn bidness and clean YOUR yard first. Take out those *interests who have nothing better to do than throw matches into kerosene for profit. That will go a long way to postponing our collective demise.

GET THOSE KIDS OUTTA THERE, NOW.

BRING THEM HOME. Anyone who objects, "Bringumon."

GET THOSE KIDS OUTTA THERE, NOW.

Those who imagine "staying the course" is the way, put 'em on the next plane to the cradle of civilization. Maybe then they'll get a clue. Maybe they will realize exactly what the *misanthropistration has done on their behalf... protecting "freedoms" and such. ;-) Anyone wants OUT gets to "Hasta la *BFEE." Ain't gonna kill and die fa YO sick obsession with lizard leavings.

My kids were OBSESSED with dinosaurs... Ninja Turtles... Transformers... "Multiculturalism" permeated their upbringing. They've assembled amazing world views.
And now their ranks are threaatened with annihilation.

NO. NO. NO.
NO. NO. NO.
NO. NO. NO.

Some of my contemporaries been on the streets for 30 years, traumatized by Viet Nam, having ben a party to atrocities fighting for "truth, justice and the "American" way. (Was it tungsten or titanium)?
No matter, LBJ KNEW it was a lost cause and a LOT of mightabeen-aging-baby-boomers died. Kudos, respect and love to those who, against all odds, remained intact. Thank you for your commitment.

Now they want to take out another generation.

NO. NO. NO.
NO. NO. NO.
NO. NO. NO.

Are we that stupid? Do we not learn from the most painful mistakes?

[saigon68]

17. The draft is coming, it is inevitable

Then those of us here will have choices to make. Do we counsel avoidance, do we actively help resisters?

Do we do nothing? Do we watch our neighbors children die? our brother's children die? the guy a block over die ?

Like the citizens of Fallujah we will then be called to make a stand.

[Coventina]

4. I remember myself at 18......

and how much I have changed and grown since then.

These kids will never have that opportunity.


BUSH, YOU ARE A MURDERING BASTARD!!!!!!!!!!

on edit: removed curse on Bush, on fear of invoking Nemesis on myself.
But the accusation stands.
:mad:

[ninkasi]

7. They are children

I am a mother, a grandmother, and in June will be a greatgrandmother. I deeply mourn all the lives lost on both sides, the maimed, and all of the savage destruction. Bush will never be able to atone for the blood he has caused to be shed for an obsession of his.

I am afraid that the United States has earned the reputation as a bully, as a swaggering country which observes no rules except the dictates of a power drunk sociopath.

[Amerpie]

8. Facts

Over half the people in the military are 21 or younger.

I was 18 when I enlisted.

So was my Dad.

My son was 17.

[kalian]

10. And its do because of....

the easy manipulation of youngsters' minds.
They are still very impressionable. Very "moldable". When you stand
in front of these kids giving a lecture you have tremendous power
to influence their way of thinking.
The proper methods is to encourage FREE THINKING in these kids and
not tell them what they should be thinking.

The old saying still rings true:
Young men fight and die in wars made by old men.

[oneighty]

9. I turned eighteen in Korea 21 June 1952

I was a very young seventeen. I look at the pictures of me and my ship mates from those days. Hey! We look like children. (Sigh) Pity the children.

A curse on you Mr. Bush*

180

[JitterbugPerfume]

11. my grandson turns 18 in Aug

He is a 6ft7in 250 lb baby boy It is heartbreaking . If he were in Iraq I would be sick with worry

[Wabbajack]

20. They sent minors to Korea?

[murielm99]

27. Yep...the Childrens Crusade.

Theat was in one of Vonnegut's books. Slaughterhouse Five, I think.

I look at my husband's pics from his service, and that is what I see, too. A Children's Crusade indeed.

[huellewig]

28. His son made a book..

"Garden of Eden" Freakey but a good read for Vonnegut fans..

[PsN2Wind]

13. Had a friend some years ago that went

into Viet Nam very early on. Was wounded first time out in the bush. Patched up, sent out again, wounded again. Once again being patched up. He told me he could see the handwriting on the wall then, they were just going to keep sending him out until Charlie killed his ass. Before he could be returned AGAIN to his unit, Congress passed law saying you had to be 18 years old to be "in country".

[shanti]

16. we lost sooo many young men in vietnam

too many...:cry:

[info being]

14. As they say, "Accelerate your life"

[fishnfla]

15. They didnt name Ryan Jerabek of Hobart WI

saigon 68 honored him earlier today. He'll be remembered. Small towns have long memories

[saigon68]

19. Yes they do

On Memorial day in 1987 a granite wall was dedicated to the soldiers who fell from Brown County WI in Viet-Nam. A park was pried from evil developers on the Fox River in the city of Green Bay $30,000.00 was raised and 53 young men were honored by having their names carved into a stone. 5000 people showed up on a rainy day in Green Bay and honored the 53.

A middle aged veteran got up and gave a speech the text of which was "never again will your children be sacrificed for nothing", the crowd wept as descriptions how the average young men who gave their youth forever were recounted.

Now the same bastards who started the last one are doing it all over again.

Forget hell No--- I was the one that gave that speech.

[Bushfire]

33. Here's the J/S story for those that missed it....

http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/apr04/220548.asp

[gate of the sun]

18. MY son will turn 18 in November

I can't even imagine him in this situation. He would probably shoot his foot off or something. He's big gangly and sort of uncoordinated but very smart. He's a baby, he's young. He hasn't even had sex yet. I'm so sorry for the familes. How terribly sad. I would be so outraged. I don't know if I could contain myself.

[nonbelief]

21. News Flash

Dozens of Iraqis below the age of 18 killed by Americans below the age of 21 this year.

Guess for whom I feel more sympathy?

[RummyTheDummy]

23. You should have plenty to go around for both

Most sensible people would.

[nonbelief]

24. Bull

I don't feel sympathy when I read about drafted German soldiers in Poland during WW2, and I don't feel sympathy for American volunteer soldiers in Iraq today.

So shoot me.

[RummyTheDummy]

26. I'm sorry you feel that way

NT

[abracadabra]

22. just wait for the DRAFT!! all 18 yr olds!!!

every 18 year old can get their chance to serve their corporation !!
And maybe even donate their lives !!
YEAH !!
Thanks Shrubby

[Dr Fate]

25. Those guys will never get to do all the FUN shit.

This is TERRIBLE.

[Snoggera]

29. My son is 16 and 1/2

and I am concerned about the upcoming, almost inevitable draft. 18 year olds should be planning on continuing their education, working at neighborhood jobs, and dating. They should not be sent half way around the world to kill people or be killed themselves.

Does the human race never learn anything? Are we still apes with sticks hitting other apes with sticks whenever we get the opportunity?

[RummyTheDummy]

31. Of course we're apes

That Wolf in your avatar has a lot more honor and decency than a lot of people I know.

[truthisfreedom]

30. our country does not assign restriction on the photography of underage

dead people. go figure. i want to see the bodies of every single one of these dead kids. i want to feel the pain. i fucking voted against this bastard. i want to fully feel the pain.

little faces of the dead IRAQ soldiers making up the image of the unelected fraud.

[Judi Lynn]

32. What a solemn, stunning idea. Hope Bush will see this

even though all efforts will be made to avoid his awareness of it, I'm sure.

So many, many people. What a terrible loss.