150 Iowa reservists begin training for Iraq

[unhappycamper]

150 Iowa reservists begin training for Iraq
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Sep 17, 2007 20:45:41 EDT

DES MOINES, Iowa — About 150 Marine reservists received tearful goodbyes from friends and family Monday as they boarded buses for combat training and an eventual deployment to Iraq.

The Marines are members of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, based at Fort Des Moines. They will be trained in California for three months before heading to Iraq in January for about seven to eight months, Marine officials said.

Company E, the only Marine reserve outfit in Iowa, was previously deployed to Iraq from September 2004 to April 2005.

~snip~

Deb Forsyth of Swisher wore a red, white and blue shirt that read, “We Don’t Surrender to Terrorists” as she bid farewell to her son, Staff Sgt. Josh Harris, 30.

Like the other Marines, Harris carried an assault rifle and a camouflage pack as he climbed aboard the chartered bus that was headed to the Des Moines airport.

“They are ready to go and they have been there before,” Forsyth said. “I know they are going to do a great job defending our country.”


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/09/ap_desmoinesmarines_070917/



uhc comment: “I know they are going to do a great job defending our country.” Defending our country against what? Stupidity? Hubris? Grrrrrr

[Marrah_G]

1. Some people have to rationalize to get through the fear

It is far easier to say good bye if you convince yourself that it is for a noble cause.

Please don't judge her to harshly. She is in a very scary place mentally right now.

[w8liftinglady]

3. I was there the first time my son went.

I was over it by the second deployment...I was mad and felt betrayed by my country.By the third time..

[Maggie_May]

2. These people are brainwashed

Iraq is not the war on terrorists. Why can't these people get it? Iraq did not attack us on 911 or any other time. I just don't get it are these people blind?