Very Sad Encounter With Soldier Heading BACK to Iraq

[Justice]

Yesterday, while shopping for sporting goods for our family (we are all laughing and excited about being able to use these items), we met a young man in the Army who is scheduled to go back to Iraq next month for his THIRD tour of duty there.

I don't want to post too many specific details here so as not to get him in trouble. But clearly, he suffers from depression - he is worried about the injury received on his last tour - and that it may affect his ability to protect himself on this tour. He fears dying.

I was so sad - feeling badly that we were having fun, yet he was in turmoil. You could see it in his face. I walked back to him while my SO was paying, and gave him my business card. I told him to email me if he goes back, so that we can send him care packages - that it was the least I could do for him. I told him that no matter what I or anyone else thinks about the war, we do want to help those that fought and are fighting there.

This person is not the only one out there - being told they have to go back, even though they have an injury that requires physical therapy and recuperation. His commanders are telling him the unit "requested him back" they "want him back" --

[Minnesota Libra]

1. I posted something about our soldiers as well, from their view..........

...on this war. I hated this administration for doing this to our young people. :cry:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1251657

[ClintonTyree]

2. Thanks for that........

please keep us informed if and when you hear from him. DU could come up with one hell of a care package for him, I'm sure. Hate the war, not the warrior. You did a great thing talking to him like that, let's hope he keeps in touch with you. :yourock:

[DemonFighterLives]

3. That was nice of you

This stupid administration has hurt many men and women and their families beyond belief. I nearly cried the other day watching the McNeil Lehrer scroll of the dead. 46 year old 1st sargent, 18 year old from MI whose steel pot didn't even fit his little head. 21 year olds etc. These guys are too young to end it all for the knucklehead in chief.
:dem:

[bunkerbuster1]

16. Sometimes I watch the Newshour honor roll in respectful silence

And sometimes I just want to bawl my eyes out.

I'm glad they run it, though.

[Broken_Hero]

17. I'm the same way

I go through the list of casulaties once a month...seeing all the men/women who have died...a lot of them A LOT of them are 28 and younger...a bunch 18-22...I'm not much of a crier, but going through that list, gets me going. I started checking it out, cause a good handful of my old high school buds, are military...

[DemonFighterLives]

23. My friend and I were talking about it

The subject was young deaths. We had 3 die on prom night here in MN. A 15 year old was driving daddy's Vette and a young boy and girl in another car all died in a head-on.
Missing life, just like the young troops.
:argh:

[Kagemusha]

4. It's too bad, but the odds of living don't suck so much in reality

It's not exactly WWI on the Western front. It is, however, a restless, nerve-wracking environment. If this guy's lucky enough to make it out in one piece, being rattled isn't fun either. Not at all. I don't envy that position.

Unfortunately, Iraq's a subject that goes beyond individual suffering.

[kstewart33]

5. Yes, please keep us posted about how he is doing.

I hope that he stays in touch with you.

[Justice]

6. I do too, thanks.

I really feel for him. He is a kid really.

[90-percent]

7. Why so whiney?

We've had the neocons tell us the death rate for servicemen in Iraq is comparable to the murder rate in Washington D.C.

You don't hear people that work and live in D.C. gettin all fearful and whiney about having to do that, do you?

I say, SUCK IT UP, SOLDIER.

-85% Jimmy

:sarcasm:

[Justice]

8. I know you are being sarcastic,

and so I am not responding to your comment directly, but I have to say that it is easier to talk about Servicemen in Iraq (general group of thousands) and talking to one young scared man in a sporting goods store with a defective body part, who has eyes that are terrified, and who is searching your face trying to see if you care about him, the war or this country.

[Roland99]

9. How many chickenhawks and keyboard commandoes would support troops

like you just did?!

Wondrous gesture! Simply wondrous!

[Mr_Spock]

10. Thanks for supporting this guy.

After watching the 48 hours mystery about soldiers who murdered one of their own based on his knowing of possible atrocities they committed in Iraq (thankfully they are all going to jail) and the 20% of soldiers who ADMIT they have mental issues, I can so understand why this soldier is depressed. I hope the care packages you send him help to keep his spirits up.

:(

[90-percent]

11. My true feelings

My true feelings about the servicemen in this war is that:

This administration has committed the emotional equivilent of RAPE on each and every one that they had shipped to Iraq.

Our troops should be put in harms way only in the most dire of circumstances and only as an absolute last resort.

Not because our deserter-in-cheif wants to play "war-prezident".

I guaren-fucking-tee you that if Bush or Cheney had actually served in the military during Viet Nam in a real combat situation they would not have concocted this wrong for all possible reasons War Crime.


-85% Jimmy

[madokie]

12. The people who have been in war will be the first to say No War

so sad for him and all the other hims and hers. All brought to us by way of lies to further pnac's mission of world dominance.

[tblue37]

15. You mean like Colin Powell,

who helped sell the war?

[madokie]

21. I guess there is always exceptions to any rule.

[tomreedtoon]

19. No they won't, 'cause they'll be traumatized or dead.

I've become convinced that Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and the Whole Sick Crew have determined that our soldiers are an expendible resource. They will make sure they are dead, or so depressed or shellshocked, that they will drop out of politics - or life - even if they come home. Heck, they're forcing the soldiers's families to go on welfare or beg churches for food and supplies. What makes you think they want to see the soldiers themselves alive?

[madokie]

22. to be spent like money at the craps table.

Not sure what I'm saying because I am not a gambler

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

13. Thanks for your kindness

It's how we all need to regard our GI's. They didn't ask for the occupation of Iraq, they happened to be in the service when W started it.

[Fleshdancer]

14. I hope he takes you up on your offer and emails you...

and if he does, don't forget to ask DUers if we want to add to the care package. :hug:

[happydreams]

18. He shouldn't have volunteered. nt

[wtmusic]

20. Maybe he thought he was going to help protect people like you. nt

[happydreams]

24. The road to hell is paved....

[Lars39]

25. Haven't you ever heard of an 'economic' draft?