PLEASE comment on my letter

[w8liftinglady]

http://www.thedailylight.com/articles/2008/09/11/opinion/doc48c99699bf33a328152816.txt

To the Editor,

As the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan rage on, the disproportionate burden our troops bear becomes more evident. Today, I would like to focus on Brigade Combat Teams (BCT). High-intensity combat is the norm for these frontline units. These units are also the most likely to serve multiple deployments.

Texas units have paid an extraordinarily high price in the war. While most BCT units lose 21 soldiers per deployment, Texas units have lost double that. Several Texas BCTs experienced dramatically higher fatality rates: the 3rd BCT/1st Cavalry Division lost 56 soldiers during its most recent tour, 167 percent above the average, and the 1st BCT/4th Infantry Division lost 57 soldiers from December 2005 to December 2006, 171 percent above the average. Altogether, Fort Hood has lost more soldiers than any other American military installation: 436 in the past five years.

These mortality rates, combined with multiple deployments and dwell times of less than a year between deployments, are causing a terrible strain to our troops and their families. Interestingly enough, there have been several pieces of legislation introduced to address this unbearable burden so few bear.

Senate Amendment 2909, introduced by Senator Jim Webb, specified minimum periods between deployment of units and members of the armed forces deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. It prohibited the deployment of members of the regular armed forces unless the time period between deployments is at least as long as the period of the previous deployment and prohibited the deployment of members of the reserve armed forces and National Guard if the member has been deployed within the preceding three years.

You would think that our legislators would favor something as critical as the welfare of our troops and their families, wouldn’t you? The amendment lost due to the votes of 44 Republicans. The following Senators voted nay: Cornyn, Hutchison and McCain. This is how these legislators support our troops-waving a flag while placing party loyalty ahead of the welfare of our troops.

Election day is soon. Research the voting records of your candidates before pulling the lever.

[eshfemme]

1. As someone with a friend in Iraq on their second tour of duty

I agree with this. He had at least one time when he should have had leave but didn't get it because they extended his tour on him. He can never speak in anything but generalities because he doesn't even know if they'll pull the carpet out from underneath him. He's an officer too so it's pretty bad... It's bad for troop morale and it also reduces effectiveness.

The infrastructure within the army is also antiquated from what I get from him and is also the reason why most officers are leaving the army instead of staying on as career officers because it takes too damn long to do anything to change it. My friend's planning on going into the private sector once his 5 years are up despite his initial plans on being in the Army forever and it's because of his frustration-- bright young talent is just being discouraged and ground down by all the bureaucracy that the Army has instituted. Sorry, this is a bit of a tangent.

[ailsagirl]

2. Excellent-- well-written and nails it

[w8liftinglady]

3. my editor will print all

[rgbecker]

4. It that the same McCain that voted against the new GI Bill?

Great letter, should go to every newpaper of every town near a US Army base.

[NanceGreggs]

5. Excellent ...

... as always!

:kick:

[w8liftinglady]

6. so,please check this one

[w8liftinglady]

7. so,please check this one

[w8liftinglady]

8. cmon=please

[w8liftinglady]

9. SO=reflect on this