Posted on 03/16/2010 10:47:08 PM PDT by Daffynition
On a dusty afternoon in a squalid U.S. Army base in eastern Baghdad, the world seemed to cave in on Spec. Joe Sanders. On daily patrols, soldiers around him were being killed and grievously wounded by improvised roadside bombs. The sweltering August heat and stink of Baghdad were oppressive. He was thousands of miles from home. And he had just learned that his wife -- his lifeline to the sane, normal world -- wanted a divorce.
What kind of woman would do that to a man in his situation. He is better off without her!
Very true. It is very tough on our guys over there without getting 'the letter'. Wishing this young soldier all the best in his future.
Amen to that.
What a horrible thing to do! I’ve been here, and it’s not fun. Not in combat but being away for work and getting the ‘letter’.
It happens to some of the ones left at home, too.
It’s not always the one back home sending the letters.
Sometimes the male and female military hook up and it’s the one that has been holding the fort back home that gets the dump.
Military lifestyle is hard for all involved.
That is why many years ago soldiers were advised to marry military brats (children of military families) in lieu of nonmilitary. Children of military families are use to seeing dad gone for months, moving every three years and more important see how mom develops coping characteristics to endure the sacrifice for country and father.
This one freaked me out years back while we were stationed there.
http://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/03/us/suicide-in-front-of-recruits.html?pagewanted=1
Suicide in Front of Recruits
Published: November 3, 1994
PARRIS ISLAND, S.C., Nov. 2 A Marine drill instructor climbed onto a swimming pool diving platform on Monday, put a rifle to his chin and shot himself to death in front of dozens of recruits. At least 59 recruits said they saw the shooting.
Very true! My dad was career Navy/AF and was gone a lot and for long periods of time. My mother was true blue. She knew how to do it all and to add to her accomplishments she crossed the Pacific for 18 days on a Navy transport bound for Japan with six thrown’ up kids and three days in a typhoon. She didn’t whince, but prayed a lot!
Indeed military life is not for the weak.
Sexual assualt and suicide probably comprise 80% of the AFN PSAs now.
I’ve been there, had it done to me and watched it happen to others.
I know it is hard to be away from someone you love but that is not the time to be getting a dear John letter or email.
When it happened to me I started taking stupid chances and endangered others around me. I didn’t take long before I was made to stand down for a few days and get a handle on things. I still didn’t care if I lived or died but I took care of those who counted on me.
As for the women who pull this crap. There will come a day when someone repays them in kind and I won’t feel sorry for them.
The PSAs on Freedom Radio tend to be funnier.
Kind of stupid, but in a funny way.
Suicide in Front of Recruits Published: November 3, 1994
PARRIS ISLAND, S.C., Nov. 2 A Marine drill instructor climbed onto a swimming pool diving platform on Monday, put a rifle to his chin and shot himself to death in front of dozens of recruits. At least 59 recruits said they saw the shooting.
Stories like this lead me to believe that some people who commit suicide are just being mean but killing themselves in front of a group of highly innocent unsuspecting people.
Well, at least he didn't kill anyone else first before he took his own life.
I am glad that you survived.
There are lots of fish in the sea. But when you're twenty years old deployed overseas or on a ship or remote base . you don't have the sense of perspective that being even a few years older and in civilian life for a while gives you.
I can only hope the older and wiser senior NCO's are trying to stay on top of this with their troops.
As for the women back home who dumped these guys... Well, look at it this way: People usually get what they deserve in life. Whether it's just old fashioned karma or the fact that birds of a feather flock together, or whatever, she may very well wind up with a series of abusive and/or lazy boyfriends or husbands and realize that the ex-military guy she dumped (who by then would likely has a loving wife and a family of his own) was the best thing she had.
And thank God for his buddy and his presence of mind.
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