Soldier's reason for fighting in Iraq found in SoCal newspaper

Mercury News ^ | 28 AUG 05 | None

[Axhandle]

WILDOMAR, Calif. - In a letter to a local newspaper, Army Sgt. Nathan Bouchard explained why he was fighting in Iraq. "You ask, 'Why, why are we in the Middle East? Why don't we leave Saddam alone? Why do we even get involved?' It is because somebody has to," read Bouchard's letter, which was published in April 2003 in the Riverside Press-Enterprise. "Problems do not go away just by closing your eyes or turning your back or burying your head in the sand," Bouchard said. "This freedom we have was not free." He was raised in Wildomar, about 80 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Bouchard, 24, was one of four U.S. soldiers killed Aug. 18 in Samarra, Iraq, when a roadside bomb exploded near their Humvee. They were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. Spurred by the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Bouchard enlisted in the Army in May 2002 and was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. "Nathan believed in what he was doing," his mother, Alida Bouchard, said from the family's home in Cottonwood, Ariz. "He wrote, and he told us about the good things that they were doing in Iraq." A funeral service was scheduled Saturday at Cornerstone Community Church in Wildomar.

[goldstategop]

Its the heroes like Nathan Bouchard who never get the attention they deserve. They live quiet lives and serve their country faithfully without expectation of reward. And no man hath greater love than he who gives up his life for his country. But you won't hear his moving story in our MSM, whose story line is America sucks and why, we're fighting a losing war and its time to high-tail it outta Iraq. Bouchard's words are worth pondering and they measure the distance between true patriots and phony showboaters like Cindy Sheehan, who exploits her son's memory in the name of a purely self-serving cause. The measure of idealism in war is leaving generations to follow free to enjoy the fullest degree of freedom. We owe so much to the brave and honored dead like Nathan Bouchard that we owe them thanks we can never repay - along with a respectful salute to their dedication and depth of their sacrifice. God bless the USA.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[26lemoncharlie]

Our sons and daughter's do not die in vain. The Anti American Press has once again cheated a generation of American Hero's who have defeated tyranny and brought justice and peace to a troubled people. We, their parents will not forgive or forget those who are in power of the press.

[sgtbono2002]

You read about thousands being starved and having their houses torn down in Zimbabwe , we read about how Mugabe says he doesnt care because there are too many people alive anyway, You say somebody ought to do something about it, but when someone does something about it you cry and say it isnt our business. We removed Saddam, We are trying to set up a decent government in that country, We may fail, but we tried, while the rest of the world watches what is going on in Zimbabwe and stand there scratching their testicles.
We have our hands full in Iraq we cant do whats right for the whole world , there arent enough of us, and the bad guys are gaining because the rest of the world will do nothing but whine.

Then we have these dipshts like Cindy Sheehan who will be the first to stand and say , Oh the atrocities being done there are horrible, but will condemn anyone who tries to help in any way except sending money.Liberals think money can solve anything.

[armydawg1]

Sleep well America, with heroes like this, our freedom is guaranteed forever. Rest in peace GI.

[buckeye27]

I'd trade 10000 Cindy Sheehan's to have just one more person like this in the world. Thank you Sgt. Bouchard for your service, for your dedication, and for your sacrifice. We'll watch over your interests, the way you watched over ours.

[Khankrumthebulgar]

Our News Media and the Empty Suits in it are attempting to cause the American Public to turn against the war. They expect instant results. The Pentagon could do a better job of telling their story according to Colonel David Hunt than they are doing now. The DOD must not sugar coat things. The big lesson of VietNam is truth is better than a pleasant fiction. The American People can understand challenges but have no patience for deception. What deeply disturbs me is you get 3 activist idiots together and the media shows up. You get 3000+ who support the Troops and the Mission. You have to kidnap a media person to cover it.

This is Advocacy Journalism. We need to punish the Media groups that are aiding Al-Queda as they are supporters and enablers of Moonbats and Activists like Cindy Sheehan. The fact that her insane and outrageous statements are being edited by the typical cast of media characters tells you what is going on. Our Volunteers in the Military deserve our respect and honor, our appreciation and the honor they have
earned.

[DCPatriot]

Amen!