8 Bodies Found in Raid Were U.S. Soldiers

AP | 4/05/03

[Fred Mertz]

The Iraqis can murder wrench monkeys.

This news infuriates me.

[The Shrew]

I have no words for those men and woman. Only prayers.

Regards,

TS

[Aerohawk]

6 more brave men!

[Lijahsbubbe]

I saw touching footage of Spc. James Kiehl being baptized while in the desert. His father said the thing getting him thru right now were letters and cards of support.

He was only 22 years old. A beautiful young man.

I pray for the families of those murdered and those still missing.

[kattracks]

Yes.

[Anamensis]

Every last one of these fallen are younger than I am. Just. But still... one of those things to make one brood.

[abner]

I thought it was 4 men and the one woman.

I pray they come home safe. All of our soldiers.

[Jeff Head]

FYI

Chief Warrant Officer Johnny Villareal Mata, 35, of Amarillo, Texas

God rest all of their souls and comfort their loved ones.

[seeker41]

2 Apache choppers pilots POW status as well.

[stands2reason]

Oh God--God bless their families, and may they be comforted by Your hand...

[freepersup]

IMHO, the Army needs to adopt far more agressive tactical combat skills / philosophy, regarding basic and advanced training of it's soldiers, akin to what the Marines do. With the Marines, everyone is first and foremost a rifleman / grunt / infantryman, which gives them the ability to form up fire teams, provide protective cover fire, etc., instinctively.

I am in no way second guessing the men and women of the 507th, as they were ambushed after becoming separated from the convoy which they were traveling in.

It would be interesting to know how much ammo each soldier had on their person. My guess is possibly two 20 round magazines in an ammo pouch and another 20 rounds in their weapon. Probably few hand grenades if any, amongst the lot of them. Doubtful anything heavier was available, weapon wise. I have a hunch that any extra 5.56 ammo was stored in such a way that getting to it was next to impossible. Likely crated and up in the back of a deuce and a half with the company's other supplies.

Tragic circumstances...

[Anamensis]

I'm so tired but I just can't go to bed. I just keep listening to Fox, surfing Free Republic, and wondering what has happened, what will happen...

[Aerohawk]

You're absolutely correct on that. Back in 1994 or sometime around there it seems like I remebmer the Army went to a "stress free" basic training.

Enlistments were down and they wanted to put the word out that basic training wasn't the "hell" that everyone imagined it to be.

Since then, it seems like they have lowered many other standards as well.

[Rollee]

We do, and I have been praying for her and her family constantly. I pray for all of the soldiers, and the pows, but a woman pow will suffer a particularly degrading form of abuse. My heart goes out to the families of those brave soldiers that were found. I hope God eases their pain a bit.

[secret garden]

You're not alone.

[zeaal]

Bless them and God bless their families with comfort and peace during these times.

[dandelion]

Ah God. For the families, for the loved ones who will never see them again, it is the ultimate price to pay for Freedom.

At last, some who were lost are found. We must now pray for those who are not yet found - is there yet another angel to step forward and help us bring them safely home?

[dandelion]

You are among the many of us. I'm so tired, but I keep thinking hitting reload, praying someone will come on and say the others have been rescued.

[bonfire]

The Mansions of the Lord

From We Were Soldiers



To fallen soldiers let us sing

Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing

Our broken brothers let us bring

To the Mansions of the Lord



No more bleeding, no more fight

No prayers pleading through the night

Just divine embrace, eternal light

In the Mansions of the Lord



Where no mothers cry and no children weep

We will stand and guard though the angels sleep

Through the ages safely keep

The Mansions of the Lord

[Squantos]

Yeah I saw that.......America's Hero's.........God Bless them all !