[TXnMA]

In the fall, Congress earmarked sufficient funds to pay for both new up-armored Humvees and armor kits to modify existing vehicles in the 2003 defense supplemental, which included $177 million in Humvee money.

I'm happy to see my tax dollars go for whatever it takes -- to protect our troops!

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BTW, immediately prior to opening this thread, I got an e-mail from "#2 Son", 82nd ABN's "Sgt Chris"!

(SUBJECT: Lovely Iraq!)

"I'm OK & at a Firebase south of Baghdad; been an interesting couple of days here ..."

"Living conditions are pretty good; better than the last time I was here!!!"
["last time" = 1991 -- Desert Storm... TXnMA]

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Lord, please help us give Sgt Chris and all our troops who go into harm's way all the tools they need to protect themselves. But, more importantly, please wrap them in Your loving arms of care -- and bring them safely home to all those who love them.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Amen, TX.

So glad you heard from your Sgt. Chris, and that he has a sense of humor ~ and perspective. (^:

Did he hear this speech?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Acting Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee visited the Iraq-bound 82nd Soldiers for two hours just prior to their departure via two C-17 aircraft. Four additional flights took the remainder of the brigade Jan. 16.

“Over the next two months, 250,000 Soldiers will be on the move in and out of Iraq -- the biggest Army movement since World War II,” Brownlee said. “To minimize the danger, we need somebody who already has combat experience. Sorry you got picked on again. When you are really good, you get picked on.”    Link

[windchime]

"Lord, please help us give Sgt Chris and all our troops who go into harm's way all the tools they need to protect themselves. But, more importantly, please wrap them in Your loving arms of care -- and bring them safely home to all those who love them."

Amen.