Fear for 2 More as Daughter Dies in Iraq

New York Times ^ | 4-12-04

[SJackson]

EW BERLIN, Wis., April 12 (AP) — With three daughters serving with the National Guard in Iraq, Jack and Lori Witmer had a Web site with photos from Baghdad, notes to home and messages of encouragement.

A recent entry said: "Keep praying! They're almost home!"

But a notice on the site dated Sunday had grim news: "We regret to inform you that Michelle Witmer was killed in action April 9th."

Ms. Witmer, 20, a private in the 32nd Military Police Company, died when her Humvee was attacked in Baghdad. Her family is hoping her sisters will not return to Iraq after this week's funeral. The military has said the decision is up to the soldiers.

"I can't live another year like I've lived this one," John Witmer said. "The sacrifice that this family's made can never be understood by someone who hasn't gone through it."

The sisters, Charity, Michelle's twin, and Rachel, 24, arrived home on Monday, two days before Michelle's funeral, and indicated they would consider their options, Mr. Witmer said. "In the end, it is going to be my girls' decision."

[ValerieUSA]

What a weenie you are! You're falling for this like a dead tree in a storm.

The girls wanted an education, so they joined the military service. They could have gotten loans, or Dad could have sent them to school. But they chose this.

The enemy is served by these fears and the public whining. This family needs to shut up instead of dishonoring the volunteer service.

[Brian Allen]

<< .... what else has to happen? >>

Absolute defeat of America's and Civilization's deadly enemies.

Absolute Victory for US.

[Next?]

[janette]

Yes bring them all home now!!!!!!!!

And what about "contractors"??????.......
WHO lured a poor bankrupt dairy farmer onto this dangerous region, with a promise of $100,000.oo, for a year as a fuel truck driver, after the wife had open heart surgery a year ago(lots of bills to pay, not covered by HEALTH-INSURENCE),
by the way, how many people can get health insurance, just invest the money the war cost into direct support for the intensive surch for a good overall solution of covering every American citizen with decent Health Insurance....
OK I lost track

Back again to this dairy farmer from Mississippi.....
who trained him for the danger and who is responsible.
Friends, I'm just very bitter right now and have to vent, but everything I wrote, I mean it!

[cherry]

The Guard and Reserve , in those units kept up to snuff, is a full time committement....your skills, your weight, your physical being, your advancement in rank.....

Meeting with others, people like yourself who are perhaps working right out of HS or attending college, these people become your peer group....not satisfied to be like the other non-college kids or the college kids...they want more...

that means that they can work 5 days a week or go to college 5 days a week and then go to drill weekend...that means 12 days straight without a day off.....talk about committement....

Making it in the Guard or Reserve successfully means that you are finding not only direction, but a purpose.....

[annyokie]

theoretic ?

What does this mean? We joined the Guard for the GI benefits, eg college funding? We never figured we'd be asked to serve our country? I am sorry for their loss, but girls do not belong in combat zones. And no, I am not sorry for my non PC POV.

[ValerieUSA]

Yeah, Iraqi insurgents love your bitterness.

[annyokie]

What a weenie you are! You're falling for this like a dead tree in a storm. The girls wanted an education, so they joined the military service. They could have gotten loans, or Dad could have sent them to school. But they chose this. The enemy is served by these fears and the public whining. This family needs to shut up instead of dishonoring the volunteer service.

Well said! And you beat me to it!

[Nita Nupress]

Get a grip, lady.

[armymarinemom]

Yes bring them all home now!!!!!!!!

You obviously missed the whole point of my post. Please do not ever use any part of anything that I post for a Bring Them Home Now message. I am deeply offended by such words and have had a belly full of anti-war antics. What you have quoted is just as offensive to me as what the liberal media has done to this whole story.

Please pay attention to my tag line before you go there.

[teletech]

How many more and (truly, think out of the usual and think deeper) tell me for what, please.......I'm just very upset about all these precious children dying . Every day more and more.......what else has to happen????!!!!

AMERICANS DON'T RUN janette! WE FIGHT! If you can't grasp that concept, maybe you're in the wrong country!

[janette]

annayokie, I still watch the networks,

BUT my knowledge comes from reading all day long the international Newspapers on the INTERNET, (knowing English, German and French helps)

My GLOBE-Cast satellite for my German TV offers me just as a side affect, Arabian and Asian TV, they often send their programs in English, so I'm pretty much wide-informed what's going on.
American broadcasting is so heavy manipulated and restricted that I fear, "Freedom of Speech" (what should include pictures) is right now under this administration (Ashcroft)not possible. Still, remember I'm venting because I'm suffering about all these young people and all the civilians dying and I still don't know for what!!!!!!


What a blessing to have the INTERNET and not being dependent on controlled networks!

[Indy Pendance]

I have a daughter serving. May God take this brave woman into his arms and protect her and may he watch and protect her sisters. Her parents are grieving, please do not be harsh on them, it is their initial reaction to a media that is searching for these stories. My daughter will be going to Iraq mid May and doesn't fear death, God is with her, she's told me, she fears what terrorists may do to our country more so than dying for her country .... These women should be revered and honored as the soldiers they are. God speed to this family, may He guide and protect them in their time of grief.

[Let's Roll]

"The problem with liberals is that when the consequences of their decisions come back to them they don't like them."

They like the consequences just fine - this just gives them one more thing to beat the military over the head with. Anything that weakens or harrasses the military - and women in combat sure qualifies - is a priority.

[pgkdan]

American broadcasting is so heavy manipulated and restricted that I fear, "Freedom of Speech" (what should include pictures) is right now under this administration (Ashcroft)not possible.

i don't know how in the world you managed to find your way here but I would suggest that you lay off the internet German and French newspapers and spend more time reading postings here.

[Dubya]

[janette]

But that would have been my next point!!!!
The lack of possibility's of education or economics in their region drives a lot of young people to the Army, but when it's getting serious, they complain...and realize, what they did!!
Now they sit in the sh.t and don't know, how to get out of it.......
So right now, we are at the point, where patriotism comes in........!!!!!

Don't tell me, that all of these young people went to the Army, to be good Americans to defend their country....They went because lot's of them are desperate to do a living and somehow earn some money to create a family or get an education.
Don't tell me all of them are patriots to go to war !

[Indy Pendance]

ping

[janette]

I'm just right in this country, which I truly love and chose by our own desission. We are free to live wherever we wont(almost).
But we chose to stay her, because we love this contry, the people, the culture and the spirit.
We pay our taxes and don't try to sneek out (Cayman, Bahamas or something like that) We just forfill our duties and enjoy to be members of this society.
That gives me the right, to offer my feelings.

I CAN BE A GOOD REPUBLICAN< WITHOUT CONFIRM THIS ADMINISTRATION!!!!!