Lt. Col's Letter re Iraq: "I'm Tired"

StrategyPage.Com ^ | 7/20/06 | LtCol Joe Repya, USA

[llevrok]

"I'm Tired"

Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth month of duty in Iraq, I was forced to return to the USA for surgery for an injury I sustained prior to my deployment. With luck, I'll return to Iraq to finish my tour.

I left Baghdad and a war that has every indication that we are winning, to return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971 after my tour in Vietnam. Maybe it's because I'll turn 60 years old in just four months, but I'm tired:

I'm tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican who lack the courage, fortitude, and character to see these difficult tasks through.

I'm tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history when the going gets tough.

I'm tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they 'Support the Troops' by wanting them to 'Cut and Run' before victory is achieved.

I'm tired of a mainstream media that can only focus on car bombs and casualty reports because they are too afraid to leave the safety of their hotels to report on the courage and success our brave men and women are having on the battlefield.

I'm tired that so many Americans think you can rebuild a dictatorship into a democracy over night.

I'm tired that so many ignore the bravery of the Iraqi people to go to the voting booth and freely elect a Constitution and soon a permanent Parliament.

I'm tired of the so called 'Elite Left' that prolongs this war by giving aid and comfort to our enemy, just as they did during the Vietnam War.

I'm tired of antiwar protesters showing up at the funerals of our fallen soldiers. A family who's loved ones gave their life in a just and noble cause, only to be cruelly tormented on the funeral day by cowardly protesters is beyond shameful.

I'm tired that my generation, the Baby Boom - Vietnam generation, who have such a weak backbone that they can't stomach seeing the difficult tasks through to victory.

I'm tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of captives than they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.

I'm tired that when we find mass graves it is seldom reported by the press, but mistreat a prisoner and it is front page news.

Mostly, I'm tired that the people of this great nation didn't learn from history that there is no substitute for Victory.

Sincerely, Joe Repya, Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army, 101st Airborne Division

[McGavin999]

I completely understand. I've been pretty much thinking the same thing.

[MikeA]

I'm really not sure how your comments relate to anything I said. When did I ever say we have anything to learn from terrorists?? Color me confused.

[operation clinton cleanup]

Judging by the headline, I was expecting a letter written by an unnamed source!

[MEG33]

This member of the choir says AMEN!

Thanks ..great letter.He and our troops deserve so much better from our media and the doomsayers..God bless him.

[Cobra64]

A lot of people in this country do not deserve this man. I'll stop now for obvious reasons. (tears)

[tioga]

God bless our servicemen.

[Northern Yankee]

Great...

[capydick]

Tonight on Hardball:

101st Colonel says he's tired, compares Iraq to Vietnam!!! Puts blame on Republicans!!

[Reddy]

Lt. Col. Repya,

You have every reason to be tired for every reason stated.

You ARE doing a great job, one that you can be proud of.

We support you 100%.

God bless our troops.

[1 spark]

Great post. I wish Rush, on radio....and O'Reilly, on TV...would read this letter on air. More people need to know the good that is going on...and how the lefties and PC politicians demoralize our troops. God bless this man...and all of our service men and women.

[llevrok]

Ping for a letter from a "tired" Lt Col.in Iraq. Worth reading in the air, Mark. Reliable source too (note posting link).

Thanks
-llevrok

[AmeriBrit]

Another one that won't see the light of day by the MSM, so

it's up to us to get the truth out and beat the MSM at

their own game........Pass this on and everyone like it to

everyone in your address book.

God Bless you Lieutenant Colonel Joe Repya,

and all our dedicated military, past and present.

[livius]

Excellent, excellent points.

I'm about his age, and sometimes I think there have been two alternate realities during our lifetimes. He and I obviously picked one of them, but the problem is that the press, the academics and the influential people picked the other.

I too am very distressed by what is going on, and it doesn't affect only this country.

I seriously believe there are people in Iraq who want to be free and live a normal decent life, go out and water their (still nonexistent) lawns and fret about their water bills, send their kids off to college and fret about their kids, etc. But the press and the left of this country want them to be embroiled in a permanent war, as long as they can find folks who will go out and scream on-cue that they hate the EEEVIL USA.

I can understand why this man feels the way he does.

[ArmyTeach]

A big salute to COL Repya. There's a history here, and I suspect an honorable and patriotic one. Not too many 60 year old LTCs around.

[mystery-ak]

We are all tired....just like the LtCol..

[SandRat]

Says it all....!!!!!

[GOP Poet]

Thanks Joe! God Bless you and your family!!! Thanks too to the poster.

[savedbygrace]

Here's some more info on Repya:

http://www.uscglightshipsailors.org/joe_repya.htm

[verity]

I suspect that this is a fictitious character.

a. There is no date on the alleged letter nor a specific unit of assignment.
b. If the letter was written in July, he will not be returning to join the 101st IN Iraq.
c. At his age, it is unlikely that he is serving on Active Duty. There is a remote possibility that he could have been recalled to AD because of some special skill.

[Criminal Number 18F]

Lots of Repya's letters from Iraq have shown up on the Power Line blog.

One of many reasons it's my favourite blog.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F