"I'm Tired"

Letter | 2/23/07 | Repya

[pabianice]

"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

[YourAdHere]

Me too, Darkwing.

[YellowRoseofTx]

Joe's going to be looking for a job soon.

Joe for President

[jazusamo]

Thanks for your service and for speaking out, Lt. Col. Repya.

[IrishMike]

The bully pulpit was the most under utilized weapon by President Bush and the 109th Congress... to our demise in October.....
The media is a powerful enemy, we've seriously mis-underestimated just how far in the tank they'll go for the DRats, the 'news' and 'events' they choose to publicize and for whose benefit.

[ASOC]

Now home again, though less than before
His love and life, beside him now
Their life together, sprung again.
Still, laughter found, with no meadows run,
Together once more, life begun

And each told the other
So love, my love, my thanks
For you did remember, remember me.

So their fellows they now did ask
For duty done, for task fulfilled
For my price paid, beyond gold or geld
Will you remember, remember me?

[CBart95]

Thank you for your weary views. Many of us share your opinions but differ in our resolve as to how to proceed.

One course is without a doubt not reliable, inasmuch as it revolves mostly around a failed concept of self-will and lack of trust in a higher power. For many rugged individuals it appears suicidal to put one's trust in outworkings of Providance and let the enemy and external forces combine to ultimate defeat because hasty types read this as surrender and non-involovement...which of course it is certainly not.

The weary may seek respite and find renewal in the knowledge that others will carry the flag and continue the quest. Justice will be done and served no matter the cost or the price. We will be victorious and all of our enemies at home and abroad will be defeated.

[La Enchiladita]

A copy of this should be put on every democrat's desk and taped to their walls foreheads.

[RebekahT]

BTTT.

[Chgogal]

Just in case you missed this. Another former Vet who is tired.

[Chgogal]

BTTT! Thank you for posting this. I know it's been posted before, but I do like this letter so.

"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."

Oh man, how I do agree with this Soldier! Shame on us Baby Boomers (in general, not in particular).

[granite]

Lieutenant Colonel, I salute you, Sir.

[Stultis]

They put an end to that "immoral" war.

Oh, so that's what they mean by "ending a war"!

See, I always thought that "ending a war" meant bring hostilities to a close. Now I see that -- for 'Rats, the MSM and leftists in any case -- "ending a war" means stepping aside, cutting off aid to and deligitimizing those defending themselves against thuggish or totalitarian aggression, and letting the war escalate at the hands of an unleashed and unrestrained enemy, to the point where literally millions are murdered and tens of millions enslaved.

It's rather an odd way to "end war," but it's good to know that's what they mean!

[leadpenny]

former Vet

My list of redundancies grows. thanks.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070224/ap_on_re_us/death_in_iraq_ap_poll
Americans underestimate Iraqi death toll