Posted on 03/21/2007 6:30:24 AM PDT by bnelson44
A National Guardsman from Chaska is promoting a petition for soldiers who want to finish the job in Iraq.
Monday marked the fourth anniversary of the U.S. and Coalition forces' invasion of Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein.
For 2½ of the four years since, David Thul, a 34-year-old Minnesota National Guard sergeant from Chaska, has been on active duty -- for a year in Kosovo and for the past year in Iraq.
Recently, Thul joined forces with a Navy lieutenant to send a letter to publications all over the United States, spreading the word that U.S. forces want to stay and finish the job in Iraq. They also have organized a petition drive to allow military personnel to make a formal "Appeal for Redress," the Department of Defense's sanctioned method for members of the military to communicate with Congress. ...
As of Monday, more than 1,700 men and women had signed onto the document online at appealforcourage.org.
The Star Tribune corresponded with Thul by e-mail about his efforts to influence opinion on the home front. Following are his answers to questions we posed:
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Q What is it in your background that has motivated you to do what you do?
A I was actually looking forward to getting out of the National Guard and having more free time until 9/11. Many people have tried to forget about the attacks and move on with their lives. But I believe that if we forget our history then we will be doomed to repeat it. When I have a long day over here, or things are going bad, I remember the passengers on United 93. With no training and very little hope, they fought back and saved untold lives. I try to live up to the example they set.
Q Is there any message you'd like to send to the people back home, for them to ponder in the days ahead?
A I would urge everyone to set politics aside and look at the war in Iraq dispassionately. The consequences of failure in Iraq would be terrible now, and tragic 20 years from now. With patience and support from home, we can finish the mission and come home with honor.
'We can finish the mission and come home with honor'
That was Nixon's publicly stated plan.....and that is exactly what he had begun, soon after taking office, by beginning the gradual troop withdrawal before the end of 1969.
But the lefties and democrats (Johnsons war, BTW) weren't having any of that - "Peace With Honor" (as Nixon called it) was just not to be, not if the Left and Democrats had anything to say about it. They had their hearings and legislated such that any chance for Honor was obliterated. And lots and lots of folks in Vietnam and Cambodia continued to die afterward.....millions, in fact, after the great Leftie/Democrat/Communist "victory".
Fast-forward to Iraq and the WOT......
BTT!
I'll sign that petition.
RLTW
OMG! sniffle
PINGING FYI. Pass link onto any military person you know so they can know they have recourse.
well said.
free dixie SMOOCH,sw
Good morning, sugar
SMOOCHES back atcha
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.