In the 10th Year of War, a Harder Army, a More Distant America (e - mail from my friend)

Politics Daily | 9/9/10 | David Wood

[CORedneck]

Concerning General Pershing, we definitely need a repeat of what he did to the muslim terrorists in that day ! They need another lesson.

[FreedomPoster]

That idea is very much at the fore in E.B. Sledge’s With the Old Breed, which I finished a week or so ago. This book is *the* definitive account of what it was like to be a front line Marine in the latter half of the Pacific War.

[FreedomPoster]

Ping. A week+ old, but something I’d be curious to see your thoughts on, given your vantage point.

[rlmorel]

I read that book for the first time within the last couple of years (how I missed that one, I can’t say) and I must say, it was a powerful, powerful book.

[ArrogantBustard]

Actually, the Moro War, in which the US fought Islamic extremists in the Philippines from 1902 to 1917 was fought entirely by professional soldiers. For some reason, that war seems to have been completely forgotten.

Hmmmm .... Moros ....

Where have I heard that before????

Oh, yes:

Moro ISLAMIC Liberation Front ....

"El Moro" is a Moor, or mohammedan, in Spanish.

[Allegra]

He is a contractor, he keeps going back and after a while I realized it was not for the money.

There are so many who don't understand that.

I've even been accused of nasty things by some FReepers, but it really isn't about the money.

I was going to do one year when I arrived here in January of '04, and then, the money was part of the motivation, but being a part of something like this was every bit as much a motivator.

I've been here six and a half years now. I kept coming back because while backbreaking at times, frustrating at other times, but the work is rewarding and goes so much further than just helping some CEO line his pockets.

Witnessing history is another factor that brings me back. It's exhausting, bad days are extra bad here being so far from home, and the climate and the environment can be abysmal, but when you get to see the progress that never gets reported and have a 50-yardline seat for amazing events, it's all worth it.

It stopped being remotely about money a long time ago.

[Allegra]

Ping. A week+ old, but something I’d be curious to see your thoughts on, given your vantage point.

Even though I'm not in the military, I can so relate to this:

'I Don't Have Anything Else to Talk About'

At home, I found few people could understand the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many say it's just too complicated, and are convinced that America is losing. In polls, two-thirds now say they oppose the war. As these polls were being taken in July, I was in Kabul, where Army Lt. Col. Michael J. Loos, on his fourth deployment, told me: "I know we are making effective progress. I see it every day. This may be the most important thing I've ever done in the military.''

It's even becoming more difficult for soldier and civilian to converse. Army Capt. Stefan Hutnik, a company commander in Afghanistan, recalls being home from a combat tour and being told by his wife, as they were headed out to a family dinner, please don't talk about the Army or the war.

"But,'' he said sadly, "I don't have anything else to talk about.''

I've been here a long time now. It's part of my life's fabric, but nobody back home wants to have any of it peppering my conversation. There's a definite disconnect and I sometimes feel like a visitor when I'm home.

I feel forced to discuss what everyone else is discussing, comment on everyone else's life, but Heaven forbid if I open a little peek into my own. And it is my life now, but I feel a little stifled.

Other people who have been over here a long time, both military and civilian have said the same things.

We see and experience these amazing things, and nobody back home wants to hear about it. And as the article says, we don't have much else to talk about afer having been here so long.

So, we have a tendency to withdraw.

Or come back.

[Allegra]

I could spend an enjoyable afternoon listening to some of your stories over a few cold beers.

Thank you for your service.

[Allegra]

I feel forced to discuss what everyone else is discussing, comment on everyone else's life, but Heaven forbid if I open a little peek into my own. And it is my life now, but I feel a little stifled.

I misspoke this. (I'm tired - I haven't had a day off since the two days I spent in the hospital when I was stricken with typhoid this past July...)

I love to catch up with everyone back home, hear what's been going on in their lives, see everyone again and just feel the "normal." At gatherings, I sometimes just sit and watch, enjoying how everyone seems so carefree and grounded.

It's the part where I can't really contribute anything relative to it and nobody wants to hear whatever I would contribute that makes me feel somewhat stifled.

Just wanted to get that clear lest there be any misperceptions. ;-)

[FreedomPoster]

I can’t imagine that, but then again, I know a lot more about the military, and about what is going on in Iraq and Afghanistan, than the average citizen. I would love to know/understand it better. I guess I just haven’t been in situations where I see average citizens interacting with folks like you and the military folks on this thread.

This is a really troubling thing, but I’m not sure what the answer is. In trying to understand it, I’m thinking that all the “Iraq war bad! Bush evil!” political propaganda we all heard for almost 7 years had to be part of the root of the problem.

[Allegra]

Thanks for your kind post.

I'm OK with it....I came to terms with it after my first year over here.

I'm writing a book. It's cathartic and who knows? Maybe it will get published and some people will want to buy it. :)

[STARWISE]

I’m writing a book. It’s cathartic and who knows? Maybe it will get published and some people will want to buy it. :)

~~~~

Hallelujah! I’m so thrilled you ARE doing
that .. it’ll be great! THANK YOU dearly ..
for ALL your loyalty and devotion to our
troops and the good old USA. We LOVE ya!

Be sure to keep us posted .. ;)

You are special. God bless and protect you,
and all those serving and supporting freedom.
Our awesome troops couldn’t do it without you.

This thread really brings home the singularly
unique life and outlook of the soldier. Very
poignant. I pray each one of them have a dear
loved one or simpatico buddy who will let them
talk about their lives and experiences .. that
has to be so vital.

I pray the boosted efforts to counsel the families
makes a much needed improvement. Our military
deserve all the love, listening and understanding
in the world.

[onyx]

Thanks for finding this thread, STARWISE!
(((((Allegra)))) God bless you.

[luvie]

Writing a book?? You rock, gal!

I wonder if it’s a “tell-all”...that could be interesting! LOL!

Seriously, after all you have seen and heard in the war-zone,
I would buy it. I expect there are many stories that have not
been told about what has happened in the Sandbox!

[MASS-2 FAC]

Allegra, Wow, this really sounds like you have just returned from Viet Nam. When I read this post, my mind raced back a lot of years.

You learn to keep your mouth shut, head down and move forward on your own.

Semper Fi

[Allegra]

Thanks for all of the encouraging words!

Yep...I'm still hanging in at Baghdad after almost seven years.

Right now, the thought of R&R next month is creeping into my focus...home, family, friends and attending a couple of (currently first place in their division) Texans games. Wooooohooooo!

[luvie]

I know you are looking forward to getting home for some fun
with friends and family!....and to see the Texans whup up
on someone! Woohoo!