PETER HALEY/THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Lt. Damon Armeni works on a weekly situation report Thursday. On his desk is a picture of his wife, Kim. Armeni, 27, serves with the Army’s first Stryker brigade.
Posted on 01/27/2006 10:03:32 AM PST by Cannoneer No. 4
PETER HALEY/THE NEWS TRIBUNE
Lt. Damon Armeni works on a weekly situation report Thursday. On his desk is a picture of his wife, Kim. Armeni, 27, serves with the Army’s first Stryker brigade.
By all means allow him to stay in the service...keep him on the "promotion track"...but keep him in a non-combat zone.
And,for the record,I joined in '69 to avoid the draft.I prayed like hell not to be assigned to SE Asia...and my prayers were answered for some reason.
Salute, God-speed, and THANKS!
I took it from the article that he wants to go back. I don't believe he is being forced in any way. I could be wrong.
I wish I had even 1% of his courage and resolve, and I wish that at least 1% of this country had that much as well.
As long as there are men like him there will always be a United States.
Doing "more than his share" is very subjective. Here's a young man, by all accounts the type of man this country needs and is so fortunate to have, who has chosen to be a military officer in the service of his country. I cannot think of a more noble cause or profession than this young officer and his family have chosen.
It doesn't surprise me to hear that someone who "prayed like hell" to have someone else do his duty to this country in '69 has no clue what a real man would think or do.
I thank God for men like Cpt. Armeni and pray that he receive the just rewards due him for his sacrifices and that he enjoys a long and successful life with his wife and children in whatever he decides to do.
A friend went to see his nephew return from Iraq. This is an excerpt from the e-mail he sent me. I would appreciate comment.
It seems returning soldiers at Fort Benning are greeted with empty bunks
without sheets or pillows and have to buy their housing basics. A wife
of one soldier decided to raise some money to buy at least some basics
for each returning soldier, making their bed for them before they
arrive, like any decent motel would, I suppose.
I sat up for three nights until dawn listening to stories from a few of
the soldiers that stayed in our cabin. The beer supply suffered heavy
casualties, mostly from the soldiers. Guys 15, 20 years my junior can do
a better job opening bottles.
I got a closer view of the conditions in Iraq. One thing I didn't expect
was the resentment the soldiers felt toward the Bush administration. A
consistent point of contention was the lack of respect the soldiers felt
from their own government. (I guess I was naive.) I've heard plenty of
anti-war talk elsewhere. But this was quite different than listening to
a standard anti-Bush rant. The soldiers aren't exactly thrilled to see
their friends dying and getting wounded while the president, as they
say, ignores reality.
The soldiers were simply at a loss to justify why they had to put a
friend in a bag, and then another--and we're talking true friends.
Everyone at the table lost a friend in Iraq. None of the soldiers
complained about their own injuries. One NCO staying with us had been
injured twice, on two separate missions, with shrapnel through his lungs
and neck. The other was missing huge chunks of his back.
You understand as well as anyone the very close-knit world of a soldier
and the brotherhood that develops. Civilians just don't realize how it
works.
A "real man" also has an obligation to his wife and child. This guy has done his duty and could be of great assistance stateside. He should stay home and help raise the next generation of "real men".
Man. That is hardcore.
I heard the same thing. A friends son said at a welcome home party. They love their job but are wondering why they are there. They need to come home soon.
I wish there was some elaboration here. The grief of losing friends is obvious. But the claim that the President is "ignoring reality" requires some explaining in order to have impact.
Ah,excuse me...I *joined* in 1969.When I say I did it to avoid the draft,I mean that I assumed that I would probably have been called eventually because I didn't qualify for any deferments.When I joined,I was *not* being "pursued" by my draft board.And,while in BCT in Dec of '69,my draft lottery number came up *327*.So,in other words,if I hadn't joined,I almost certainly could have legally avoided service.No,I could never claim to have been a hero while serving as can the Lieutenant (and many others during this nation's history,but *don't you dare* imply that I'm some kind of coward!!!!!!!!!!
I agree.But the point I'm trying to make is that he's already given several parts of his internal organs in service to his country.To me,that means that he's been "in harm's way" long enough.
Must be something in the water at Ft. Benning. That sure isn't the attitude I see with the troops passing through Ft. Lewis.
Well put...far better than I did.
I tend to agree, there are indeed, different kinds of courage. Joining before being drafted to enter a role that you are best suited for is perfectly acceptable.
I know men who were raving heros one day, sniveling babies the next and back to the other the following. Everyone responds to stressful situations differently, and just because one performs well once does not mean one will do so again. Luck and opportunity do play a large role. I fault no one for not being on the front, logistically it is impossible for us all to be there and we aren't all wired for it.
Thanks for your service.
No,I think you're correct.That's one reason why I have so much respect for the Lieutenant.But I'm still in 100% agreement with post #10.
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