Rep. Bishop doesn’t speak for the Marines (Great editorial read)

Albany Hearld ^ | 02/21/2007 | KAREN KEMP

[devane617]

I read with great interest the column by Congressman Sanford Bishop regarding his vote on the non-binding resolution to “support our troops, but to oppose the president’s plan to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq.”

As the wife of an active duty Marine officer, for me they are one and the same. But that is a discussion for another day.

I want to call into question the congressman’s statement that “72 percent of Americans who served in Iraq last year believe that we should be out by now.”

I’d love to know where the congressman got that data.

My husband has 18 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and we’ve had the opportunity to get to know hundreds of Marines and their families personally.

In all these years, I have never had a single Marine tell me that he or she believes we should be out of Iraq.

In fact, the retention rate of Marines who have been to Iraq is higher than for those who have never been. Congressman Bishop, I challenge you to verify that for yourself.

My husband has been to Iraq four times and once to Afghanistan. During one Iraq deployment, he was in Camp Fallujah at the height of tension there.

The congressman says he has sent off thousands of soldiers from Fort Benning.

When my husband left for Iraq from the Albany airport, there were no bands playing or politicians waving flags and shaking hands. There was just our family, waving at his plane from the tarmac.

Never once, in each of those trips to the airport, did I question why he was going or whether it was worth the sacrifice our family was making.

So, Congressman, when you stated that 72 percent of service members think we should be out of Iraq right now, you obviously weren’t talking about United States Marines.

KAREN KEMP Albany

[USMCWife6869]

Thanks!

And thanks to all for the advice. We have an appointment with the Principal next week.

[Marine_Uncle]

Sounds like this supposed representative was born and raised on fairly tales and still believes them. Frigen clown.

[jmaroneps37]

Thank you for your beautiful statement Ma'am, but this is pearls before swine.

[Potts Mtn. Pappy]

I'm an old (71 yrs) Marine. Please place me on your ping list.

Thanks

[freema]

Gotcha : )