Posted on 10/25/2007 1:18:42 PM PDT by TheDon
Ismael Rougle knew. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War and suffered the loss of good friends there.
...
And though she liked to pretend otherwise, Nancy Rougle knew, too. Her son feared that this would be his final combat tour and had told her so. They all knew the cost of war. "But not like this," sighed Ismael Rougle as he struggled to consider a world without his eldest son, Larry. "No, not like this." Ismael Rougle learned Tuesday afternoon that his son, a 25-year-old U.S. Army sniper, had been shot in the stomach and killed in Afghanistan's volatile Kunar Province. On Wednesday afternoon, the grieving father was bent under the hood of an old truck, his oil-stained hands contorted behind the leaky radiator as he recalled the day his then-17-year-old son had come home to say that he was going to join the Army. "I'd never suggested it," said Ismael Rougle, who had served 25 years in the Army. "But he had it in his mind that this is what he wanted to do. And he was so proud."
...
Two years later, in the wake of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Larry Rougle departed for his first combat tour. He was 19. Over the six years that have followed, family members said, Larry Rougle served two more tours in Afghanistan and three in Iraq. "Six tours," Ismael Rougle said. "Six." Family members say Larry Rougle never complained about being called away from home, not even after his then-wife gave birth to a daughter, Carmin Jade, now 3 years old. He loved the girl more than anything, they said, but remained proud to serve and committed to victory.
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(Excerpt) Read more at sltrib.com ...
The amount of tours is possible because before the 173rd he was in a Ranger Batt. and they have less than 6 month combat tours... of which are often more dangerous.
As a career officer, I didn’t really care what the reasons were. It was painfully obvious that manpower was ever on the decrease during my 22 years, and the needs, wants and desires of the folks controlling the military forces were not on the same schedule of decline. Not to mention the long term downsizing vis-a-vis the ability to fight the two continent conflict,and the technoligizing of the military occuring also during this period which in some minds excused the downsizing.
Personally, I have always felt there had to be a balance between tech and manpower. If your total force is 300 ships or 300 airplanes, and they have a six to one or better kill ratio, you still reach zero when the 300 are gone, and tech is very expensive compared to bare bones. Additionally one of the opponents has unlimited manpower in comparison.
“....we shouldnt grieve over this families loss”
I cannot believe your heart even allowed you to type this. I have no words to describe how heartless and really, disgusting this comment is.
There are many things in your post that disturb me but the most obvious problem is your lack of understanding as to why someone serves.
You don’t get it at all and I’m hope you never have the opportunity to share your “belief” that we should not grieve for a Fallen Hero with their loved ones.
DISGUSTING.
Actually I found that statement HIGHLY OFFENSIVE.
My deployment to Iraq (15 months) was particularly difficult for me
...and some have had to endure not one but multiple long term deployments. During Vietnam, SAC aircrews would go on one day short of six month Arclight tours that broke many a marriage and many a back. One of my friends after serving a year in country flying combat missions, got sent to a SAC B-52 unit and after two back to back six month deployments, resigned his commission. It is a hard life for many, and yes the load needs to be shared. A balance needs to be found that will allow sufficient R and R for the troops, their families, and still provide for the needs of the nation. A seemingly impossible hurdle.
Like you say, lip service is cheap, and many of those giving you thanks have long since passed their prime, but would gladly serve in any capacity if needed, sadly older folks and their troubles aren’t needed like the young and vigorous.
I am sorry. I see that you made a correction in a comment posted later.
I am sorry I jumped on that statement but obviously saying it the first way would be highly offensive to someone that lost someone in the war.
Once again, sorry.
See #56
There is a military term or principal that explains how the loss of a any percentage of a military’s capacity is a far greater operational loss than the percentage loss. Are you aware of the term? It may even be a formula but I can’t bring it to mind.
no prob. my fault.
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