In late 2002, my son’s unit (Third Brigade, Third Infantry Division) became aware that shortly they would be deployed to Kuwait as a staging point for the invasion of Iraq in March of 2003. He told me this triggered a massive shopping spree on “V.D.” (Victory Drive in Columbus, Georgia adjacent to Fort Bennington) by the infantrymen of his brigade who knew that whatever they would be issued by the U.S. Army would be totally inadequate to actually get them through their deployment. Socks, sturdy rucksacks and underwear were the biggest sellers long with other essentials like reliable flashlights, weapon cleaning supplies, small mirrors and “silly string” spray cans for detecting trip wires in rooms they had to clear. When I asked him why the Army didn’t
provide adaquate amounts of these essentials, he just smiled at my naivety…
During World War II we had reporters who gave voice to the men fighting the wars, NOT just to the silly 'elites' running things like they do today. Hello Washington Post and New York Times idiots - we're talking to YOU.