Reply #5: Troops At Highest Danger Level, Too... [View All]

Never have our forces been in such a hostile and vulnerable situation. This isn't just Iraq, but as we see today, in Bosnia and in other stations around the world. Our military is over-worked and under-manned...and it's the "grunts" who are paying a terrible price.

Last week I had a cousin graduate from Camp Pendleton...he joined two years ago after 9/11, but was told he would be entering a "training program" upon graduation that would make him a flight mechanic. Hopefully that's the case and he's based on some ship or island far away from the Persian Gulf.

I spoke with him and he's very realistic about the possibilities he will be going to Iraq and still hangs onto the idealism/indoctrination he's been getting about how he'll be "bringing democracy" to those poor people. But I could tell he's not quite sure that's exactly what's going on or how it's turning out. Time will tell.

His mother is very worried...but she plays strong and proud. She's my first cousin and has always been reserved about her feelings. Privately, it's whispered how she feels he was betrayed into joining the Marines and fears for what will happen. All we can do is stay strong and supportive.

I missed Nam by one year, and have known many Vietnam vets...people I admire. One I worked with for 6 years, and am still in contact with, did a 2 year stint in the Green Berets and had some S & D stories that only came out very late at night after several joints and shots of Canadian Club. Ironically, he was a staunch Repugnican until the Iraq War...since, he says he has donated to the Kerry campaign.

It's just a matter of time for the strain of this incursion to take its toll on the nation's finances, resources and emotions. This isn't peacekeeping, this is urban warefare...a videogame for real. How long will the "Red States" take seeing their sons and daughters returning in pine boxes or in several pieces???