Reflections

Loss

We hear much about what the President says regarding the Global War on Terrorism. We have heard the infamous quotes like “Bring em on” and saw the sign that declared “Mission Accomplished.” We learned that we were exporting democracy and liberty in the President’s Inaugural Address

We heard Mr. Rumsfeld tell a national guardsman that “You go to war with the Army you have…and not with the Army you would wish to have.”

We have heard that we must “fight this war in Iraq” so we don’t have to “fight it at home” despite the fact that we entered Iraq on faulty intelligence, now proven false. Our success in Afghanistan, too, is tenuous at best. We have not “smoked” Bin Ladin out of his “hole” and the largest exportable cash crop sustaining the economy of Afghanistan is the opium poppy.

This week we lost our 1,500 service person in Iraq. The list of those severely wounded grows daily. The official report says that we have suffered 11,500 injuries with the highest number of amputees and brain injuries that have ever occurred in any other war. Medical experts state that we can expect to incur a high number of psychological injuries, one in six, returning from Iraq. With over a million people deployed thus far, that represents 166,000 individuals who have already been affected. Combined this puts our casualty rate at 17.9% or nearly one in five.

As the second anniversary of the Invasion of Iraq approaches, I decided to look at what the people who are fighting this war and their family members at home have to say. All of the quotes are taken from recently published material. Some people believe in the “mission” – others do not. But all show weariness in fighting a war that has no end in sight even as the rhetoric from Washington heats up with challenges issued to Iran and Syria.

"This time I have to think about having a wife and a daughter back home, I'm responsible now for bringing home my guys alive to their family." - Sgt. Joshua Butler of Jackson, MO. on his return to Iraq. Sgt Butler was part of the force that captured Baghdad during the invasion in 2003. Since returning from Iraq the first time, Sgt. Butler married and became a father. (AP)

"It's not just being gone that's the hard part; the hard part is getting ready to leave, preparing your family for it and everything you do to prepare your family for it reminds them, and yourself, that you're leaving, The few months before you leave are hard; the first few months after you get back are hard." - Staff Sgt. Jason Barr of Roswell, MI. Sgt. Barr is the father of two and was part of the force that captured Baghdad in 2003. (AP)

"My God, I can't believe I'm here again, I thought I was going to get out and go back to school." - Spc. Desmond Lackey, who was due leave the service this month. However, under “stop loss” the Army has told him that he won't be allowed to leave the service at least until his unit goes home next year. (AP)

“Another BORING day here in Iraq. But, boring is bliss for me. I am not in a hurry to get shot at.” – the author of the soldier blog “Boots on the Ground”. He was recently re-deployed to Iraq after being home less than a year.

"We'll be back several more times." - Sgt. Micki Nixon of Jacksonville, FL. (AP)

“I survived a war, and I’m going to make damn sure I survive peace.” – the author of the soldier blog “In Iraq for 365” shortly after returning to the U.S. from Mosul, Iraq. He speaks here of his adjustment to civilian life.

“We begged people not to forget our sons were beloved real people whose futures we had hoped for, and we implored them to work to stop the war.” - Celeste Zapalla, Mother of Sgt. Sherwood Baker who was killed in action.

“As I leave my metal box, that I have called home for the last year, I carry two duffle bags. The first is full of the gear and clothing that has offered me survival and protection. The other bag is harder to see with the uncompassionate eye. I have filled the second with guilt. The shame for the part I have played in this campaign in Iraq. It is more useless then the first. However, it is a burden I must carry.” – from the soldier blog “Fight to Survive” posted by a soldier who calls himself simply “The Heretic”.

"There is much hardship that a family encounters when their loved one is in the military. And unlike their soldier, they didn’t volunteer for these challenges. Spouses face lonely months with soul mates half a world away. Children take their first steps, participate in their first concert, or play in their first little league game with out the support of one…or both parents because their jobs take them far from home. Parent’s hearts skip beats when someone knocks at their front door…because they know their life can forever change in an explosion of grief if that visitor wears a somber face…and a uniform. War does not come without a terrible price. Soldiers and their loved ones pay that price in blood…and in tears." – Marge Haracz, mother of a soldier training for deployment.