Remember Me - A Soldier's Plea!

Originally posted by Chorlton

Hold on just a minute here. Thats what they signed up for. They knew that if they joined the army there would be a damned good chance they were going to have to leave everything theyve known and loved and to be sent overseas to kill people. They knew that. f they didnt want that then they shouldnt have signed on the dotted line. No one forced them so please stop with the sentimental claptrap.


Or couldnt it simply be that they wanted the adventure and risk and thoughts of using big guns and shooting people like theyve seen in all the glorified war and cowboy films, which glamourise war and death but never show the harsh realities of it?
War and killing has been drummed into us for many thousands of years.
But if could have gone the other way, what would have happened if people had simply refused to fight?
As John Lennon said "suppose they had a war and no one came"

Yes soldiers are necessary *now*, but dont make it out to be something its not.
They know the risks and no one forces them to join

Originally posted by Chorlton
reply to post by lombozo

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If I wanted to be a catalyst for an argument I could have made a much better case.

I took issue with your post that stated:
" They are brave men and women who were ordered to leave their homes, their families, and everything they've ever known to risk their lives in a strange land halfway around the world. "

That post to me suggested that you were inferring that they were innocents who were dragged away from their loved ones to fight 'in a strange land hallfaway around the world'.
They were no such things. Which was why I called it 'sentimental claptrap'

Do I feel sorry for them? no I dont, they are doing what they want to do shoot and be shot at, to kill and to die. They read the document, they knew the risks, they signed the paper.

And as for your question 'did I serve'? no I didnt.

I was in and out of OZ in the 60's when they had National Service but would rather have served 2 years in prison than kill people I had no argument with. I had 2 of my very best friends killed in Vietnam in a war that had nothing to do with them.

Originally posted by eagle32
These soldiers chose to fight, they was NOT conscripted.
So when you have to pull a trigger, or witness a fellow soldier killed in front of you then dont forget that nobody forced you to sign up, this isnt Halo 3 its real bullets with real lives and no spawns.

I dont wish to kill or be killed in that way so I didnt join the army, pretty simple logic IMHO.

Stop whinging,

I cant stand these 'soldiers' that want all the glory and pay but dont like the work involved.

Originally posted by Dave Rabbit
How do YOU feel about YOUR COUNTRY'S SOLDIERS? How do YOU feel about WAR? Again, this is a controversial subject that requires restraint, courtesy and respect for those who have served, will serve and have given their lives for what THEY believed for THEIR COUNTRY.

PLEASE be RESPECTFUL in your comments. This will be a MOD SQUAD reviewed topic.

Senator Pat Roberts,

I have received your correspondence and I feel I must express my disapproval in your reasoning. I am shocked at your blatant belief in the ignorance of the American people. I am extremely disgusted in this response, Mr. Roberts.

You stated: “As a former Marine, my first and foremost responsibility is to provide for the national security of the United States and our citizens. It is because of this obligation that I stand in strong support of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who are fighting overseas in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the War on Terror. I do not take the decision to send troops into battle lightly, and I am humbled by their daily personal sacrifices.”

First, as a member of the Marines you should know that your first responsibility is to defend the Constitution of the United States of America, as proven by United States Code (law)Title 10, Subtitle A, Part II, Chapter 31 § 502… which reads as follows:

--“I, XXXXXXXXXX, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”--

It is because of this obligation that you should see that your stance is incorrect, for several reasons. 1) The Constitution provides clearly that the laws of the land must be followed. There are inappropriate resolutions that have allowed this aggressive behavior by President Bush, of which the American people have asked for an end to such. 2) The “War in Iraq” is nothing more than a misused power by the President that was granted by Congress by H.J.Res.114. That resolution was not a formal declaration of war against Iraq. Or maybe it was S.J. Res. 23… which still has no clear cut defined enemy. 3) President Bush has repeatedly lied to the American people as to why our loved ones are in Iraq to begin with. First, it was the WMD. Second, it was to free and liberate the people of Iraq. Third it was to protect the oil. Fourth it was to continue the War on terror.

I, too, am humbled by the daily sacrifices that the troops make. However, I fail to see why the US troops constantly are put in the line of fire needlessly.

You go on to state: “As our military leaders have repeatedly testified in the past year, the key to winning the War on Terror rests with success in Iraq. To risk allowing Iraq to become a haven for those who wish us ill is an unacceptable risk I am not willing to take.”

The “military leaders” have testified that the success in Iraq is needed to “beat a ghost”? As I mentioned above, S.J. Res. 23 has no clear cut defined enemy. Congress has authorized the President to fight something that cannot be seen. Congress has authorized the President to fight anything he wishes it to be. You (Congress) have authorized a never ending war… a war about fear. Your stance, as shown in the above quote, proves that the “terrorists” have already won.


You further your statement as: “We are now sending more troops with the message to Prime Minister Maliki, the Iraqi government, and the people of Iraq that Iraqi forces must conduct the military action necessary to end the sectarian violence and achieve stability. [SNIP] I do not believe it is possible to support our military men and women, but not their mission. Rather, I offer them my full support in both.”

The only message President Bush is sending to the Iraqi government, is the message of failure. The message is clear. “If you can’t/won’t/whatever… we will.” The Iraqi government that has squandered the precious lives of our brethren will never take responsibility of their own nation if the US is always there to do it for them.

How preposterous?! Of course we can support our troops, but not the mission. Are you suggesting that the American people should blindly follow the warmongering that is clearly evident in today’s Administration? Are you suggesting that we, the American people cannot love our family members that are sent to Iraq… for something that no one to this day has any clear cut idea of why we’re there in the first place? Are you suggesting that we, the American people cannot be supportive of our troops and loathe the reasoning (or lack thereof) for the chances they take on a second by second basis? Or are you suggesting that you, as being the voice of the Kansas people, will voice your own will as opposed to the will of your constituents?

You final statement: “As the United States increases our presence in Iraq, I will continue to work to provide our soldiers with the best equipment, training, and support possible to see their missions through. I, too, want those who sacrifice so much in volunteering to serve to come home as soon as possible. However, it must be on our terms, and we must leave behind a stable and secure Iraq when we depart.”

You make it clear you, as well as the rest of America, want our troops to come home as soon as possible. What makes it possible? Is it the ousting of Saddam? Is it the freeing/liberating of the Iraqi people? Is it the safety of the Iraqi oilfields? Or will it be when the U.S. Military finally captures that ghost, the ghost of fear?


I wish to make it very clear to you, Mr. Senator. If this is your honest reasoning, it will be my obligation, as an American citizen, patriot, and Constitutional protector, to vote you out of office at your earliest term expiration.


I am truly very concerned.


I look forward to your written correspondence.


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