reply to post by pstrron
Thank you and believe that you were in the AF. My brother in law was in SAC as well until ACC was formed in the early 90's

I was an Army brat
myself and then lived much of my life in Europe as a civilian. Even worked for the Stars & Stripes for a few years. Too bad I didn't pass the
physical otherwise would have loved to get stationed to Europe.
This soldier, unlike many previous generations, did have a choice. I doubt she had to see the actual hardships that went on in such places as
Fallujah. As some of my friends that have been there say, she was probably an REMF (rear echelon mother f***). Going to war was probably not something
she cared to see again and decided to opt out.
Just guessing on my part. Has she said anything on why she didn't want to go back? I'm curious to know what her opinion is.
On the Colin Powell issue, forgive me that I can't find an article, but the man already opted to not stay for the whole eight years early on in the
Bush admin... before we went into Iraq. I believe it was because of family reasons. If I can find something I'll post it. He even rejected a position
in the Obama admin. Possibly same reason.
About the US being hated... Many people don't like Americans because it is something that is passed on generation to generation. I lived overseas for
20 years of my life. I can tell you many stories dating back from the late 70's until 1998 on encounters I faced just being an American. That
Americans have been hated only recently is a lie. I have been there and have the experience.
No, not saying my entire experience was bad. I loved living in Europe but there were, indeed, some bad moments.
On Saddam... many eastern Europeans that I met, Romanians in particular, had nothing good to say about him. Many commented on why we didn't finish
the man off in 1991. They had lived under similar circumstances and knew the type of human being the man was.
I support Saddam being gone. I support the war. I may not be able to go but unlike many chicken-hawks, I did try to enlist.
I understand we are going to have to agree to disagree. I have friends that are on both sides of the spectrum and regardless of opinion, I still
consider them friends!!
Mrs. Rivera joined during a time of war and knew all to well she could get shipped to a war zone. I am certain she was up to date on the news before
volunteering to join the US Army.
She had a choice and now must live up to the consequences.
Just my humble opinion