Stryker
December 9th, 2007THE DRAFT bill (H.R.#4752) has been in congress since February …
By admin on Sunday, August 27, 2006
THE DRAFT bill (H.R.#4752) has been in congress since February of this year.
The bill applies to citizens and non citizens, men and women, between the ages of 18 and 42.
The backdoor draft is the last resort to a full blown draft. As it stands, this war affects the soldiers and the families of the soldiers.
I know several soldiers of the 172nd who are being unvoluntarily extended past their active duty status causing even more devastation to them and their families. of the soldiers has children waiting, another soldier was enrolled in college and one was looking forward to the first time ever of living with his spouse after four years of marriage. After the elections, and the draft is in force, then,and only then, will this war gain the full attention of these United States of America.
I am the wife of a former 172nd soldier. I guess he …
By admin on Sunday, August 27, 2006
I am the wife of a former 172nd soldier. I guess he can be considered the lucky one.
He was sent home seriously injured and disabled for life.
While I understand the need to keep the unit in Iraq, waiting until the unit was already deploying home to tell them that they were in fact not really leaving was unethical — and shows a distinct lack of character in our leadership.
(admin comment: The following paragraph was edited to remove identifying and personal information. Please see ‘Censorship’ page for my remarks about anonymity for the website.)
Speaking of lack of character — command is disapproving Meritorius Service Medals for PCSing leaders. They are only awarding ARCOMs. My husband trained a entire platoon for the 172nd prior to deployment and can’t even get a decent service award from the unit for his sacrifice but the guy who shot himself in the foot gets a bronze star for valor.
I am not only a wife of a soldier in 172 SBCT …
By admin on Saturday, August 26, 2006
I am not only a wife of a soldier in 172 SBCT, but I was also in the Army for over 8 years myself, and my father was a high ranking soldier in the Army as well.
Even with all of my family background in the Army I still have to say that the way these soldiers are being treated is despicable.
I am grateful to the person who set up this website and all the other family members who post their stories. I stand behind them and everything they have to say about not tolerating this.
My husband was injured in Iraq almost a year ago while on a mission. He was not permitted to return home to get his injuries fixed and still has not been able to.
Even if he had been given the choice, he would have stayed with his soldiers. He lives everyday in pain and discomfort waiting for the day he can home and face his next battle. The two years of surgery and rehabilitation to fix his injures will be far more painful than the initia …
Rumsfeld didn’t offer much and basically said he has power over nothing.
By admin on Saturday, August 26, 2006
Rumsfeld didn’t offer much and basically said he has power over nothing.
I’m actually not quite sure what the point was for his appearance at all. He just spouted off the same old stories and listened to questions.
Many were a little too personal, but some were very decent and to the point: That our soldiers need their homes. Still, he couldn’t offer much of anything. The only positive thing that came out of this, really, is that he knows how much we don’t like this plan. If he didn’t know it before, that’s pretty sad.
I was happy whenever a good question was asked regarding the lack of commitment towards our soldiers, and the families hooted, cheered and stamped their feet. It at least got the message across that we all think this stinks and the soldiers do too.
After listening to Rumsfeld, my opinion is still that this whole situation was unnecessary to do to these soldiers while on their way home.
First may I say that I am glad to see some wives and families stood up …
By admin on Saturday, August 26, 2006
First may I say that I am glad to see some wives and families stood up to ask questions today.
I attempted to do so however was unable to since Mr. Rumsfeld called it to a close about 15 minutes early. I guess he doesn’t have a “good answer for that”.
What stunned me was watching some of the wives almost kissing Mr. Rumsfled’s feet. Honestly I didn’t think he was that charming. It seriously reminded me of a subject paying homage to their king. I just didn’t realize how much some of the wives just LOVE Mr. Rumsfeld!
For those who were unable to make it today. There was a total of about 5 or 6 questions asked. One of the best ones in my humble opinion was regarding the training of new troops to replace our tired and worn out troops. He did not have an answer. I will work on typing up a whole report on it from the tape I have and post it here.
I just returned home from the Rumsfeld circus at Ft. Wainwright …
By admin on Saturday, August 26, 2006
I just returned home from the Rumsfeld circus at Ft. Wainwright and read the messages from your site. I took four and a half pages of notes at the meeting…
When I read this last message I thought, Rumsfeld is one of those slick talking politicians that talks out both sides of his face…and excuse me if I may be so graphic, but >edit out< Iraqi democracy, we don't even have it in the United States any more. That for which our forefathers have fought and put their lives on the line is all gone. My father, God Bless his soul, is probably rolling over in his grave.
One VERY intelligent woman asked Rumsfeld that,... "if the mission wasn't complete in 120 days, are they training another Stryker Brigade to replace our loved ones, so they could come home..." He said, "and I suppose you want a yes or no answer."
Of course, he didn't say yes, so I guess the writing is on the wall folks. How much do we pay these joke ...
Rumsfeld passed the buck …
By admin on Saturday, August 26, 2006
Rumsfeld passed the buck …
I just came back from seeing Rumsfeld. He pretty much said he is going to do all that he can to bring them home by 120 days, but that it’s up to the commanders. He said what determines when they come home is basically how organized and on the ball the commanders are at making new plans.
So, now I watch my faith in ever seeing my husband again go out the window. The reason this whole crap started is because they bite off more than they can chew.
There were only a few minutes of question time, not nearly enough. The wives asked questions pertaining to the treatment of the soldiers and their living conditions which are poor. There were also people implying that they are so good, but will they ever get to come home because of it? This really is too much.
All of this, for my husband and me, we were singled out because our military doesn’t have anything better they can do.
Our son was due to be sent back to Alaska after his regular tour in Iraq …
By admin on Saturday, August 26, 2006
Our son was due to be sent back to Alaska after his regular tour in Iraq at the end of July. We were already in turmoil because my father, his grandfather, had been diagnosed with a virulent form of lung cancer and had weeks/days to live.
Also, we were reeling from the news that his stryker had sustained a head-on collision with an sb-ied.
Our son was knocked down into the vehicle and sustained some burns and abrasions, but also had his eardrums blown. To date, his hearing is useless in his right ear due to eardrum perforation.
The army sent the 2nd Lt.. and the vehicle commander home because they had been injured (cuts and bruises, as i heard it) but they put our son right back on patrol two days after and he’s still not able to hear properly!
Our son tried to make calls to his grandfather to tell him he loved him and to say goodbye, but was unable to do so because of co …
Please contact reporter Margaret Friedenauer …
By admin on Friday, August 25, 2006
Please contact reporter Margaret Friedenauer …
As a mother in law of a wonderful young man, who is presently barely surviving this extension, I write to you asking that you post this information.
Margaret Friedenauer is a journalist with the Fairbanks Daily Newsminer, and was previously embedded with the 172nd in Mosul, Iraq.
When I learned of this weekend’s “grandstanding of Rumsfeld” in our home town I contacted the Newsminer and spoke with her about this issue. She has a strong desire to speak with family members of the 172nd SB tomorrow during the day, to obtain their feelings. She can be reached at 907-459-7545 during the day (AK time)
and asked that I have as many people contact her as soon as possible. She would like to write an article to express our questions for Rumsfeld and requested that I “give her number to anyone who wants it.” I pray t …
Every bit of ammunition you need to help bring the 172nd home …
By admin on Friday, August 25, 2006
Every bit of ammunition you need to help bring the 172nd home can be found in two books.
There are many opinions, both pro and con, regarding the question of ‘bringing the troops home.’
Some of those opinions have undoubtedly been formed by the circumstances that led us into the Iraq war in the first place. With that in mind, there are a couple of books that are a must for you to be aware of.
They will help you enormously in your efforts to bring the troops home, the 172nd, and all the rest.
When we learn that a war is concocted by a bunch of lies,
it’s time for us to speak up and get out.
Please visit this site: www.neoconned.info. There you will find two books,
“Neo-CONNED!” and “Neo-CONNED Again!”
To Rumsfeld and his “no good answer” …
By admin on Friday, August 25, 2006
To Rumsfeld and his “no good answer”, I think it’s disgusting. It appears to me that there is no other explanation than that our government is completely unprepared for what they set out to do. The fact that our soldiers that are stuck there are suffering, is what proves that. It should have never had to come to this.
With regard to Gainey’s comments about the past when soldiers never knew what was going on: That was usually when the wars actually made sense and weren’t about babysitting and policing.
Not to say past wars weren’t questionable, but this is a very strange one to put our soldiers through and demand so much of them in areas that don’t quite fit what they are really supposed to be for.
I can safely say that the troops that never got to come home are disgusted with this decision and have lost trust in the government.
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hello i am a wife of a 172nd soldier who was extended …
By admin on Thursday, August 24, 2006
hello i am a wife of a 172nd soldier who was extended … and not one of the lucky ones who got to come home at least for a little while.
but i am beyond pissed about what is going to happen this sat at ft richardson ..rumsfeld is coming to talk to us 172nd families..does he have a brain we dont want to see him.
or is to just rub it in our faces that look here is the man who signed off on the extension and you cant do anything to him or about it….i was crying earlier when i got the email about the time to be at the gym to see him
my little girl who is five asked what was wrong i just told her the man who wont let your daddy come home is coming here..she burst into tears and said that wasnt fair if the daddies cant come home why can he come here.
she also said she hates him and how would he like it if they wouldnt let his daddy come home to take him to kindergarten…my heart broke for her she so nee …
Regarding Rumsfeld’s visit to Ft. Richardson …
By admin on Thursday, August 24, 2006
It’s a 6 hour drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks if we can drive at all to Ft. Rich. In the email I received from the FRG leaders at Ft. Rich, Rumsfeld is only going to have an hour to meet with the families of the 172nd. To further add to the burden, the roads have been out due to flooding. Then when we get to Fairbanks we will be required to pay for our own lodging. It’s prime tourist season. If something is available, it will be expensive.
Rumsfeld does not have “a good answer” for why he extended the 172nd and apparently he does not have time to sit face to face with the spouses. I truly hope that he is spending the rest of his time in Alaska to find “a Good answer.”
We want our soldiers home! This war, this extension is ripping our country apart one heart at a time. It’s time for our leaders to be accountable for their decisions.
It is obvious from statistics reported about rising sectarian violence that there was no credible reason …
By admin on Wednesday, August 23, 2006
It is obvious from statistics reported about rising sectarian violence that there was no credible reason to extend this brigade at the last minute.
There was nothing that happened all of a sudden–just poor planning by the leaders. It seems like our fine soldiers should be treated much better than this.
Nothing about this is right.
It was done with no notice and devasted thousands of people, they are sent into a pathetic situation with their new missions and living conditions, they aren’t promised any new day to return–it’s left up in the air, they don’t have nearly the access to contact home to let all of the now terrified families know they are alive, and there was no sudden need for them that came about other than them being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
RUMSFELD VISITS — website admin speaks
By admin on Wednesday, August 23, 2006
I see that D. Rumsfeld plans to visit families of the 172nd Stryker Brigade in Alaska, on Saturday, 26 Aug.
Maybe someone will ask him …
(1) Donald, you signed off on the sudden re-deployment of the 172nd on 27 July. When asked later for the reason that the extension was announced so suddenly and unexpectedly, your reply to Lisa Murkowski was “I don’t have a good answer for that.” Would you like to add anything to your earlier response?
(2) We were told that the reason for the extension of the brigade was an escalation in violence in Baghdad. Gen. Chiarelli is shown on video addressing 172nd troops as saying “the conditions in Baghdad just turned, just turned south on us”. The McClatchey News Agency used your (Army’s) own reporting system to show that average number of violent attacks in Baghdad was 16 in 2003, 45 in 2004, 61 in 2005, and 90 in June of this yea …
First I want to say how proud I am of our Soldiers …
By admin on Monday, August 21, 2006
First I want to say how proud I am of our Soldiers and their families through this deployment.
For the “first-timers” like me, a place vent or a person to vent to is probably the best remedy right now along with the support of loved ones.
For the awesome and undeniably strong men, women, and spouses that have gone through this multiple times, my hat goes off to you and although you have, to some degree, managed its probably just as hard.
With that said, I’m just like every spouse; heartbroken about this extension. I have to start over on the calendar; counting down days, cancel vacations and go about like they weren’t supposed to come home anyways.
Life in the military is unpredictable! We should all come to realization that they aren’t going to come home until our magnificent government decides that the 172nd has had enough.
This is the time when they need us most. They need us to be strong, voice opinions, cry …
I did not hear Sen.Lisa Murkowski quiz Rumsfeld …
By admin on Monday, August 21, 2006
I did not hear Sen.Lisa Murkowski quiz Rumsfeld but i certainly heard Sen. Hillary Clinton put it to him straight and pretty forward.
She told him they are preciding over a failed plan and given his track record why should we believe in his policies.
He also had a very intelligent remark roll out of his mouth to her. His first words were “WELL MY GOODNESS”..Yes he is pathetic………
I haven’t heard from my son since he got to Baghdad. I did receive an email from another mother who has a son in the 172nd. She had received a two minute phone call from her son and he told her the lines to use the phones and computer were so long.
The heat there is unbearable. I am an emotional wreck. When we go for weeks and months and can’t hear anything from our soldiers, we become so stressed that we are physically and mentally sick.
I just pray our soldiers are brought home soon. …
I was very disheartened to learn that the first day of the extension didn’t officially begin …
Voices By admin on Monday, August 21, 2006
I was very disheartened to learn that the first day of the extension didn’t officially begin until august 15th.
so what were the first two weeks?
LIMBO!!! (HELL)
but thats the shrub administration for ya!!! at least ole “stay the course” bush is starting to admit that our soldiers are smack in the middle of a civil war,
for what good that will do. the fact that they were put in moldy tents and all got sick didn’t exactly thrill me either.
I guess at this point, outside of walking the floors and wringing my hands, all i can do is pray, because i have written senators and congress and nothing seems to be doing any good. so to all of the 172nd SBCT, may God be with you and may you all come home safe. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
I hope you are very proud of what’s going on in your site …
By admin on Monday, August 21, 2006
I hope you are very proud of what’s going on in your site right now!!
You know very well they will be there until the end of this mission!
What we have now are families of our extended deployed soldiers fighting with each others on your site which is the least our Soldiers need right now! And Soldiers even jumping in?
I almost hope what will happen next, the Army will shut down the Internet for our Soldiers.
We are all under duress.. and too much info is going through on your site! There is NO support whatsoever for their Mission. My Son is under the command of those who post on your site, and I fear for his safety!
Next, our Soldiers will be arguing amongst each others?
Don’t you think knowing their morale is low, it’s time to Boost them up?
As I begin resuming “normal” operations and things here at the homefront …
By admin on Monday, August 21, 2006
As I begin resuming “normal” operations and things here at the homefront waiting for my husband to come home to me and our son,
I am absolutely perplexed by yet another mystery involving the idiocity of the US Army. Here is my question and please anyone and everyone that can answer this please do…
I am so confused as to why we are in such dire need of troops in Bahgdad that the 172 SBCT had to be extended, and yet the 101st,
who deployed a couple of months AFTER we did, are already coming home!
What a kick in the stomach to our men (and our families) to hear this!
It just doesn’t make any sense to me! The men of the 101st are still infantry and could still be out there helping keep the peace in Baghdad. Instead they are just packing up and leaving our men to clean up the mess?!
My husband’s tour in Iraq was recently extended with the 172nd …
By admin on Monday, August 21, 2006
My husband’s tour in Iraq was recently extended with the 172nd.
My heart is broken. He has been gone for over a year and I miss him more than anything.
Every day that he is in Iraq there is a greater chance of him not coming home. On average 2 American Soldiers are killed every day in Iraq.
I can no longer sit and wait. I need to be heard. I need to know that you care.
I am disturbed by the apathy that seems to overtake America. I have told my story over and over. Most of the time, I receive the same general response, “We support our troops and are praying for you and your husband.”
I am not sure how much more patronizing any one statement could be. What I really need to hear was that you care enough about the life of my husband and other American soldiers to think about what it is you really support.
First off, let me thank you for making this site, it’s …
By admin on Monday, August 21, 2006
First off, let me thank you for making this site, it’s not only helpful but informative.
My husband, of 2 years, has been in the Army since Jan 2005. He was stationed with the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Aug 05, was deployed shortly after.
We’ve basically been apart since Jan. Hes been off at training, and such the entire time. Out of 2 years, Ive seen him 4 months.
Im thankful for those 4 months, I was lucky to get those. Im not complaining, or “bitching” about my situation. I knew what I got into when he joined, and I knew that deployment in the United States Army in time of war was unavoidable.
BUT with that said, did I think 12 hours before I was expecting my husband to leave
that place that he would be extended for another 120 days? No.
I thought my DAY had come. I was getting my husband back, my daughter was …
It has been a long 3 weeks filled with emotional …
By admin on Monday, August 21, 2006
It has been a long 3 weeks filled with emotional blurs.
I cannot seem to accept the fact that my husband is not coming home anytime soon.
My brain won’t process that information. I’m still waiting for someone to call and tell me they changed their minds and admit the mistake that was made.
I grow more weary every day when I don’t get the call.
My husband is constantly busy. I have only heard from him 3 times, once a week, for the past 3 weeks.
He says he sometimes has 2 missions a day. Long hours, high heat and exhaustion drag him to bed instead of to the phone to call home.
I feel like they have taken my husband completely away from me.
I feel like a single mom with 4 small kids and a paycheck that comes from a man I’m having a hard time staying connected to.
my soldier son and I are adjusting …
By admin on Monday, August 21, 2006
my soldier son and I are adjusting to this ass-nine extension
he had 7 days left before we got to have him back on safe ground and then this
when he called me to tell me he wasn’t coming home when expected my heart sank and broke in half as well as the rest of my family
he was very upset about this also but he has a very positive attitude that he will go in with the rest of his comrades and get the job done
and come home so all of your prayers are needed for these brave men and women thanks mom
how can these soldiers keep being treated so badly …
By admin on Monday, August 21, 2006
how can these soldiers keep being treated so badly.
now there are complaints about how they are treated by their team leaders and squad commanders, i am very upset that these people think they are so much better than the privates they are supposed to be setting a example for.
how can they keep up moral when the ones that are called leaders are constantly degradeing them. just because they are only pvc and e3s dose not mean they dont deserve respect.
they talk about low reinlistment why would they want to after being disrespected like they are. not only did are congressmen let us down by what they did to these soldiers. now the whole military is doing the same by allowing this kind of treatment to go on.
what about the code of conduct. how can we allow soldiers that have spent a year or longer i iraq. to be treated this way.
It’s now approaching 3 weeks since I found out that my husband is not coming …
By admin on Saturday, August 19, 2006
It’s now approaching 3 weeks since I found out that my husband is not coming home.
3 weeks of anger, feelings of betrayal, and of sadness that my husband will not be home for my son’s first year of life. I have come to accept that “yes, we’ve got a while yet before he will come home”. I have come to accept that my husband will have missed our son’s first year of life, that he will miss our sons first birthday, first words, first steps.
That he’ll never get this year back. That he’ll never be able to say “Wow do you remember when our son was only 3 months old, 6 months old, 9 months old, etc?” This is military life, missing important things like birthdays or holidays is a fact of life. We, as military spouses deal with it all the time.
What I cannot accept is that the decision was left up until the last minute.
This is in response to ‘John’ in Other Letters section. I am a member of the 172 SBCT …
By admin on Thursday, August 17, 2006
This is in response to ‘John’ in Other Letters section. I am a member of the 172 SBCT and find his letter totally off base and uncalled for.
John, I don’t know who you are or what you think you know, and more to the point I don’t really care. I have served with the 172 SBCT for three years now, and never once have I heard the Soldiers of this Brigade complain or whine about anything.
Yes, every Soldier was disappointed that the Brigade had been extended, but we all fully understand that we have a mission and job to accomplish. We are professional Soldiers and we are aware that there is nothing certain about a deployment.
Now I ask you to take a moment to put yourself in our shoes for one moment. We were anywhere from 48 to 96 hours from going home when the news of our extension was released.
I don’t care who you are or what you do, you are going to be disappointed. I don’t think it matters what conflict you se …
As the news about the extension of the 172 SBCT spreads and is drawing more and more national attention …
By admin on Thursday, August 17, 2006
As the news about the extension of the 172 SBCT spreads and is drawing more and more national attention, I just want to be sure that the wrong message is not being portrayed here. Although I am only able to speak for myself and no one, else I truly hope that there are others who share my views.
I am a wife of a 172 SBCT soldier, and I will be the first to say that I was devastated by the news of the extension.
I was 4 days away from seeing my husband and from him meeting his son, and I truly felt like I had been punched in the gut.
I am not one of those wives that has been able to have their mommies and daddies here helping them every step of the way,
but have endured and gotten by on my own.
With little or no help from anyone else.
And so I was looking forward to my husband coming home so that I could get a break, and I could see the man that I love.
Just for the record, I am not a ‘young’ military spouse. My husband has been in the army …
By admin on Thursday, August 17, 2006
Just for the record, I am not a ‘young’ military spouse. My husband has been in the army for 12 years. My husband is also part of the 172nd. It’s not even the extension that bothers me so. This is the army, there are no guarantees.
It is, what I feel the lack of concern shown to us in the way this whole thing was handled. On July 26, I came home from a doctor’s appointment to have my neighbor (whose husband is also serving in the 172nd) tell me there was a press release about an extension.
I looked at the article put out by the AP and called my FRG (Family Rediness Group) leader. She said there was a rumor they would be extended that Monday, but it had been squashed and she would look into it further. Then the news started pouring in. I didn’t sleep that night.
My husband called me the next morning to tell me they had indeed been extended. I knew before he did.
My husband is in 172d SBCT, and he just told me about this website …
By admin on Wednesday, August 16, 2006
My husband is in 172d SBCT, and he just told me about this website today. Someone else pointed it out to him.
Wesbite admin, what you’re doing is great. You call yourself an “Armchair American”, but that’s misleading.
Isn’t that what all of us are, in one way or another? What does one REALLY have to do to be a “Good Patriotic American”?
If soldiers who suffer and die in war are looked down upon by the public, and are not “Good Patriotic Americans”, then who the hell is?
Granted, yes, though most do not support the war, many still support the troops- but there ARE those who do not. (I also found out today about a group on myspace.com called “f*** the troops” or something similar.)
Regarding the sending back to Iraq of the 300 troops …
By admin on Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Regarding the sending back to Iraq of the 300 troops … as far as the troops going back…I don’t see why it has taken THIS long to send them back.
Although I am extremely pissed about the extension, I think I am even more pissed that the army took so long to send these guys back over there to help the guys that were left unable to come home.
The guys that are still over there and didn’t get a break and didn’t get to spend precious time relaxing with their familes and are working overtime, in crappy conditions, and extreme temperatures, trying to compensate for the loss of guys. The guys still in Iraq are exhausted and tired and they need a full team of men in order to complete this mission so they can ALL come back home to us.
The ones that are being sent back should be counting their blessings that they were able to get a break and see their familes. I know I would have been happy to even have been able to see my love for an hour or even just long …
I am stationed here at ft. richardson …
By admin on Tuesday, August 15, 2006
hi, my name is
i too have had to deal with the extenions when my husband was deployed, but we were told a few month in advance so i cant even imagine what the families are going through, but i am more than willing to listen or lend a shoulder. i have 2 children
What do you think you are doing stirring up this stuff …
By admin on Tuesday, August 15, 2006
What do you think you are doing stirring up this stuff regarding the 172nd Soldiers Family Members.
It really is none of your business. You were Air Force.
As a Mother here in St Louis, this kind of stuff does not need to be posted since “Our Soldiers” need us for all the Suuport WE can GIVE THEM. I would certainly hate for them to see the stupid reponses and opinons that these people are whinning about.
I do understand the hurt and hardship this has caused to the FAMILIES and SOLDIERS only from the 172nd. But this type of web site is NOT NEEDED at this time. Morale needs to be boosted not having “Our Soldiers” mad because some stupid guy had to start something that is none of your business!! Mother of A Soldier of the Proud 172nd!!!
The 172nd SBCT is full of heroes, and nothing short
By admin on Tuesday, August 15, 2006
The 172nd SBCT is full of heroes, and nothing short.
I was on my way to Alaska, to move there for the love of my life, upon his return from Iraq, when I got a phone call at 2 am telling me that he would not be coming home. The disappointment that runs through your body at the sound of those words is indescribable.
I remember everything becoming a haze, and my dreams and hopes for the near future slipping away. I am still very much so in denial, I still have my bags packed, and my week long vacation, which is now indefinite, is going to end and I will be with him in Alaska, when I wake up from this horrible nightmare.
After reading through your website …
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
After reading through your website- I would just like to say thank you for letting the “other half” of our Soldiers speak out. My younger brother is part of the 172nd Stryker Brigade and I know that he would appreciate the support and venting space you are giving to his families (personal and army).
I have never been supportive of this war. My car has been keyed and I have been flipped off too many times to count for the anti-war statements posted in my car windows- “Send Pretzels Not Troops”; “I support the boys but not the men-who put them there.” My brother was in basic training when 9-11 happen- He was 18 yrs old. I have no idea if he would have made the same choice in the post 9-11 world.
I am glad that he was stationed in AK and that he had a chance to make a life for himself before being deployed. He met and married a wonderful girl, bought a house and got a cat.
I am a disabled veteran of the USAF and served some 16 years …
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
I am a disabled veteran of the USAF and served some 16 years ago in support of Operation Desert Storm. I was younger then, ambitious, well trained, and volunteered to be on one of the first aircraft leaving my airbase destined for war. With my seat planted firmly in a cargo net, orders in hand, the prop plane lifted from the runway and eventually deposited myself and the rest of the airman who volunteered on a sunny island in the middle of the pacific. We all thought we were landing in Saudi Arabia, only to hear a rumor that because we had volunteered our Commander, in appreciation for our patriotism, had granted us a support position far away from the combat zone.
We did not have time to discuss the validity of this rumor or for that matter even think about it at all because we immediately began to do what we were tr …
I am a mother in law of a soldier with the 172nd …
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
I am a mother in law of a soldier with the 172nd. I was and am so saddened by the extension. There isn’t one hour during the that I don’t think about him. My daughter and my grandson are in Fort Wainwright and were anxiously awaiting his return. They had made a sign telling him they love him and welcome home. Everyone was so excited about their homecomiong.
Now that was put on hold. I think the only reason they were extended is because it was cost effective and convenient for them to send them there. They have been put in danger 365 days already. I have just read that Iraq has had another division stand up and added to their army. Why don’t they send them to Bagdad???
I have thought of an idea to speak out. The wives of the soldiers to send hand prints of each of their children to Washington with messages of bringing their fathers and mothers …
Wow this is going to be the hardest thing I have ever written …
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
Wow this is going to be the hardest thing I have ever written. I was so happy that my son was going to be coming home on July 30th and on July 27th and then I got the news that he wouldn’t be. I can’t explain the feeling I had. My son and his wife are expecting their first baby around the end of August and my son was so happy that he would be a part of that. Now that has changed. The part that really hurts the most is that I will have no way of telling him when the baby is here!!!
Yea I will call the Red Cross but it’s just not the same. I want to give my son a big hug and tell him I love him and Congratulations it’s a BOY!!!!!!!
I am so proud of my son and all of the 172 Stryker brigade. PLEASE BE SAFE AND COME HOME SOON. WE LOVE YOU ALL
Mom in PA
… my husband is a soldier in the U.S. Army …
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
My name is
Our husbands were due home any day. Alot of there equipment and supplies had been packed up and were on there way home. My kids and I had made t.shirts to wear when we would pick up daddy saying how much we missed him and how happy he was home and safe. We had made signs. We had cleaned the house. My boys who hate to clean helped saying “Won’t daddy be so proud of us?” We went grocery shopping and bought all of the good stuff that daddy loves. We bought stuff to make special cookies and pies and cakes.
July 27th. What an awful day …
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
July 27th. What an awful day.
I started my morning thinking “okay 7 days left, what needs to be done now? Hhhmm the sign needs to be made welcoming my husband home. Check. The vacuuming and all can wait till we’re at the day before mark but I should start getting other things ready so that when I get to the last 3 days or so I’m not overwhelmed with “return home” work”.
At lunch time I get the call. Our guys are being delayed. At first I was like “No big deal, how long a week or so?” When I was told 4 months at least I was like “WHAT!?!”
Slowly, day after day the shock wore off and anger replaced it. That our country would do this to ITS SOLIDERS! and ITS FAMILIES!
I’ve heard many soldiers say that 6 months over there is tough. It’s draining, it’s tiring, it’s frustrating living day to day in the desert surrounded by a bunch …
I am the wife of a Soldier who has served his country …
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
I am the wife of a Soldier who has served his country for 15 years, and the Mother of a son who has served two. The last year my son has served his country proudly with the 172nd SBCT. So I am very familiar with military life.
The phone call that we received at 3:30 a.m. was devastating to say the least. This extension has created havoc on every member of the 172nd and their families. I do not agree with the Government doing this to our soldiers. They are tired, and they have done their jobs for a year now and it’s time for them to come home and try to have some normal lives.
And for those of you that say…..”they need to suck it up, it’s their jobs”, they know that. They joined up proudly to serve our country and knew that one day they might be called up to defend and protect, and that’s what they are doing. But they also deserve a break.
I have read a lot of the previous submissions and I will have to say …
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
I have read a lot of the previous submissions and I will have to say that I agree and disagree with them. As a former member of the military I have to say that I have always been 110% behind Bush and this war and everything he stands for. This extension has made me begun to question all of that.
My husband is in the 172nd and was supposed to have been home last Sunday. I am still trying to pick up the pieces, get used to the idea that he will not be home, trying to work with the idiots at the airlines and cruise lines and getting monies refunded from planned leave expenses. The nation says the support our troops but yet when something horrible like this happens no one has the balls to stand up to Rumsfeld and say, Um…Hello?! Think about what you are doing to our troops and their familes.” But I guess that is the problem. They just don’t care!
Please do not publish my name for my son’s safety …
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
Please do not publish my name for my sons safety.
I had counted the days for him to touch the USA soil, I finally felt like I could breathe.Two days before he was to leave Iraq he was given the NOTICE. I support my son but I do not support the decision to keep the 172nd .
This is down right cruelty. I can’t sleep at night, my mind is constantly wondering about our guys and their safety. To do this to these GREAT, BRAVE, and PROUD soldiers is despicable.
They have served their time, they should be home. To think they can have their bags packed and papers signed , then get the news they aren’t coming home and being moved into Baghdad is mind blowing. Yet they are expected to swallow IT so easily as if nothing WRONG has been done.
I am writing this letter in hopes for a positive outcome …
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
I am writing this letter in hopes for a positive outcome.
I am disappointed and appalled by what has been done to 3500 of our best soldiers, the soldiers of the 172nd Brigade to be exact. They don’t realize now what they have done and certainly have not considered the long term effects. Obviously they just don’t care.
Let me remind you these soldiers have been in Iraq for a year. Working much harder a lot harder. In any normal job somebody works 40 hours a week which is 160 hours a month (with no overtime) & would be one thousand nine hundred twenty hours for one year. These soldiers in Iraq are working three thousand nine hundred and thirty six hours a year. That is 2 times more than the normal work week.
They have been there for what would seem like 2 years. They were in route ready to go home finally, but things changed. …
Bring them all home, From this lie of a war.
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
Bring them all home, From this lie of a war.
Thank you so much for setting up this site. When I read …
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
Thank you so much for setting up this site. When I read the letters that have been sent i realize im not alone. i think this web site is a way we ( the families of these soldiers ) can voice our thoughts. if any information is out there about who we can put pressure on to bring our loved ones home, please post on line. again bless you travis for starting up this site. GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS
I’m a fiancee of a soldier in the 172nd stryker …
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
I’m a fiancee of a soldier in the 172nd stryker brigade as well. My soldiers family and I are blessed becasue he hasn’t been there as long as the others, but this news still was devasting for all of us! We had planned to get married early September when he could return home and everything was planned down to a tee! Invitations out, Family members buying plane tickets from out of town, everything! I know we’ll get married when he does come home, but overall it just was very disappointing!
Now, all we can do is keep our soldiers in our prayers for the new missions ahead of them! For me, keeping myself as busy as possible, taking full time college courses and working full time to hopefully help pass the time quickly before my soldiers returns! All of the soldiers are in my continueous thoughts and prayers! Hope we all hear word from our soldiers in Baghdad soon!
I miss hearing my soldiers voice or seeing his screen name on instant messanger! I’m upset that this happened bu …
My boyfriend is in the 172nd stryker brigade. I am outraged …
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
My boyfriend is in the 172nd stryker brigade. I am outraged and disgusted at the decision to extend the troops. It might have been easier for the soldiers and their familiys to accept had their been more notice of the extension. I cant even imagine how the soldiers must feel. They were all packed up and ready to come home, and then just hours before they left, they get the news. Its horrible!
I fully support the troops and their families! I will keep voicing my oppinion and doing whatever it takes to help the troops until they come home. I pray for the troops and their families everyday. I’m writing congress and doing whatever it takes to get our troops home! I love my boyfriend and I will always stand by his side. The soldiers need all the support they can get right now. BRING THEM HOME!
I can’t believe some of the letters on the “other letters” section …
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
I can’t believe some of the letters on the “other letters” section. I wish I could meet the writers face to face…It certainly was the last thing I wanted to read right now. They clearly have no idea what it’s like to be deployed to Iraq, and that “decorated vet” seems to be too clueless about the war to be a vet. Us policing Iraq is not going to stop terrorist attacks like 9-11. And what’s that crap about a “mushroom cloud”? Sounds to me like he’s not following what our brigade or any brigade is doing. Very ignorant. I’d love to meet this person, oh man.
It’s not good to mess with a raging military spouse, male or female. Out of all the heartache this has and will cause, this man and a couple others, have the nerve to sit there and talk crap about how we’re handling this stupid extension. Oh God, I want to meet him. Of course our guys will do their job, but our government isn’t often right and the pentagon has proven to be unintellignet with it’s handling of …
Last month I had our local small newspaper write a story …
By admin on Friday, August 11, 2006
Last month I had our local small newspaper write a story of my sons return from iraq and the plans we had made for his leave in sept. now i will be asking them to print news of his extened deployment and the effect that it has had on our family. i also will ask them to print information about your site and encourage people to speak out for our troops. our voices need to be heard and we need speak for our soldiers who can not voice their opions. i will stay strong for my son but we need to let people know how we feel about what they have done to our soldiers and their families. thanks again for the support you are giveing the families.
