Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth
month of duty in Iraq, I was forced to return to the
USA for surgery for an injury I sustained prior to
my deployment. With luck, I'll return to Iraq in
January to finish my tour. I left Baghdad and a war
that has every indication that we are winning, to
return to a demoralized country much like the one I
returned to in 1971 after my tour in Vietnam. Maybe
it's because I'll turn 60 years old in just four
months, but I'm tired:
I'M TIRED:
Of spineless politicians, both
Democrat and Republican who lack the courage,
fortitude, and character to see these difficult
tasks through.
Of the hypocrisy of politicians
who want to rewrite history when the going gets
tough.
Of the disingenuous clamor from those that
claim they 'Support the Troops' by wanting them to
'Cut and Run' before victory is achieved.
Of a mainstream media that can only focus
on car bombs and casualty reports because they are
too afraid to leave the safety of their hotels to
report on the courage and success our brave men and
women are having on the battlefield.
That so many American's think you
can rebuild a dictatorship into a democracy over
night.
That so many ignore the bravery of
the Iraqi people to go to the voting booth and
freely elect a Constitution and soon a permanent
Parliament.
Of the so called 'Elite Left' that
prolongs this war by giving aid and comfort to our
enemy, just as they did during the Vietnam War.
Of anti-war protesters showing up
at the funerals of our fallen soldiers. A family
who's loved ones gave their life in a just and noble
cause, only to be cruelly tormented on the funeral
day by cowardly protesters is beyond shameful.
That my generation, the Baby Boom
- Vietnam generation, who have such a weak backbone
that they can't stomach seeing the difficult tasks
through to victory.
That some are more concerned about
the treatment of captives than they are the
slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.
That when we find mass graves it
is seldom reported by the press, but mistreat a
prisoner and it is front page news.
Mostly, I'm tired that the people of this
great nation didn't learn from history that there is
no substitute for Victory.
Sincerely,
Joe Repya
Lieutenant Colonel
U. S. Army
101st Airborne Division
