Does anyone from the US have friends or family in Iraq?

Question

I was wondering how our service men and women feel about the war in Iraq. Have any of them expressed their feelings about the war to you? If so, how do they feel?

Thank you all so much for your answers and experiences! The reason I asked this question is because I was driving to work this morning, listening to my cd - and I started thinking about our soldiers who are fighting in another country. I want all of you, and all of the servicemen and women that not everyone is against their operation, and certainly not against them for doing it. I have the utmost respect for all of them, (and you) who have served in the military. I hope that they get some satisfaction from all they have done and the good that will come from it.

I want our troops home...and safe as soon as possible. However, I also understand the importance of "finishing what we started".

I am sure I am not the only one who does not have any friends or family in the military that feels a strong and sincere respect and pride in our military.

Please pass that information along to them, as I think it is important that they know.

Bless you all!

Answer 1

ive been there, my husbands been there, and i have a lot of friends over there currently. of course nobody likes to be there, but the majority of soldiers believe that its necessary. we have done a lot of good things for the country that the media fails to mention. if we were to pull out right now, all those lives we lost and all the time we spent there would be for nothing.

Answer 2

Yes I have a few friends who are stationed over there and each of them of course would like to come home but also want to finish what was started over there. They are soldiers and dedicated. It bothers them how these people have been forced to live for so long and the way so many of the children think. Personally I think we should put up a big fence like the movie escape from new york and let them fend for themselves. They havent changed they way they live in thousands of years and if it wasnt for the fact that the US and other countries showed them how to pump the oil out of the ground they would all still be wondering the deserts on camels and many still are . This is how it was explained to me by one friend. Its like going in to rescue a kidnapped victim and the victim turns on you while you are trying to help them get away because thats the only life they now know. We cant expect to change the way these people think over night when all they know is death and fighting and to them it is an honor to die. It was also told to me that if only for the kids maybe having the chance to finally be a kid that it will all be worth while. I guess kids dont have a childhood over there at least not like the children over here in the states. The kids over there dont ride around on skateboards or go to the movies and go swimming and fishing. They dont go camping with thier families or have places like Disneyland and Magic Mountain or Water world. They dont go to the park and swing on the swings and the little girls dont play barbies . They dont have a prom or school dances and I really doubt that they have any after school activites. There are no boys and girls clubs. Those kids have no enjoyment in life and are brought up being bitter at anything that is not there way. From the time they are born they are brainwashed that only thier way is the right way and that any other way should be stopped. They are taught that it is an honor to die in the process of killing others that do not live the way they do and believe the way that they do. They also learn from a very young age that to mention change or show signs of wanting change is punished by death. These children have no idea what it is to have fun and be a kid. Hopefully one day they will.

Answer 3

Hi Amanda. My husband is currently in Iraq on an 18 month tour of duty. He's been there since June. This is his second tour since 2003 and he is very proud to be there. He actually volunteered to go this time (he didn't choose to go the first time). He believes that he and the other soldiers are over there doing good for the Iraqi citizens (as do I). He knows that they are making great progress over there, even if the news media refuses to talk about it. The news only likes to show the public all of the bad that is happening, because for some sick reason, people prefer to discuss the bad than the good. I think its because some people (definitely not all) make a hobby out of complaining and would have nothing to do if the news didn't tell about people dying and bombs exploding.

Also, my sister-in-law's brother and my cousin-in-law's husband are both in Afganistan right now. They are also on their second tour of duty and believe in fighting this war till the end.

Answer 4

Being retired Army I have currently 15 friends or more in Iraq, and without being to wordy there are Republicans and democrats all wearing the uniform and serving proudly, so how they feel about the war generally falls along party lines with a few differences on each side to the party line norm. But all do their mission and are proud to have served, even if its for a cause that may not necessarily be there.

P.S. I too served in Iraq, I certainly believe in the reasons we went and also trying to establish a democracy, I'm undecided if its going to work although I hope it does.

Answer 5

Good question.
I have many friends currently in Iraq, and several who have gone over the last three years.
What they have to say about it is varied.
One, when I asked him what his impressions of the Iraqi people was, said that they were cowards. He saw them turn a blind eye to the insurgents, and to people setting down IED's.
Another told me that he was helping in the rebuilding, and that the Iraqis were wonderful people. He added that they were quite grateful for what's being done.
Another did nothing but complain, and developed PTSD (strange, because he was just a driver, and never really saw any "action")(he was a POS soldier, everyone knew that. That's why he never made it past the rank of PFC, although he was in for four years!), and yet HE told me that the Iraqis referred to him as their brother.
I've heard a little bit of everything. Some say we're doing good, some say they saw nothing but the worst. Some said we need to stay until we're done, others said quite the opposite.
What I saw was that the soldiers who planned on making the military a career were for the war, even after going. The ones who were POS soldiers who got chaptered out (or who just decided not to reenlist like the one I mentioned earlier that was a PFC for four years) are the ones who did the most complaining and criticizing.
Sorry, that's just my experience.

Answer 6

I have had several friends that have been there are several more that are there know....my little bro will also probly be going within the year. They are split about 50/50 and wether they agree with being there or not, but all are very proud to be serving their country. They also tell me, at least the ones who are back and have seen the recent news that they are very upset with the way the media is only showing the recent dealth tolls and bad news. We don't get to see many of the Iraqies saying thanks for getting rid of Saddam and helping to get a democracy going....there are many who are happy about that. They also tell me that, even though they may not agree with being there now, they know that we have to stay to finish what we started, and we can't just leave.

Answer 7

Two friends and one cousin. All volunteered. A guy from our small church volunteered and was sent to Iraq this year.

I've adopted soldiers thru soldiersangels.com. The guys usually miss their family and especially their kids. Most don't talk politics. Several people enlist for 2-3 tours out there. They don't live in boxes. They have internet and know what's going on.

You can visit www.anysoldier.com to support our troops with letters and stuff

Answer 8

specific in the event that they get to a telephone. Your soldier might have pronounced they're leaving their base, despite the fact that if it does no longer propose they left the rustic yet. They pass from their base to the airport and whilst they arrive on the airport that's an prolonged technique till they actually come domicile. They look ahead to their flight for a million-2 days, that's in lots of cases not on time, then they have some stops. Emergency leave is pushed swifter. They fly to Kuwait to flow from militia airplane to civilian, then provide up in Germany or eire, in spite of this interior the states. Then to the foremost hub of the states. wish this helped. that's an prolonged technique, i know. they might call domicile in the event that they have a calling card or whilst they make a provide up someplace.

Answer 9

I have a friend there now. He was also in Bosnia in the past. He survived his first fire-fight in Iraq relatively recently, but I haven't heard from him much more than that. Pray for him for me. His name is Brad (Gus is his nickname)

I would like to talk to him about all these experiences he's had when he gets back. Last time I talked to him, I think he is kind of cynical about human nature (pray that he doesn't get that way too).

I hope you get some good answers on this one, and thanks for the prayers.

Answer 10

My husband has been there, but not currently. When he was there, he believed in what he was doing. He notices how much of what they do isn't on the news. They've made progress and he knows he'll probably go back to finish things. We also have a long time friend there. He sees heavy action. He's proud of what he does, no matter what anyone here says. In fact, he could be retiring, but volunteered to go. He says he'll retire when he makes it back.