My brother was wounded in Iraq and returned to duty?

Question

They took about 1 oz of shrapnel out of his body. His whole left side is scarred up from all the wounds. I went to visit him in Germany while he was recovering. He was a handsome boy, most of my friends wanted to go out with him. Now I'm not so sure.
Now he's scary looking. Worse than that, he's back in combat and at risk for more injuries or even death. Is that fair? We come from a lower middle class family in a red state. All these people around me say they support our troops, yet other than his immediate family, not one of these people ever send him an e-mail or letter, even though several asked for his address. He'd like some recognition for his sacrifices. He also thinks he's given enough... he says "it's somebody else's turn" but so few are willing to step up, yet they don't want him to get home.

Answer 1

Guys, she is lying about this. Read her other questions, she is just a liberal trolling for people to put down the president.
Her brother would be her "significant other" which is grounds for the military not taking him.

Answer 2

I come from a "blue" state. My son is over in Iraq as we speak. He was home 2 weeks ago on leave. Thank God, he hasn't been injured or killed!

So, you think because you fell for Bush and the Republican Party's load of crap, your family should be exempt? Well, maybe my son should be exempt because I didn't vote Republican! According to your logic, wouldn't that be fair? While I very much support our troops, I am very much against YOUR president's war! I pray daily for my, son, your brother and all of our fine troops who are in harms way! I also pray that our very stupid politicians, Democrat or Republican, can ensure that our troops have EVERYTHING they need to keep themselves safe and to do the job they are there to do. No matter how much I'm against what took them there, I support them and want them to have the very best equipment, training, leadership, etc... Stop whining and thank God that your brother is alive! Forget the people that pay lip service to supporting the troops and ensure that you and your family continue to do so. You can't control the actions of others. As for your brother wanting recognition, tell him to remember, it's better to not get recognition and to be alive than it is to get it for the wrong reasons (like not making it home).

May God bless you and your family.

Answer 3

I sense his frustration coming through you. Being in the military is hard and nobody is going to deny being in Iraq must suck, for American troops or even the Iraqis themselves, the whole situation sucks for everyone there!
I'm going to guess a few years ago, your brother was a high school athlete. This made him popular and attractive to girls. Military or not, not many people remember the high school basketball star of 5 years ago. When he was a senior, there were freshmen that admired him. Even the dumbest freshman graduates in 5 years. That means no students remember him. The teachers and staff don't all stay forever. His name is on the plaques on the walls, but nobody cares. If he dies, his name will be on other plaques on other walls, but sadly nobody cares. That's the cold, cruel world we live in. Uncle Sam was more than happy to use him up and spit him out.

Answer 4

I have done everything I can to send mail to military personnel that don't receive much to no avail. I have not received any answers. My nephew just started his second tour and is proud to do his duty. My son just went active duty so he could go over there even though his (they are getting married today) wife is expecting their first and he may miss out on the birth because he may be deployed. He has been on waiting lists with the National Guard Reserve and decided to go active duty with the Army. Why your brother is fed up may be because he really didn't want to join in the first place. Every one I have come in contact with that is wearing a uniform, I talk to them and ask about their service. No one has said they thought it was someone else's turn. Most were glad that I do what I can to let them know I appreciate their service. That is the only way I have found to show the actual troops that I support them. I send emails to my nephew but I'm sure he doesn't have much time, so I don't hear back. I always tell him to say hey to his buddies for me and that I appreciate what they are doing. I only hope he passes that on. And the last I will say, WHAT IN THE WORLD DOES YOUR ECONOMIC STATUS AND STATE PARTY AFFILIATION HAVE TO DO WITH YOUR BROTHER BEING IN THE MILITARY????????

Answer 5

Just keep supporting your brother, regardless of what others fail to do to back up the talk of support.

Its sad to state, but as a soldier (regardless of red or blue state), I've noticed that Americans in general are all about flag waving, 'let's nuke em til they glow' and We Support Our Troops magnets on their minivans, but when it comes to putting themselves out a little to actually DO something other than offer lip service, they come up short!

Sadly, it IS somebody else's turn to step up and carry the flag. It should NEVER be the burden of a handful to put their loved ones at risk, but everyone. Unfortunately, unless they reinsitute a draft and make wars everyone's business, too many people will continue blindly to go through their daily lives, more concerned about who's the next 'American Idol' than who's fighting on foreign soil.

We in the armed forces appreciate your support. But we would rather you stand beside us on the frontlines, than behind us 6000 miles away! HOOAH!

Answer 6

This is a tough subject.I served two tours in Iraq and was lucky enough to never be wounded even though I was in a combat MOS.I have friends who were though.Some in the exact situation as your brother.They all wanted to return and finish their duty.I am not in any way speaking out against your brother.Just offering views of my personal experience.
I have the utmost respect for your brother and family for the sacrifice.Please email me his contact info.
[e-mail]

Answer 7

I know exactly how you feel. My brother did 2 tours in Iraq. He is in National Guard now so they cannot activate him. We weren't even told he was shot becuase luckilly enough his flack vest caught the bulletts (yes plural). I feel the same way as you do. They have done their duty, now it is someone else's turn. I hope your brother makes it home safe. Just a heads up, he will be different and jumpy for the first few months home, and 4th of July will be a traumatic time for a while. Good luck.

Answer 8

There are enough people 'stepping up.'

And if those friends of your don't want to go out with him because he is no so 'pretty' any more? Sounds like a good thing because he will be better off with someone who is not that shallow.

And veterans rarely get recognition - except from other veterans. Most people simply do not want to admit that they are looking at a better man than themselves.

Answer 9

My brother has served one tour of duty in Iraq, and after he finishes his advanced language training, he will be going again.

His girlfriend just finished her language training and will be going over imminently.

It really does scare me, and piss me off terribly that they will be doing this so that Carlisle group will profit.

I know that he would probably not want to give his email address to someone to whom he does not know, but if he ever wants to talk to someone who cares and will listen, I'm right here, and he can get an answers account and enable email and email through the system here!

Best wishes to all of you!

Answer 10

It is not about other supporting him. What matters most is that his family support him, that is what he needs most. Keep it up!

As far as him going back to duty...he is a soldier. That is his job. He got hurt. He is better. Of course he would return to work.