Letter From a Soldier

Originally Posted by klamath
You can never really know if it is real but it sounds like it to me. I wrote my own letter and I find his facts about the war to be true. I am sure that many have seen where I have posted it before.

I have been in three active duty deployments. The first one was during Desert Storm to back fill with my company in Texas and Honduras. Three of us would never come back from that deployment as a nighttime medevac mission went terribly wrong and two of our pilots and a flight medic would die on a hillside in a fiery crash. My next deployment was in a place called Bosnia, and while we all came back, most of us will never forget the long awaited day of departure when an air war started in a place called Kosovo and the plane that was to take us home couldn't fly into the closed airspace. So since the politicians didn't want us to be too heavily armed in this police action, we had to give all our ammo to our replacements and make a bus trip through the worst area of the country, absolutely defenseless.
I have been a Republican since I was 14 years old, typing up my own Reagan posters in 1976. I ranted every time I heard statements that the phony baloney actor cowboy from California would never win a general election. When the impossible happened and he was elected, I watched a good portion of Reagan's agenda go down to defeat against a Democratic Congress. I dreamed if only we could get the presidency and the congress, we could really lower the deficit, cut back on the government's size and intrusiveness, and make sure that US troops were never sent to a war that wasn't in direct defense of our nation, with their hands tied and given a mission they could never complete. In the year 2000, by 537 votes, my dream came true.
How well I have been rewarded;
Mark Foley preaching of morality while attempting to have a homosexual affair with a page and being covered up by those in power.
Finding out Newt Gingrich was having an affair at the same time as Clinton.
Listening to Rush Limbaugh from the day he started his talk radio on KFBK ridiculing people of the libertarian beliefs on drugs and then finding out he was smuggling and using illegal drugs himself.
Having to listen to Senator Craig try and talk his way out of guilty plea in a restroom stall bust.
Watching Bush and the Republican Congress create a huge deficit with pork barreling and spending to increase the power of the federal government.
Disregard for the Bill of Rights.
I have watched young men and women fighting and dying in a war with no clear objective, being sent on multiple deployments, then being hit with a stop loss when their enlistment’s were up and sent again to play the game of Russian Roulette in the 135 degree blazing sands. Even when they finally finish serving their country and try and build a life after combat they receive letters recalling them to active duty to serve yet another tour so that the politicians that claim that our country is in an all out fight for it’s survival can avoid instituting the draft because that might be unpopular and they might lose their job.
All the while I am choking out excuses against critics.
I voted for Bush in '04 because how could I vote for a guy that openly admitted to committing atrocities in Vietnam while he was an officer and should have had the leadership and moral courage to stop it?
I have to admit I supported the war, which I can back up with a DOD DD form 214 showing my service in Iraq. Both Clinton and Bush told me of the WMD. God help us if Saddam drops one of those on a US city, I thought. By the time I served my tour it was at the same time my son in the Marines was in Falujah and it was after it was decided the WMDs would never be found.
Many air missions I stood by my helicopter and saluted with tears in my eyes as the body bags containing the remains of my fellow US GI's (some weighting less than 30 pounds) were loaded on my helicopter.
Coming home from one of these missions, I read the string of increasingly frantic emails from my wife about the SuperStallion helicopter that had gone down in the western Iraqi desert. She was reading the partial list of fatalities and recognized the names of our son's Marine buddies on it. After many agonizing hours we found out God had spared our son as him and a buddy were moved to Chock 2 at the last minute, sparing him the fate of 31 of his company comrades in what is still the worse helicopter crash of the war.
On one air mission as our flight of two passed over a road that was a MSR (Main supply route) that was torn and ragged from IED craters Chock two sighted a battered white jeep parked along the road. They diverted to investigate and caught a man digging a hole in the road, an almost sure sign he was planting an IED. When he caught sight of the American Blackhawk helicopter he jumped into the jeep and raced away. Chock two fired a string of tracers in front of him and forced him to stop. Our air mission commander felt we had to hold this guy until American infantry could investigate and question him. The radio on our helicopter wasn’t working so we took over guarding the jeep while chock 2 climbed to altitude to make a radio call. I was the right hand crewchief gunner and it was up to me to protect us against any action this man might take. Our blackhawk was a passenger ship and we had a mix of 14 Iraqi civilians and American troops aboard. Me and my M60 was all that stood between us and a possible RPG attack and my air mission commander (AMC) warned me to keep this man covered at all times as we orbited. The man dismounted the vehicle as well as his wife, a son about 10 and a daughter about 3 and I found myself in the situation I most feared, having to make a judgement call like this. Had I not been one to argue with instructors about illegal orders I would have taken the easy way out and just kept my weapon trained on this family as I was ordered. Since all it would take was a slight bump of the trigger to unleash the first of 300 rounds of 7.62mm ammo, I made the moral judgement call to lower the weapon. I could clearly see the man and knew I could react if he went for a weapon. For an hour we orbited and suddenly the man said something to his wife and son, and they got into the jeep. Picking up the little girl the man headed for the drivers seat. I informed my pilot and AMC that they were attempting to leave. My pilot brought the helicopter to a hover, twenty feet in front of the jeep and broadside to the road. The rotor wash from our rotor system driven by two screaming turbines with a combined output of over 3000hp, blasted the man and little girl now standing in front of the radiator grill. For long minutes I stared at this man but what I was seeing was the clear, dark, scared, yet uncrying eyes of the little girl as her dark hair, driven by our rotor wash, whipped across her face. Though my grand daughters are mostly blue eyed and blond but of the same age, they are what I was seeing in those eyes and face. “Is this how I am protecting my own. My God this is insane!” I suddenly thought in anguish.
This image sticks with me to this day.
I took an oath to defend the constitution and I didn't take that lightly. That oath to defend the constitution also includes the Eighth Amendment. That part about Cruel and unusual punishment. I was sickened to hear so many Americans defended the torture of non citizens. I have pleaded with the American people to read the constitution. Nowhere does it say US citizens are the only ones granted these rights if a person is held by our government. I have pleaded with them to read that document called the Declaration of Independence. "We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal." I remembered as a young boy in school talking with my brother in pride that the highest law in our land held our government from inhuman acts and how it stood America apart as the greatest country in the world. I have asked Americans to face the images of torture committed on human beings grabbed from foreign lands that may or may not have done anything to us. I could understand torture right after 9/11 as a crime of passion but 6 year later it can be none other than premeditated, with malice aforethought. It makes me sick to think my fellow Americans are condoning this and I can only quote a man that lived 2000 years ago, in anguish "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do."
The war we should have fought is with Osama Bin Laden and his small group of radical Muslims like Congressmen Ron Paul voted to do. The battle of Iraq was a mistake of both the Democrats and Republicans that voted to go to war. We need to get out of the Middle East and deprive Al Qaeda the rallying and recruitment point of American occupation. If some are thinking I have become an appeaser and pacifist and a cut and runner you could not be more wrong but I have been dishonored by this countries leaders by sending me to fight people in a country that had nothing to do with the horrible killing of Americans on 9/11. It is my firm belief that all things in this universe are about force and counterforce and the struggle to survive. War and terrorism, which are one in the same, will always be in this universe and I will fight for my freedom and right to live without hesitation however it is a ghastly horrible thing that can bring out the worse elements of human nature. If we can find different strategies that cost less in human life and defuse the constant human struggles where it is possible and where they involve us we should go that route.
People have told me “I told you so” about voting for Bush but there is no doubt in my mind if Gore or Kerry had been elected we would have still been involved in this awful war. I feel I was wrong about the war and have to admit my mistake. As I looked around for a leader to replace Bush I had to go back in history and see who was making sounder judgments during the time of 9/11 hysteria and found it wasn’t any of the well known Democrats and Republicans. That person was Congressman Ron Paul
Ron Paul is a man that has been married to the same woman for 50 years and stands by his principals even if it means standing against his party. He is a congressman that raises most of his contributions from small donors because big money knows his votes cannot be bought. He stands by his oath to defend the constitution, even when it is not popular. Paul voted against going into Iraq when most all America wanted to kick ass for he alone amongst the Republicans and most of the Democrats running had the foresight of what it would lead to and knew it was wrong to began with.
Ssg CAARNG Ret.

A Great story a few years earlier emphasizes Dr. Pauls consistancy of fundamental thought;


December 6, 2007
 Presidential Candidate Ron Paul Bears Empty Pot For Americans
Carl Fiser

(Smithtown, N.Y.) Many contend that Ron Paul, although an honest, plain-talking man, comes to the 2008 presidential campaign podium without a lot of achievement.  While in office, he hasn’t steer-headed proposed legislation into law, or galvanized broad-based support for this national agenda or that, or even been on board with most post-911 bills and actions.  For almost twenty years, he’s been a dedicated representative for his Texas District and has not a potpourri of achievements about which to boast on the presidential campaign trail.  Is this exactly true?  How could someone serve for so long, and have so little to show for it?

At this time, I should share a story I heard from two entertainers at my son’s grade school.  The entertainers were turning books from different parts of the world into short, little plays, in order to spark the children’s interest in reading.  The following story took place centuries ago in the Far East.

The wise, old emperor was keenly aware that he was getting along in years, and he worried about finding a suitable replacement to lead the people.  One day, he solicited the young people of his kingdom to gather, and he shocked them by telling them that he would be stepping down and that he would choose one of them to be his successor.  “I am going to give each one of you a seed today, a very special seed.  I want you to plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed.  I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next emperor!”

One young man named Ling, a son of a farmer, was there that day, and he was certain that he could cultivate that seed better than anyone else.  He got a pot, filled it with rich soil and watered it carefully.  Day after day, he checked the pot.  Weeks passed by, then months, and still nothing had grown.  Other youths from the kingdom began to talk about their plants and flowers and trees, but Ling said nothing.  He was sure that he somehow had killed the seed.

After a year had passed, all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection.  Ling’s first inclination was not to attend, but he showed up that day, sick to his stomach.  He was amazed at the plants that the others had brought.  They were of all different varieties and all so beautiful.  Some of the others made fun of Ling’s empty pot and others felt pity for him.  Ling stood toward the back of the crowd.
 
 The emperor looked over the vast array and seemed pleased.  Then, he spotted Ling standing at the back of the room with his empty pot, and he ordered his guards to bring the young man to the front.  Ling was led grudgingly, fearful that he may be punished for his utter failure.  The emperor asked his name.  “My name is Ling,” he replied.  Now, all the youths were laughing and making fun.  The emperor then announced to the crowd, “Behold your new emperor!  His name is Ling!”
 The emperor continued,

One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed.  I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it and bring it back to me today.  But I gave you all boiled seeds which would not grow.  The rest of you substituted your own seeds for the one I gave you, but Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it.  Therefore, he is the one who will be your new emperor!
 Ron Paul, like Ling, is a great truth-teller.  His voting record is one of the most consistent
 this writer has ever seen.  No flip-flops are to be found. As well, he is a courageous and wise man, and a heck of an economist.  Just ask the Wall Streeters.  However, he bears to his fellow countrymen (and countrywomen), an empty pot.  He can’t claim to have brought you wars or higher taxes, which we now have.  He never brought you an unbalanced budget, which is a perennial joke.  He never voted himself a wage increase and, to this day, gives back part of his salary every year.  He has always voted to preserve the Constitution, cut government spending, lower healthcare costs, end the war on drugs, secure our borders with immigration reform and protect our civil liberties.  Sorrowfully, he was outvoted or shot down on all measures.  The Constitution has been chiseled down, government spending is through the roof, healthcare costs are out of control, the war on drugs keeps getting less effective, immigration issues remain unresolved and our civil liberties have been crimped for our own safety.   I’ll just throw in that Ron Paul opposes regulation of the internet, which has been a revolution in the exchange of ideas, this article being a case in point.

The eye-popping reality of the situation is this.  No longer can it be said that Ron Paul is running for President.  Amazingly enough, his candidacy has been hijacked, and it appears now that the people are running for President. . . through Ron Paul!  That’s the true revolution about which your neighbors are speaking.

So, do you want the plants and flowers that your other government representatives have cultivated for you year after year, or do you want an open and honest effort at change, not for the powerful interests, but for you and for members of your family yet to arrive.  If you want to see an unprecedented effort at change - starting with the only man on the campaign trail who is not afraid to tell you the truth - your action must start now.  Get informed.  Get angry.  Get talking to your neighbors.  Then, get to the voting booths!

As are ALL of his writings, Dr. Paul is spot on in this muse;

2010 State Of  The Republic
Ron Paul: "Dangerous times ahead"

Congressman Ron Paul:

It is impossible to predict the time when confidence will be lost, but it can come quickly. Resorting to buying other paper currencies will not be of much help. When the dollar crashes, most likely the purchasing power of all currencies-since all countries hold dollars as a reserve-will go down as well.

This means that dollars and other currencies will go into buying consumer items, precious metals and other physical properties. Consumer prices will soar, as well as interest rates. The central bank will lose control; and the more they inflate, the worse the confidence becomes. The interest rates will respond to these efforts by rising sharply.

If the Fed tries to reverse the run on the dollar, interest rates will also soar, and the pain on the American citizens will be of such proportion that political chaos will result. Either scenario leads to political and social chaos-the third event, and the most dangerous.

With no ability of the federal government to fund its commitments, international or domestic, major changes will occur in our system. The social unrest will elicit cries for government to exert unusual force to head off a complete breakdown of law and order. The ultimate trap will be set for a system of government claiming to protect a free society. If more power and police authority are not given to the federal government, it will be argued that only anarchy will result. If more government policing power is given, it will mean a lethal threat to civil liberties. Already we have permitted the notion that a single person, the Attorney General or President, can decide who is an "enemy combatant", thus denying that individual the right to habeas corpus, permitting indefinite detentions without charges made. This attitude toward civil liberties has changed significantly since the fear built around 9/11.

Yes, I know declaring one an "enemy combatant" is reserved for the radical Muslims engaged in terrorism against the United States. To be reassured by this reasoning is quite dangerous and naïve. Logic should not lead us to equate suspects with terrorists, and include American citizens, and yet this has already been set by precedent. Under difficult circumstances, our political leaders will not be hesitant to use these powers to maintain order. Tragically, the people may even demand it.

We are rapidly moving toward a dangerous time in our history. Society as we know it is vulnerable to political and social chaos.

This impending crisis comes as a consequence of our flawed foreign and domestic economic policies, a silly notion about money, ignorance about Central Banking, ignoring the onerous power and mischief of our out-of-control intelligence agencies, our unsustainable welfare state, and a willingness to sacrifice privacy and civil liberties in an attempt to achieve safety and security from an inept government. Dangerous times indeed!

What can be done about it? Must we wait for the inevitable and expect to restore our liberties in a street fight against the overwhelming power of the state? Not a good option!

The only way that we can prevent blood from running in the streets is to offer a better idea of the proper role of government in a society that desires first and foremost -liberty.

And that is impossible without a firm commitment by our thought leaders to the ideas of freedom, the source of all creative energy and prosperity. An all-powerful state is the threat to that ideal.

The prevailing attitude of the people-as it once was in early America-must be that of liberty and self reliance, rather than the nanny state and dependency relying on government force to mold all private choices.

If this is understood, a smooth-although not painless-transition to a free society is achievable. Ignoring this option will be very destructive to everything that is dear to the hearts of most Americans.

What is it that we must do? We must immediately:

• Balance the budget by reducing spending
 • Change our foreign policy to that of non-intervention
 • A full audit and more supervision of the Federal Reserve leading to abolishing the Federal Reserve
 • Legalize competition to the Federal Reserve with competing currencies
 • Regain respect for civil liberties and privacy while reigning in the CIA
 • Wean ourselves off the dependence of wealth transfers by government
 • Abolish crony capitalism-no subsidies, no bailouts, no regulatory or tax privileges to protect the powerful elite, especially the military industrial complex
 • Eliminate the income tax, inheritance tax and taxes on savings and dividends.

None of this can happen without the restoration of Congress to its dominant position of the three Branches of Government as was originally intended by the Constitution. The Executive and Judicial must be reined in, and Congress must assert its prerogatives over all legislation curtailing all unconstitutional agendae through budgetary controls.

Signs abound that angry Americans are now more ready than ever before for a change in direction that is indeed real. If this program were improvised-even suddenly and dramatically-the adjustment, though significant and to a degree somewhat painful, would be much shorter and of minor consequence compared to the chaos and poverty that will result if we refuse to change our gluttonous appetite for a free lunch.

2010 State of the Republic Address