OT: Troops in Iraq Christmas Q

lovethesea

lovethesea

Active Member
HEY TheRock..............
I just got an email from my Dads area Fort Benning. Its a list of names and people wishing all you guys best wishes. Actually I think a Mom started it to have to send to her son and his men. Many names of well wishers and thanks. I didn't want to email it to you without your permission......
 
lovethesea

lovethesea

Active Member

Originally posted by doodle1800
Ft Benning - 4 weeks of hell. Jump school - July of 1975....
My Dad actually was 82nd Airborne Fort Bragg. Yep, jumped outta perfectly safe airplanes and tried to get me to do the same.
NO WAY. they dropped him hundreds of times in the jungle of Nam. Yikes. No wonder his legs are shot.
He hangs around Ft. Benning to give some of his friends H*ll :)
Hey I love the new smilie well , he's not showing up. Cute though
 
lovethesea

lovethesea

Active Member

Originally posted by doodle1800
82nd AB - Fort Bragg - 1975-1978
what about your dad - when was he there?

Boy, I have to ask him, he was a Field Officer at the time of Viet Nam so they invited him back 3 + times. They were dumping him and his men into the jungle and saying "do your job and find your way out" Yikes!! He just retired not too long ago as a Colonel. They wanted to promote him, but he was done. He gave me his unitform blouse, I am going to take everthing off of it (I think) and place into a frame/shadow box with some pictures. He even has some really cool French jump wings.
Do you still jump? He keeps telling me I would love every second of it. NOT!!!!! :nope:
 
doodle1800

doodle1800

Active Member
No - I stopped jumping when I got out - I like static lines...:) They tried to promote me too, but I was done. I was only a spec 4 - one below sergeant (sp?)... I went in when Viet Nam was ending but I got all their benefits - school and home loan. My son is trying to talk me into jumping when he turns 20 - I said no. Tomorrow (Sunday) he solos - flying, and he's only 16 - doesn't even have a drivers license yet...
 
txreefer

txreefer

Member
I would like to point out that we have American soldiers also in Afghanistan at this time. It is also a war zone. I should know, because I am a Chaplain over here with the Civil Affairs soldiers. So much of America's attention is now on Irag, that the soldiers here are getting left out of the loop. I know for a fact that this is hurting the morale of a lot of the troops here. However, the men and women in Operation Enduring Freedom are fighting on and doing what they believe in. So, I would encourage you to not forget the soldiers in other places besides Iraq.
Sorry about the long "editorial", but I am I the one who has to talk with the soldiers here who feel like they are getting "dumped on" because we are forgotten here. I hope all of you have a wonderful day.
I would also like to add that care packages to soldiers away from home mean a lot. So, if you have family or friends over the pond fighting against terrorism, don't forget them (wherever they are).
PS - If you would like to see my pics of Afghanistan check out - www.afghanchaplain.smugmug.com
 
doodle1800

doodle1800

Active Member
My brother Steve arrived in Kuwait Sunday morning - getting ready to send him a care pak now.... He's already served in Bosnia and a few other places, so he's a true veteran. His wife is nervous as you know what - she sent him off last Wednesday.
I agree with the news totally focusing on Iraq for now. But the media also is responsible for this. We hear of hardly anything from Afgan. I have no idea on how many troops are over there, and what there mission is right now. Maybe you can enlighten us Chaplain?
 
txreefer

txreefer

Member
I would be happy to share what is going on over here in Afghanistan. At the present time we have over 10,000 troops on the ground. Many of them are Special Operations Soldiers. They are still going into the badlands of southeastern Afghanistan looking for the Taliban, AQ, and the HIG (another anti-Karsi group). Besides all the war going on over here there are also some very good things going on. Because of the stability in the northern half of the country there are new roads being built, the banking system is starting to work again, people are actually being able to vote for the new president, we are helping to develop a new constitution. And one of the greatest things that I have seen is the nuber of children (both boys and girls) going to school. The UN estimated that during the 2003 school year there would be 1.5 million kids in school. The actual number is over 3.5 million.
While the soldiers here may not be on the front page, there are still very good things going on. Please continue to pray for our soldiers everywhere. That means more than you can know.
PS - I am so GLAD that Saddam was captured!!!! I am almost jealous of my fellow soldiers in Irag that were part of that historic moment. But I am so happy for them. :joy:
 
goobernif

goobernif

Member
give him a piece of a native plant that keeps it's smell. like when i was in australia for two years i had some cedar, pine and some sage-brush scraps. when it got tough i'd take them out of the envelope and smell them... it made life easier. of course i'm just an idiot... but it worked for me.
 
humuhumu

humuhumu

Member
I just want to thank all our fellow Americans in arms, especially those in harms way. I wish all of you who can't be home with your families a Merry Christmas and a safe return home. Thanks for what you do.
Here's me (USN retired) and my detachment in the gulf.
 
doodle1800

doodle1800

Active Member

Originally posted by Goobernif
when it got tough i'd take them out of the envelope and smell them...
wonder what else I can send him that will smell good... :D
like a scratch and sniff....
 
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