"I'm Tired"
BY: Joe Repya , Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army 101st Airborne Division

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 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.

I'm tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history when the going gets tough.

I'm tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they 'Support the Troops' by wanting them to 'Cut and Run' before victory is achieved.

I'm tired 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.

I'm tired that so many Americans think you can rebuild a dictatorship into a democracy overnight.

I'm tired 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.

I'm tired 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.

I'm tired of antiwar protesters showing up at the funerals of our fallen soldiers, a family whose 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.

I'm tired 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.

I'm tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of captives than they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.

I'm tired 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

And... its for real...
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/repya.asp

The Colonel has covered everything so I have nothing to add.

He is right on with everything I have seen and/or heard. I used to work at NTC, and got a lot of info just hearing the talk, but I would always talk to the young PFCs and SPCs as well as all the NCOs I could get to speak. They were all pretty much optimistic about things while there, but when they got back and saw the news, they'd be pissed.

F***ing public *******s with a vested interest in teaing down America are to blame, IMNSHO.

good post!

Let the US military do its job

Good catch, and good job checking it is authentic.

This one I´ll spread around.

Now that was a well stated letter!

He is right on many things and everyone knows that politicians think different from ordinary men. But before I herald this letter I would like to hear what he thinks is "victory" in Irak. Just a democratically chosen government isn't enough... Maybe he means a permanent cease fire? I don't know but I hope they make it happen soon!

So what is the evidence of "....every indication that we are winning, ..." in Iraq?

Strongtroll, don't look in the press... go talk to soldiers who have been there. Or better yet, raise you right hand, take an oath and do something with your life that will provide you with first hand knowledge.

This thread is a good start to find out what has been going on over there

Did you know, who knew, all about Iraq

Please note the links towards the end of the actual things mentioned and to not believe that it is just government propaganda. Research does not always start and stop with the answer you want.

Originally Posted by bulldogg

Strongtroll, don't look in the press... go talk to soldiers who have been there. Or better yet, raise you right hand, take an oath and do something with your life that will provide you with first hand knowledge.

Or he should read weblogs written by ordinary soldiers and reporters on the ground