Stryker Brigade News

I am a mom of 10; our oldest is in the 172nd. We got the "extended" call this morning....just this evening he emailed me asking me to please leave a comment here: He says "of course, they are saddened and want to see their families, however, they are WARRIORS. They are honored and gladly go where they are told, and will continue to fight the war of terrorism until it is over. It is their mission and job." He also had plans for a nice trip to Mexico with his buddies and one brother; all has to be cancelled, and refunded. But that is all materialistic at the moment and not the most important task at hand. Our duty is to support them all and yes, pray for them all. They want their weary time there and their personal loss to be worth it, not a slap in the face..So let us stand together, and give them the strength they need in this time of weariness.

Wow, what a flood of emotions and comments as I would have expected. Our sons, daughters, husbands, and wives serving in the military are United States soldiers!!!! and volunteered to do so of there own free will. As my Stryker son gave us the bad news this morning, it was he who was worried about us and how we would handle the news. He assured us that even though the news was untimely and unwelcomed, all are switched on and ready to attack there new mission with the same heroism that they, and there fallen brothers in arms have over the past year in Mosul. If his Great Grandfather and Grand father wouldn't have put there lives on the line in WW2 and against the 1950S NKorea, where would the USA be today. I and our family and friends will continue to support and pray for our Soldiers and their families in the 172nd and all of our Soldiers fighting around the world. It's our responsibility to be strong for them as they take the fight to the enemy of freedom.
God Speed -- Stryker Dad

To America, and the US Army, I apologize for the harsh comments by so many disappointed families. I too cried, so close.. yet so far. However, we stand behind our soldiers and the US government. We committed ourselves as families when our children signed. They signed voluntarily because we brought them up to love and respect this country. God Bless America, and God Bless our Sons and Daughters! Children feed off their parents emotions... you want your soldier down? Act that way and he/she will be! How can they remain at their best, at the top of thier game without the right attitude. You want to put them at in harm's way by their missing something that can alert them to save their life... take away that positive attitude and you WILL harm your child. ROCK ON SON!!! I LOVE YOU! MATTHEW'S MOM

As the wife of a wonderfully strong and awesome soldier, I am very proud of him and all of the other men and women who serve our country. No one in this situation is any worse off than those over there who were anticipating that flight home, excited to be on US soil, see friends and family, only to be told different. I was told tonight along with many other spouses and family members that our 172nd Stryker Brigade is the best at what they do, which is why they have been chosen. Well, tell me something I did not already know! They are awesome, and everyone who has nothing but time on their hands to sit and complain should look in the mirror and thank God for what they have and pray for the Brigade as they head to what is going to probably be the toughest part of this deployment.

I have no patience for people who sit and feel sorry for themselves and cannot face the fact that they have been and truly are blessed to have someone in their lives that they can honestly call a true hero.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the soldiers and families of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. I see that my previous comment was removed so I'll try to be more careful in what I write here. I can sense a great turmoil in your souls and when I feel this way I seek out the words of The Man, a great comforter. As witnessed by his friend, Matthew, He once said:

"The most important of all of the commandments is this: You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with your entire mind, and strength.

Let the second commandment then be, love your neighbor as you love yourself.

This is my commandment: that you love one another as I have loved you! There is no greater law, and there is no greater love manifest than the act of giving up one’s life for a friend.

You have heard it said, 'It is only right to love your friends and hate your enemies.'

But I ask you to love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Show goodness to those who hate you. Pray for those who despise and mistreat you.
Doing this, you will become the children of your Father in heaven; for he makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain to refresh the just and the unjust. If you love only those who love you in return, where is the reward? Even the corrupt live by these rules.

Instead, love one another as I have loved you...Do not be deceived...If you hear my words, and act accordingly, you will be loved by my Father and by me as well, and we will come and make our dwelling with you."

And you know what they say – there’s safety in numbers! Be brave everybody! This too shall pass…

Of course we support our soldiers. We will continue to suppport them as they perform their duty. However, we are not mindless drones who follow the script as provided. I speak for my son, who can't speak for himself. If we don't have the freedom to speak up for our soldiers and insist that our government do right by them, then what is the point of this war?

This whole situation is a bunch of BS! Its not safe or healthy what they are doing to the 172nd. To put them in the most unstable part of Iraq is ignorant. Now we as a family have to wait for our brother and son to come home to Ohio because Iraq STILL CANNOT take care of themselves. How many years and lives is it going to take? I have supported my brother serving his country from the very beginning, and he has done his time! I want him home! No Excuses!!!

Our son should have been on a plane today and it disappointing beyond words that's he's not. But beyond that disappointment is the pride of his professionalism as a US soldier. We know he will get beyond his own disappointment and perform as the soldier he has become, through his training and his experience this past year. Our need to see him is on hold; his need for support and encouragement is primary. We continue to pray for his and all of their protection as they move toward Baghdad. We are proud of you son.

I too am very disappointed that my son has been kept in Iraq for a longer time BUT as disappointed as the rest of his family and I am, I cannot even begin to imagine how he feels. Let us keep ALL these soliders in our prayers......they need them now more than ever.
SoliderMom in Arkansas----Jeanne

BOY THIS IS ROUGH, BUT NOT AS ROUGH AS IT IS FOR OUR SOLDIERS, AND SAYNG THIS I WANT TO SAY HOW PROUD I AM OF MY SOLDIER AND ALL THE MOM'S AND WIVES, AND HUSBANDS AND CHILDREN OF ALL SOLDIERS SERVING THEIR COUNTRY. HAVING TO BE REMINDED OF HOW OUR COMMENTS CAN HELP THE ENEMY IS A TERRIBLE THOUGHT. WE AT HOME WANT TO SUPPORT OUR MILITARY IN EVERYWAY WE CAN AND BEING ANGRY ENOUGH TO SAY SOMETHING THAT MIGHT HELP THE EMEMY IS UNEXCEPTABLE. TO LISTEN TO THE MEDIA REPORTS AND RUMORS, WHO USUALLY GIVE THE WRONG IMPRESSION, IS ALSO UNEXCEPTABLE AND IS SOMETHING I MYSELF HAVE BEEN GUILTY OF. SO, HAVING SAID ALL THIS, AS A MOTHER OF A WONDERFUL BRAVE STRYKER BRIGADE I WILL BE HERE WAITING UNTIL YOU COME HOME. ALL OF YOU CONTINUE DOING A BRAVE, EXCELLENT MISSION AND ALL OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU UNTIL YOU RETURN TO US. REMEMBER SON GOD IS ON ONE SIDE OF YOU AND I'M ON THE OTHER SIDE. TO ALL OF YOU,FAMILIES AND YOUR SOLDIERS, I SAY THE SAME "GOD BLESS YOU".