Stryker Brigade News

To say we accepted the extension is fine. To say we embraced the extension is not true. We HAD to ACCEPT the mission, but we certainly do not want to be here and we did not and continue not to EMBRACE anything but the dreams of going home.

I'm quite impressed that Rumsfeld (I'm no fan of his) actually took the time to discuss his visit with COL Shields.

I'm proud of all you soldiers who do your duty, especially the ones who do so without complaint.

God bless you all.

My husband didn't embrace it. His yearlong deployment has left him very negative about "the mission", so an extra 4 months tacked on is nearly driving us insane. We were forced to deal with this and it was not something we accepted lightly. My husband and I did not hear anything about an extension until after the news leaked it out.

One last thing: I can appreciate trying to paint a positive picture on this extension (I guess), but it would be nice if these stories from our commanders weren't all about looking good to the rest of the world. Most of these soldiers and families were traumatized. They work hard to this day, but all so many of them talk about is how much they want to come home, and how confused they are about this mission. The story can be painted anyway the leaders like, but the truth stays the same, it was a low blow and one we still don't understand.

Wow another lie, is anyone really surprised that they are trying to say our soldiers embraced this??? Before my husband left we were prepared for an 18 month mission but even with that knowledge it still was a blow. We accepted it and he is doing his job. Maybe if these lies weren't told so often there would be a little bit more trust with our husbands leaders. Finding out by the media was very hurtful. People got calls from family and friends before the spouses were even notified and he can say all he wants that he went on a video conference all he wants but who was that too??? The officers wives. Yeah I feel special.

There is a time and a place for propaganda in war; this is not it. It it senseless to publically post a story that the soldiers, their spouses, their families and their friends know is not true.

Is it possible that some Stryker troops actually have "embraced" this extension? Sure, anything is possible. But I know my Stryker soldier has not. And from comments on this site and in countless stories elsewhere, it is clear that while they must accept the extension, there are scant few who "embrace" it.

The war in Iraq is a worthy cause being championed by worthy men and women. Please do not cheapen it - or insult the intelligence and integrity of the soldiers and their supporters - by putting out such patent nonsense as this.

God bless 'em all.

Wow. That's all I can say. Wow. Here is a commander, putting out a positive message. It's posted on a public website, and the only comments are dissention and disagreement to the message/mission. And that's fine. That's your right. But remember the "bad guys" can read this as easy as us. Is it propaganda? Maybe, sure. But remember they can use YOUR negative words and thoughts in THEIR propaganda too. And frankly, that is the last impression we need out there, especially of our soldiers, and most especially in the hands of the very men who they are fighting! But hey, I'm sure those nasty insurgents would never read a site named STRYKER news.com right?

I fought in Iraq from 2004-2005 and I can say that I think the entire year in Iraq I saw maybe 2 or 3 computers. None of which had the internet. It shouldn't matter what people post because I think that there are too many people who have this McCarthy mentality that the communists, in our case, insurgents are everyone reading everyone's personal views. I think that whatever people post on here is probably nothing new anyway. They do get CNN, BBC, and several other major news stations. This website has never posted anything valuable to them. It has never contained troop movements, locations, routes, etc. for them to benefit. Please get over this cold war mentality. From experience in Baghdad, Fallujah, and Mosul with the stryker brigade.. the insurgents for the most part are not that smart or even have the proper equipment to look up myspace or strykernews or anything of that sort. All they gotta do is turn on the TV.

You know what? Those insurgents are well aware - and have been for some time-of how upset our soldiers are. In fact, they put out a news broadcast the day our soldiers pulled into Baghdad, saying to keep the attacks low because these soldiers are mad. How about that? Do our soldiers lack in efficiency because they are upset, NO. Give them credit. I really can't understand how a family member of someone intended to fight for our freedoms, is OK with gobbling up whatever the government says. Our country was built to have minimal government involvment, now they are dictating everything we do. It defeats the prupose of freedom, when people are dying because we never question how things are being run. Try thinking about that, all of you who insult those of us that are starting to open our eyes. And how dare you insult soldiers who are fed up? If anything, they are the ones who will hold our country together in the future, because their thoughts change to fit the issue... they can learn AND they can fight. There's nothing wrong with those who support what's going, or those who don't. There is something wrong with ADULTS who post just to insult other families who don't think like them. It is important to have a balance in a serious issue, why can you not understand that? I used to support this war 100%, but I pay attention to my husband's experiences on a daily basis, and we both changed our opinions to fit ALL of the experiences we have had. Remember, soldiers have died in this extension who did not even understand what their purpose was anymore. We're all struggling trying to find it. It's sad that people have to be attacked when they are trying to ask much needed questions for the safety of ALL soldiers, not just their own...that's the most noble thing civilians can do for their soldiers, not buck up and stay ignorant.

"Do our soldiers lack in efficiency because they are upset, NO. Give them credit."

is that what I said? No. No it's not. It's about THEIR perception of our forces. You don't think it pleases our enemies to see our own military families protesting? You don't think it pleases them to see soldiers speaking out against the govt? You bet it does! It's ammunition. We have the best troops in the world, upset, happy, makes no difference. They do their jobs and they do it better than anyone. In WW2, the enemies used any negative thing they could find against our troops, including messages over loud speakers announcing their wives were back home cheating on them, that was their propaganda and if you don't believe me, google "Tokyo Rose" and she was a US citizen. You do what you want, you speak out, you protest, shout it from the roof tops if you must. But don't expect that there aren't any of us willing to shout equally as loud with an opposite opinion. And just because I and MANY wives have "bucked up" through this, does not mean we're ignorant. We have opinions, we have seen what everyone else is seeing, but we don't put it out there for the wrong people to see and use. And *gasp* not all of us believe what you do, what other commentors do. Imagine that, a differing opinion. I didn't post to insult anyone, and I didn't insult anyone. I simply pointed out another view. What the perception could be used as. You read into it, then retaliate with

"that's the most noble thing civilians can do for their soldiers, not buck up and stay ignorant"

Who's throwing insults? This whole extension has been littered with the whole "if you don't disagree with it you're an idiot" mentality and frankly I'm sick of it. I was just as mad, just as shocked, and i want my husband home just as bad as anyone else. I just don't believe that calling people in charge liars, and protesting on websites is going to make it happen any sooner. It happened, it sucked, we move on. You do it your way, I'll do it mine. Differing views and all.

Oh, so since my son has not embraced the mission the bad guys might find out he's pissed? I wouldn't want to be a bad guy making my son angry when he's already annoyed. My son has done his job with steadfastness and honor and has earned the right to question his commanders take on the extension if he so chooses.
War is hell on the homefront, too and I was furious with Rumsfeld's cavalier attitude towards family members shock and dismay (to put it mildly)over the extension. That man has a serious disconnect from reality. I'm saddened by the 5 families who have been shattered by losing their soldier during the extension.

This is such a rough time for everyone,but the fact of the matter is that no one but the 172nd and families know what we have all gone through. I am personally so stressed by wondering every minute of every day whether my child is safe I have pretty much lost it. However we can not get into it with each other no matter what. Have your different ideas and agree to disagree but all we really want now is to get our loved ones home safe and sound. We are a family,like it or not , and we must stick together. God Bless the 172ndSBCT and our family. When we get our group home let us go online and comment just how great it is to have them home and how proud we,and the country. are of them. I for one can not wait ot just HUG my kid.

Steph,

Well said. Soldiers are adults. They understand that they fight for our right to hold open debate and demand accountability of our leaders. They are professionals who do not let the rancorous exercise of democracy affect the execution of their mission.

Free speech and redress of grievances are fundamental National strengths, bedrock elements of our way of life. We should never allow fear of our enemies' actions to silence us.