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Guest Opinion: U.S. soldiers serve honorably, courageously in Iraq

Feb-24-2007 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

By SHANE GRANTHAM

When you step back and disregard the political motivations and public opinion of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, you will find some of the best men and women America has to offer. Typically when I read the paper or watch the news I see fleeting reports of soldiers being injured or killed. In the next breath reporters go on to update the public of the latest gossip and goings on amongst the rich and infamous. What you don't hear of are the good things that are happening and the kinds of things our soldiers go through on a daily basis.

My platoon goes outside the "wire" virtually every day with maybe one day off every two weeks or so. Missions can last 12-plus hours with no break for chow, coffee, cigarettes or a quick game of solitaire while we check our e-mail.

We have lost soldiers that are our friends and family. As I look back on our time here, I can't recall when they complained about working 70-plus weeks under constant life-threatening conditions. Not one time have they said they were afraid to go on a mission. Most of them are young men that are in their early 20s and yet they have had to endure what most people can never even imagine. Despite that, they are men who wear the uniform proudly and walk tall with courage, honor, and integrity. They are men who are still humbled on those occasions when a civilian thanks them for what they do. They are men who look at this, not as a job, but as a way to honor America's proud history.

Let me give you one example of a soldier's drive and heart. On a recent mission, one of our vehicles was hit by a road side bomb. The driver was left unconscious and the members of his squad pulled him out of the hatch.

As we evacuated him and got him to the hospital he became more coherent. While he was lying there waiting to go into surgery, the first thing this brave soldier asked was "When will I be able to go back out on mission?" This is a man that was within 20 to 30 minutes of losing his arm as the broken bones began to cause excessive swelling. His first thought was not of himself, but of being there for those that serve beside him.[...]


Comments For "Guest Opinion: U.S. soldiers serve honorably, courageously in Iraq":

ooh rah ... I can not express how very much I agree with that assessment... I told my neice (her husband is with the 3rd. 2nd. STRYKER BRIGADE) that these young men and women genuinely care about each other and what happens to them has a bearing on all of them... THEY are family THEY are friends and the experiences that they go through WE as civilians can't begin to comprehend... Those that have served together and gone to war together are forever brothers and sisters... I salute them and applaud the unparalled bravery... In some ways I envy them because I believe that their bond is unapproachable in civilian life... My heartfelt prayers is with each and every service member we have
and I sincerely wish that each and every one of them could come home unscathed by their experiences in combat... Again I aprreciate your commitment to each other... Take care of each other and return home to your family and friends who LOVE and MISS you !!!

Posted by: xsgt1 [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 24, 2007 8:24 AM

We support our troops all the way!
God bless our braves soldier and keep them safe until the last one return home!
Eddie' dad 5/20 3/2 SBCT.

Posted by: STRYKERDAD,PR [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 24, 2007 10:17 AM

Amen, Amen, Amen. Thank you to each and every soldier who has sacrificed so much for our freedom. My son is a soldier with the 172nd SBCT (I know they are now a different battalion but have yet to learn it). We are so proud of him and his wife who have both sacrificed the "normal" family routines of life. God Bless each of you, soldier and family member. This Stryker Mom thanks you from the depths of her heart.

Posted by: strykermom55 [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 24, 2007 11:21 AM

Thank-you from the bottom of our hearts. We live in the lower 48 and our son serves with the 1/25 re-flagged Stryker Brigade from Ft. Wainwright. We pray for all your safe return. Godspeed

Posted by: StrykerB'SMOM [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 24, 2007 2:37 PM

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