For those who don't know it looks like I am spending Christmas in Iraq. I will miss my first wedding anniversary, and all six kids birthdays, my wife's birthday, Valentines and Easter.

 

 

This may not be how it is where I am going – but you get the sentiment ………

 

You stay up for 16 hours

He stays up for days on end.

 

You take a warm shower to help you wake up.

He goes days or weeks without running water.

 

You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.

He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.

 

You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.

He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.

 

You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.

He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

 

You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you.

He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

 

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.

He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

 

You complain about how hot it is.

He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.

 

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.

He doesn't get to eat today.

 

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.

He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.

 

You go to the mall and get your hair redone.

He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.

 

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.

He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.

 

You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.

He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

 

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.

He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.

 

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.

He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.

 

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.

He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.

 

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.

He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.

 

You see only what the media wants you to see.

He sees the broken bodies lying around him.

 

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.

He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.

 

You stay at home and watch TV.

He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.

 

You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.

He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.

 

 

 

If you support your troops, then forward this on.

If you don't support your troops well, then don't forward this. You

won't die in 7 days, your love life won't be affected, and you won't

have the worst day ever. You don't have to forward this. It's not like

you know the men and women that are dying to preserve your rights.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading this far.

Stay safe, I'm proud of you and thank you for your commitment to our country and keeping current and future generations safe.

 

 

Lesley

Yeah dude, stay safe, stay sane and thank you for keeping Australia safe

When do you leave and how long are you going for, I'd be way to scared to do anything like that, Good luck.

My Father is also a Soldier, I'm Very proud to be an Aussie & Very proud of the men and women that you work with. :D

If you didn't do the Great, and Dangerous, job you've chosen We wouldn't be enjoying life Today the way we do. :)

Have a Safe trip Mate. Be Proud knowing that we DO appreciate the job you do :)

Edited August 29, 200719 yr by PHATKE20S

Thanks Guys ...... I guess generally we think more of our soldiers, sailors and airmen than the Yanks do. And for that I am grateful.

 

 

 

Phat ..... who's your old man with ? Its not a huge Army , but I certainly don't know everybody, but sometimes its seems a very very small world.

My Father is also a Soldier, I'm Very proud to be an Aussie & Very proud of the men and women that you work with. :D

If you didn't do the Great, and Dangerous, job you've chosen We wouldn't be enjoying life Today the way we do. :)

Have a Safe trip Mate. Be Proud knowing that we DO appreciate the job you do :)

Damn mate, didn't know you're an AJ :)

 

 

But really, best of luck and don't get dead or we'll f@$king kill you :D

For those who don't know it looks like I am spending Christmas in Iraq. I will miss my first wedding anniversary, and all six kids birthdays, my wife's birthday, Valentines and Easter.

 

That's gotta be tough. I may not agree with all the reasons for our troops being in Iraq, but I believe that you are all doing a good job and I have nothing but admiration and respect for the job you all do. Good luck and come back safe.

Its not a huge Army , but I certainly don't know everybody, but sometimes its seems a very very small world.

 

My uncle's in the Army too, been in and out for the last 15-20 years or so. He's a Major, can't remember which unit but it's highly unlikely he'd be in Iraq, as he's a Thai translator and therefore spends much of his deployment at embassies in SE Asia

 

He was in the Telstra ad years ago about East Timor, he was behind and to the side of Cosgrove

jebus scotty! take care of yourself.

Goodluck and thankyou.

Not all Yanks........

Stay safe over there.

"Hoot": Y'know what I think? Don't really matter what I think. Once that first bullet goes past your head, politics and all that shit just goes right out the window.

 

That's a quote by Eric Bana's character in Black Hawk Down, and it is apt. While politically I believe the reason you are over there is completely unnecessary on a broader context, I fully believe in and support our troops and you. A man who has served is a better man that any who hasn't.

 

Good luck out there.

Hey!

 

You're back! Glad to see you're all in one piece and well.

 

Will you be home for long?

 

Lesley :lolcry:

Hey!

 

You're back! Glad to see you're all in one piece and well.

 

Will you be home for long?

 

Lesley :y:

 

They have the internet in Iraq too ;) Ruts wont be back for a little while yet.