WHO'S COUNTING

      Do you realize we lost four people today and eight people yesterday in Iraq? We've lost twenty one this month, not to mention the people we've lost in Afghanistan but who counting? Do you know we've lost more female soldiers in Iraq than we did in Vietnam but who's counting? The other day we buried female who graduated from West Point but who's counting? How many thousands of our soldiers have been wounded, lost arms, legs and sight but who's counting? I can tell you who's counting, our soldiers are counting and praying they don't become one of the dreaded numbers.

     .Can you imagine being in Iraq and counting the days till it's your time to go home only to be told you tour has been extended? How about being told your going back   for you 2nd or 3rd tour in Iraq after making it out safe from your last tour. How about getting your discharge and after your back in your civilian life being told your being called up from the ready reserve to do another tour in Iraq.

       What are we doing to our military? These are people who volunteered to serve and protect our country. No one deserves to be sent into combat for two or three tours. I am a Vietnam vet, who didn't see much action but I did a one year tour, and believe me a year is a long time when your away from your family and friends, being in a combat zone makes it even longer. It must seem like an eternity if it's your 2nd or 3rd tour. I can imagine what it does phycologically to our soldiers.

      There's one question that no one can answer now. What damage have we done to our military of the future, after Iraq and George Bush. Who in their right mind will join the military? What will happen when enlistments are up? Will we need to bring back the draft? Don't be surprised. I wouldn't want to be of draft age when this mess is over.

      

         

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