Four Years Ago, I Was Leaving Iraq

It was mid-July four years ago that the men and women of the Gunner Battalion packed up our gear in Kuwait to redeploy to our families. We just finished a nearly 15 month combat tour that took us from patrolling the garbage strewn streets of Baghdad to torn up neighborhoods of Najaf. Our soldiers witnessed a transition from eating dinner in the homes of the Iraqi people in the summer of 2003 to battling every day farmers who joined Muqtada Al Sadr's uprising during the spring of 2004.

Our soldiers represented a beacon of hope to many Iraqi people as they were excited that we were bringing them the American dream. Unfortunately, Washington's failure to provide us the proper planning, equipment, or even strategy was evident when we were unable to provide even the basic services or support that any human would expect and deserves. As our relationship with the Iraqi people began to unravel, so did the war.

Here we are four years later, over 4100 soldiers killed, countless Iraqi casualties, extremism is on the rise, and America's international standing falling fast. Our soldiers continue to do everything we have asked them to do while Washington failed to provide the political, economic, and diplomatic strategies necessary to support their brave efforts. They have courageously dealt with "mission accomplished," staying the course, the Iraq Study Group (which was thrown out after the 2006 election), and the Surge while returning for multiple tours without the proper recovery or equipment. The American military continues to do everything we have asked them to do, and more.

Washington, on the other hand, continues to be paralyzed by a lack of leadership that refuses to ask the right questions, refuses to hold accountability for those war profiteers who put our troops at risk to line their pockets, or act to bring our troops home safely, securely and soon. Here we are four years later and the Iraqi Prime Minister and National Security advisor have called for a withdrawal timeline so to ensure we are not building permanent bases while we spend $5,000 per second to "reconstruct" their nation, but suffer from $4.30 at the pump at home.

Americans are hurting, Iraqis are hurting, and the world is hungry for our nation to return leadership by example to Washington. It is time to strategically redeploy our brave men and women who have sacrificed so much. We must remain engaged in the region and find ways to address the crisis of Iraqi refugees in places like Syria or Jordan so they do not become radicalized and a destabilizing force. It is time for leaders in Washington who will work to understand the problems and not just spew the tired talking points of their parties.

Here we are four years later and America remains at war, our economy is breaking, and working families are struggling with rising food and gas prices. This election will be about bringing a responsible end to this war, implementing a policy to secure our energy independence, and reinvesting in America by putting our working families back to work. This is election represents a once in a generation opportunity to get our country back on track, and I believe that together we have the power to change Washington.

Comments

[ManWithLantern]

I served and was asigned to MACV for a period of time - completed tour with USAREUR/SETAF.
When I was dscharged after 3 years (Yes, I was RA) and came back to the states along with a few of my buddies, none of us experienced anything bad from people (young or old) on our journey across America. Nor did ANY of our friends who returned earlier and late. We all knew there were more than a few jerks in uniform and unfortunately some in our units. All avoided them like the plague while on active duty and never kept in touch with them afterwards.
We got home, said hello, took off our Class A's got into our civvies and went about our lives.
None of us felt deprived that there were no parades. Are you kidding? We were not part of some huge return, just millions dribbling back home over 10 years.
Today? Well, the yellow-ribbon crowd which in the majority never served, is screaming for "heroes of the day". This demeans the honor of those who were heroes (meaning actually did something heroic), not merely serving. This new thing about thanking each and every vet "for their service" is a pain to us. We just did what we joined to do and for what we got paid to do and we understand this "don't mean nothing".

[DCinFrance]

When I was younger--which was a long time ago--I was in a near empty bar in the middle of the north woods of Wisconsin. There was a guy sitting not far from me, and we started shootin' the shite and having a beer. For some reason, Vietnam came up, and that he had served (I was too young to have served in Vietnam). I said, tell me something. Most everyone I know who was in 'Nam doesn't talk about it. He said, we don't talk about it because it was awful, and when we got home, we were treated like criminals. I put out my hand, which he took, and I looked him in the eye and said Thank you. He started to weep in huge, uncontrollable sobs. Through his tears, he said, "ya know, no one has never ever thanked me before".

That moment changed everything I ever thought I knew about war and the men and woman who prosecute it in the name of the countries that they serve. I know not your rank or insignia, Mr. Powers, but let me say that no matter my feelings this war, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I want to say more; I want to say how much I agree with your analysis. However, I think I will leave this as just a simple thank you.

[liberalghost]

"...That moment changed everything I ever thought I knew about war and the men and woman who prosecute it in the name of the countries that they serve. ..."

So, in your opinion, Germans should be thanking the surviving members of the WWII Wehrmacht for their service?

[DCinFrance]

I thought maybe that might generate this type of question. Bad people do bad things, and war is for them a convenience to their ends. Yet, there were those that served their country with distinction and honor--and yes, even those amongst the Wehrmacht--despite the fact that their leaders were outright war criminals. As there were in Vietnam, as there are in Iraq. Make no mistake; what we have done under false pretenses, in Vietnam and Iraq, is nothing short of criminal. That does not go to the heart of many of those that served, again with honor. Some look at their service as nothing more than a mercenary that got paid for killing people and expect no gratitude and find that gratitude a pain...quite rightfully so given that. This was not this man, and this is not of whom I speak--those that do are by far in the minority that have served their country under those pretenses. The human condition is what it is.

[karela]

Great post! Thanks for all you've done for us. The media sometimes tries to make us that the military is all gung ho for war and McCain. It is nice to hear another side.

[CalGoldenBear]

CPT Powers:

To you and the rest of the men and women of "Old Ironsides" who served so well and sacrificed so much, "Thank you for your service and welcome home."

Whenever I see a serving soldier with a combat patch on his or her ACUs, I welcome them as well because all too many Americans, even those who support the war or claim to "support our soldiers," don't do that.

Again, welcome home.