how has the war in iraq affected you, your family, and/or anybody else you know?
441324
I served four tours in Iraq...as a United States Special Forces Commander...and it has affected my life...my family...I came back with a moderate - severe Traumatic Brain Injury...and ever since...I have not spoken a word in about four months...I can't tell my daughter that I love her...Or that I'm proud of her. I lost my best friend over there...and not able to do anything. I know families...and wives and children who have lost their father and husband and brother to this war. But we all fought together as one...into something that we believed in. And something...that is our duty to protect and serve this nation. I know that I am proud of my guys...and every single guy over there and every single woman and man who is training up to go over there. It's not as easy as it looks...and at times... Its' not as bad as you see it from the news...but sometimes its not that great either. I know I've learned personally...to never take anything for granted ... because you never know when it will end. I know that I am forever grateful that God gave me a second chance...and its not easy...to get second chances in life. God bless.
356182
god bless you. my hubby is also in iraq. i would suggest reading, spending alot of time with your friends over there, and exercising in the gyms there. try also to talk to your chaplian when you are stressed out. good luck to you.
359309
I had friends in college who were part of the Iraqi Royal Family.  All of the family members I met were wonderful people.  \n\nIt is the zealots and those like Hussein who have ruined the image of the Iraqi people for most of the world.
194479
NO. I have friends and family who are in Iraq in the military and my father in law just got back from Iraq as a civilian bomb dog handler. Each of them has told me how saddened and sickened they are by the media portrayal of only negative things from the war. Each of them has told me about how they can see positive changes in Iraq and how much better the living conditions are over there now and how they have started schools and brought order back in many places. I don't think that is a waste of time. It is hard for us who have people we love over there and I am sure we would like to see them all come home safely and not have to be at war -- but the efforts made my our troops in Iraq are not a waste of time.
916881
You know my husband died in Iraq august 04 and even though to this day it is so very hard to get through the holidays without him i do it for everyone else because to me the holidays are the happiest times of the whole year. Its hard but to think the whole timeabout the oes you lost or how stressful it is makes it all that much worse. But then again everyone is different i guess
636438
Ask Bush & Cheney \nhow many loved ones\n(family) they've lost \nto their war...
760135
I feel like everyone else, it is senseless keeping our boys out there.  My brother was in Iraq for a while and not a day went by that the whole family did not feel sick with worry about him.  He's heading off to Afghanistan soon and that will be just as bad.\n\nOn the other hand, we started this war along with Dubya and it is unfair to the Iraqi people if we just storm in, turn their lives and country upside down, then abandon them when they need our help to get back on their feet.  \n\nThe question is - do they want our help?  The media would have you believe that they do not and if this is indeed the case then we should pull everyone out of there and let them carry on.
1095221
Your question should really be addressed to your father.  He's a good man.\n\nI've been there.  We should be there.\n\nAsk any honest Iraqi.  (I did) They'll tell you how they lived in fear for their live from their government, their police, and their border countries.  Something you probably have never had to endure, so probably can't appreciate the weight of the fear or the dispair in their lives.  They're now realizing that they have a shot.\n\nWhile the war does serve American political interests, that's of secondary importance to me.  I'll fight any day of the week to stop the hell that the Iraqi's were going through.
641467
buddy i am a vet, two tours in iraq. and i want to thank you for saying such a good american thing and having the courage to post it here. i finished my military sevice couple of weeks ago and people like you are the reason we can keep going. even though our wives leave us, we lose most of our money, never get to see our kids born and miss thier birthdays. it helps to know there are still people left that have a love for this nation we serve. its hard to put up with the things we do and most every morning we'd rather stay in bed. thanks for makeing getting up every morning worth something good. my name is sgt curtis wellman, 6 years usmc 3 years us army
496720
I'm wondering if my brother is okay in Iraq. He got hit with shrapnul a few days ago. He had surgery and they say he will be fine, but I'm still worried. Who knows, something worse could happen.
98246
i cried for my aunt recently.\nher husband past away last year and she is going through a very rough time in her life-she is a second mom to me and it causes me great pain to see her hurting.
844447
my middle son has been in the forces since he was 17 (almost 20 now), the first year he could not come home for Christmas and it was the first time ever that i did not have all my kids with me to celebrate, but last year he came home without telling me, everyone else knew but me, i missed him so much, and often cried myself to sleep because i could not bare him being away, so on the 22nd DEC 2005 all of my family was at my house, (acting a little bit suspicious) because it was not often i had them all in the one place at the same time, my middle son walked in looking like a grown man in his uniform, i almost passed out with shock, it was a wonderful surprise and i cried my eyes out for hours, it was the best surprise i ever had....pity he could not stay to see 2006 with us, but he had a duty, he had to go back, this year he will be away but i am now used to him not being here, although i do miss him loads, i just wish he could be here though, it would make Christmas a happier time for me and his brothers, but we know that he'll be having a good time where he is, and i know he's safe but that memory will be with me forever...I'll never forget it
643039
His family was part of the Iraqi military.\n\n\n\n\nGod bless
517453
It was a day to remember the sacrifices that ALL of our military personnel.. I give thanks to each of them, no matter what war. They are a hero in my eyes. I want to say.. Good job, Well done.. I`m proud of you.  YOU ROCK... I thank you and yours. I wish all God` s best blessings for you and yours. Thank you seems like such a small thing but It is really and truthfully felt hugely.. Please KNOW that you did NOT go in vain.. We love each and everyone of you.. \n\n{:-)\n\n<><
612125
My family- my son, husband, mom and dad, sisters and brothers etc...\n\nand unfortunately I tend to put my friends and fellow soldiers before myself a lot of times as well.\n\nI have a deep vacancy in my heart for people who need help so I really care about the homeless, the mentally disabled, the young parents, the car accident victims and family's, the starving in all the other countries around the world, anyone that is sad in general. Anyone that needs a helping hand or someone to talk to.... my husband is constantly yelling at me for it too because I tend to go over board with helping people....
46716
That is certainly a decision that you and your family need to do some serious thinking about.  My husband, and I were also in the military, so I know how hard it can be when you are deployed.\n\nDo you know what you will do when you get out?\nWill you have to serve another tour over in Iraq?  How long will it be?\nWould you like to make a career out of the military?\nThere is a lot more information that I would need to know, and how you feel about them, before I feel like I could give any amount of decent advice on it.\n\nThank you for your service to our country!
467677
My husband is currently in Iraq on his 2nd tour..He calls when he can I understand he's busy over there..you just have to have faith and be positive..I find myself angry at him when he says he'll call but then does'nt I tell myself "when he calls again he's gonna get it" LOL but when he finally does I'm just so thankful he called and is ok therefor i totally forget about him not calling and I'm not upset with him anymore.Your cousins are fine,I'll be praying for them and for their safe return as I do for all of the service members deployed across the globe especially the ones in Iraq and Afghanistan.Try to stay busy being around family members help...and try not to be glued to the news stations as I find myself doing more then I should...lol..the motto is "No news is good news"\n                                     101st Airborne Division\n                                        Fort Campbell,KY\n                                           "RAKKASANS"