I'm Tired

pojo · Post by **pojo** » February 15, 2008 11:39 pm

"I'm Tired"

BY: Joe Repya, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army, 101st Airborne Division

Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth month of duty in Iraq, I was forced to return to the USA for surgery for an injury I sustained prior to my deployment. With luck, I'll return to Iraq to finish my tour.

I left Baghdad, and a war that has every indication that we are winning, to return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971 after my tour in Vietnam Maybe it's because I'll turn 60 years old in just four months, but I'm tired:

I'm tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican, who lack the courage, fortitude and character to see these difficult tasks through.

I'm tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history when the going gets tough.

I'm tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they 'Support The Troops' by wanting them to 'Cut and Run' before victory is achieved.

I'm tired of a mainstream media that can only focus on car bombs and casualty reports because they are too afraid to leave the safety of their hotels to report on the courage and success our brave men and women re having on the battlefield.

I'm tired that so many Americans think you can rebuild a dictatorship into democracy overnight.

I'm tired that so many ignore the bravery of the Iraqi people to go to the voting booth and freely elect a Constitution and soon a permanent Parliament.

I'm tired of the so called 'Elite Left' that prolongs this war by giving aid and comfort to our enemy, just as they did during the Vietnam War.

I'm tired of antiwar protesters showing up at the funerals of our fallen soldiers, a family whose loved ones gave their life in a just and noble cause, only to be cruelly tormented on the funeral day by cowardly protesters is beyond shameful.

I'm tired that my generation, the Baby Boom -- Vietnam generation, who have such a weak backbone that they can't stomach seeing the difficult tasks through to victory.

I'm tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of captives than they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.

I'm tired that when we find mass graves it is seldom reported by the press, but mistreat a prisoner and it is front-page news.

Mostly, I'm tired that the people of this great nation didn't learn from history that there is no substitute for victory.

blackjack · Post by **blackjack** » February 16, 2008 12:09 am

Amen.

docandjeanie · Post by **docandjeanie** » February 16, 2008 12:12 am

blackjack wrote:Amen.

I'm with you, Joe. Thank you for all that you do.

Bfan53 · Post by **Bfan53** » February 16, 2008 6:17 am

Powerful......

Thought provoking.......

And oh so true.......

This commentary echoes what so many military people have said when returning to the U. S. from the War on Terror (Yes, Virginia, we are at war.)

Maybe we should listen to them for the truth rather than the media.....

alphabits · Post by **alphabits** » February 16, 2008 9:03 am

A bit of historical perspective:
This message was written in 2005. I wonder how Lt. Col. Repya feels about the progress made and the prospects for victory two and and half years later.
I also wonder how we even define "victory" in this war, given that the stated objectives have changed several times over the past 5 years.

flyboy55 · Post by **flyboy55** » February 16, 2008 9:16 am

I think Joe should have stayed home and enjoyed a well-earned retirement the first time around. Going to Iraq obviously didn't 'agree' with him.

Crazy Navy Flyer · Post by **Crazy Navy Flyer** » February 16, 2008 9:25 am

Thanks Shannon.

blackjack · Post by **blackjack** » February 17, 2008 12:20 am

flyboy55 wrote:I think Joe should have stayed home and enjoyed a well-earned retirement the first time around. Going to Iraq obviously didn't 'agree' with him.

Going to Iraq agreed with him fine. It was coming back to hear our "media" with their freedom of speech spew things he knew not to be true.

ragtopW · Post by **ragtopW** » February 17, 2008 12:30 am

blackjack wrote:
flyboy55 wrote:I think Joe should have stayed home and enjoyed a well-earned retirement the first time around. Going to Iraq obviously didn't 'agree' with him.
Going to Iraq agreed with him fine. It was coming back to hear our "media" with their freedom of speech spew things he knew not to be true.

Yep..
i was asked the other Day from a Vet..

" i wonder if you feel the same way after you kill a deer as I feel after killing a person"