Please Keep Them in Your Thoughts...

I finally get online this morning and the first article I see breaks my heart.

U.S. extends Iraq tour for 3,500 soldiers

As part of the plan, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld on Thursday extended the tours of some 3,500 members of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. The unit, which has been serving in northern Iraq, was scheduled to be leaving now, but instead, most of its 3,900 troops will serve for up to four more months. It was unclear whether the unit would go to Baghdad.

[....]

While about 3,500 members of the Stryker brigade were still in Iraq Thursday, about 200 had returned to Alaska and some 200 others were in Kuwait awaiting transportation home.

The Army said officials will determine on a case-by-case basis whether any of those in Alaska or Kuwait need to return to Iraq. It is likely the majority of those in Alaska will be able to stay there, but those who are determined to be essential personnel may have to return to the battlefront.

I just CANNOT imagine the heartbreak...you wait your L O N G freaking year and then they extend them four more months. I understand that the needs of the Army come first, but it sure doesn't lessen the pain any of these families will be feeling. The soldiers will be down in the dumps and the families will be in tears...you live for a day for a full year and then to have that day not come for four more months, it can be a hard pill to swallow. Knowing they might miss two Christmas seasons in a row...two birthdays, two anniversaries...damn hard no matter how "hooah" these families are.

Personally I'm not "hooah." We do not call home or me "household 6." I had no clue what the hell that meant until husband explained it to me a couple of years ago. All I know is I love my husband and respect how hard his job is and how hard he works to care for everyone he's responsible for. I'm not in the Army though. We like to live far from the military base and just be a regular, every day family when he's home. We have our flag out front...but other than the DoD stickers on our cars and my Army sticker on the back of the Explorer, you'd not know otherwise.

So, my point is (and yep, there is one, I promise), I'm not "hooah" and husband being extended four months would break my heart after he'd already done his year. If he got home and then had to turn around and go back...gosh it would DESTROY our children. My defense mechanism is anger, so I'd be pretty sore at ol' Rummy. There's no reason to extend folks who have done their year...they should have moved people forward two months ago when Baghdad was heating up. They should always have a plan so they aren't destroying morale and breaking families hearts with long extensions...four months is a HELL of a long time when they are in combat.

If you get a chance, please send some prayers out for these soldiers and their families. If you don't believe in prayer, that's ok...send some positive thoughts their way. They are gonna need it.

posted by Shannon at 9:11 AM   |    |  

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