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 Greetings! You are reading an article from The Mudville Gazette. To reach the front page, with all the latest news and views, click the logo above or "main" below. Thanks for stopping by! March 28, 2004 Morale Call IIBy GreyhawkIs American troop morale in Iraq low? Not surprisingly the answer is a qualified yes. (Or was, a few months ago. Things are likely on the upswing with Iraqi Freedom II.) Meanwhile, Iraqi's have hope for the future, thanks to the efforts of those troops. I received this e-mail earlier this week, before the Pentagon released the results of the study on troop morale in Iraq: What is all this negative stuff of this campaign doing to our soldiers? As a "once a Marine, always Marine" widow..... I often think of these young kids, serving in some hard times, and hearing words of "betrayal" "illegal war" "miserable failure" all lobbed at mine and your Commander in Chief. I have great respect for what he has done and is doing, I will put that up front. I'll bounce this to the comments section. Do relentless assaults on the cause they're sacrificing for have a negative impact on American soldiers' morale? I'm reminded of President Bush's Thanksgiving visit, the joy expressed by the troops at his being there, and the subsequent and still endless attacks from the media, American Democrats, and the world-wide left on the event. Not to mention the U.S.S. Lincoln event where the Commander-in-Chief announced the end of major combat operations in Iraq. Among other things, both events were troop morale-boosting occasions; personal visits by a commander to the people that liberated a nation and now keep the promise of a better tomorrow alive for the people of that nation. But from the moment they occurred they've been attacked by a group that in times past was called "the loyal opposition". Now that "loyal opposition" has given frightening indications of how far they may go in taking sides against their own country in the war on terror. Back to Sherry's e-mail. And the previous entry here. Suppose you could "speak to the troops" suffering low morale in Iraq. What would you say? I offer you the comment section in this post as a place for patriotic statements of support for the troops. Though I usually allow both sides of any issue to be presented in comments here I'll delete any negative posts, attacks on the President, etc. from this one. (If you see such a comment, please don't respond as it will be gone soon.) And if enough of you care enough to leave a few words I'll get them to the attention of the folks who'll benefit the most from them. Your turn. Posted by Greyhawk / March 28, 2004 2:34 AM | Permalink 4 TrackBacksGreyhawk of the Mudville Gazette and Milblogs has three good 'uns. Two regarding the recently hyped survey of military morale in Iraq (not as bad as reported, not as good as we'd like - which in the situation we find... Read More Greyhawk of the Mudville Gazette has some excellent posts about troop morale in Iraq. From my own experiences, I can tell you that Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines all bitch about their leaders. They bitch about living in sand storms. Read More Greyhawk has posted a letter from a Marine widow asking how the vitriol of the political campaign affects American soldiers. In particular, she's concerned about comments regarding illegal wars and miserable failures. Greyhawk is hosting a discussion o... Read More I charged home from work at 2130 tonight and soaked up as much beer, Chex mix, and South Park as was possible in 30 minutes. And then I got hit with Greyhawk's guilthammer. My dad's worked in air conditioning for... Read More 10 Comments |
November 26, 2010America@war [Greyhawk]
I think anyone who's ever pondered the "comment" option - once only available on blogs and bulletin boards, now ubiquitous on almost any web site - will appreciate this:
The so-called faculty of writing is not so much a faculty of writing as it is a faculty of thinking. When a man says, "I have an idea but I can't express it"; that man hasn't an idea but merely a vague feeling. If a man has a feeling of that kind, and will sit down for a half an hour and persistently try to put into writing what he feels, the probabilities are at least 90 percent that he will either be able to record it, or else realize that he has no idea at all. In either case, he will do himself a benefit. That's wisdom from the past, captured for posterity at the US Naval Institute, shared via the web on the institute's 137th anniversary. From their about page:
"The Naval Institute has three core activities," among them, History and Preservation: The Naval Institute also has recently introduced Americans at War, a living history of Americans at war in their own words and from their own experiences. These 90-second vignettes convey powerful stories of inspiration, pride, and patriotism. Take a look at the collection, and you'll see it's not limited to accounts from those who served on ships at sea, members of the other branches are well-represented. I'm fortunate to have met USNI's Mary Ripley, she's responsible for the institute's oral history program (and she's the daughter of the late John Ripley, whose story is told here). She also deserves much credit for their blog. ("We're not the Navy nor any government agency. Blog and comment freely.") We met at a milblog conference - Mary knew (and I would come to realize) that milbloggers are the 21st-century version of exactly what the US Naval Institute is all about. Once that light bulb came on in my head, I mentioned a vague idea for a project to her - milblogs as the 21st century oral history that they are. "Put that in writing," she said (of course - see first paragraph above!) - and here's part of the result. Shortly after the first tent was pitched by the American military in Iraq a wire was connected to a computer therein, and the internet was available to a generation of Americans at war - many of whom had grown up online. From that point on, at any given moment, somewhere in Iraq a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine was at a keyboard sharing the events of his or her day with the folks back home. While most would simply fire off an email, others took advantage of the (then) relatively new online blogging platforms to post their thoughts and experiences for the entire world to see. The milblog was born - and from that moment to this stories detailing everything from the most mundane aspects of camp life to intense combat action (often described within hours of the event) have been available on the web... And et cetera - but since you're reading this on a milblog, you probably knew that. And you know that milblogs aren't just blogs written by troops at war, that many friends, family members, and supporters likewise documented their story of America at war online in near-real time, as those stories developed. The diversity in membership of that group is broad, the one thing we all have in common is the impulse to make sense of the seemingly senseless, and communicate the tale - for each of us that impulse was strong enough to overcome whatever barriers prevent the vast majority of people from doing the same. Everyone at some point has some vague idea they believe should be shared - we were the people who, from some combination of internal and external urging, found and spent those many half hours persistently trying to write it down. But where will all that be in another 137 years? Or five or ten, for that matter. That's something I've asked myself since at least 2004 - when I wrote this:
Membership in the ghost battalion has grown in the years since, and an ever growing majority of those abandoned-but-still-standing sites are vanishing. Have you checked out Lt Smash's site lately? How about Sgt Hook's? If you're a long-time milblog reader you know the first widely-read milblog from Operation Iraq Freedom and the first widely-read milblog from Afghanistan are both gone from the web. If you're a relative newcomer to this world you may never even have heard of them - or the dozens upon dozens of others who carried forth the standard they set down. If you have a vague notion that something should be done about that, (a notion I've heard expressed more than once...) then you and I and the good folks at the US Naval Institute are in agreement. Preserving the history documented by the milbloggers is just one of the goals of the milblog project, the once-vague idea that we're now making real. And it's a big idea, if I say so myself - too big to explain in one simple blog post, so stand by for more. Likewise, it's too big a task to be accomplished by just one person. So if you're a milblogger (and exactly what is a milblogger? is a topic for much further discussion on its own) I'm asking for your help. All I'll really need is just a little bit (maybe just one or two of those half hours...) of your time, and your willingness to tell the tale. We've already made history, it's time to save it. (More to follow...) Posted 4:02 PM | Permalink |
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The Mudville Gazette is the on-line voice of an American warrior and his wife who stands by him. They prefer to see peaceful change render force of arms unnecessary. Until that day they stand fast with those who struggle for freedom, strike for reason, and pray for a better tomorrow.
 
 
 Furthermore, I will occasionally use satire or parody herein. The bottom line: it's my house. I like having visitors to my house. I hope you are entertained. I fight for your right to free speech, and am thrilled when you exercise said rights here. Comments and e-mails are welcome, but all such communication is to be assumed to be 1)the original work of any who initiate said communication and 2)the property of the Mudville Gazette, with free use granted thereto for publication in electronic or written form. If you do NOT wish to have your message posted, write "CONFIDENTIAL" in the subject line of your email. Original content copyright © 2003 - 2011 by Greyhawk. Fair, not-for-profit use of said material by others is encouraged, as long as acknowledgement and credit is given, to include the url of the original source post. Other arrangements can be made as needed. Contact: greyhawk at mudvillegazette dot com  Tending Distant Far from hearth and home, watching What tales we'll tell When things grim Some distant sunset, vision fading Saluting fallen friends whose names - Greyhawk, Baghdad, December 2004 |
I am a 20 year Air Force Master Sergeant. I don't have many fancy words except that you guys in Iraq are doing one hellavu job. Although I am insulated from the harsh realities of the tour that your on and the condiions you face day in and day out, I stand by 100% ready to defend your honor. You are my brothers in arms.
Please don't let the likes of the leftists and other freaks get you down. Don't listen to Euro-weanies of the likes of De Villepin (yes he is a man I think).
A full 64% of Americans still think we were correct in invading Iraq despite what liberal media has tried to influence against. Thats some pretty good support. 95% fully think you guys are real heroes. I know I do. You guys are fighting the war on terror. And you guys are simply kicking ass.
Your efforts will enable a more secure Middle East which is vital to the safety of the world. Your sacrifices will be remembered, nay I think revered in years to come!
Keep taking it to them. Fight hard, be alert and keep in your hearts that Americans respect the hell out of what your doing.
And some day the Iraqis will too....
MSgt Dan
Former Navy - 10 years active, E6. Got out in '76.
You guys are awesome. I support you. I hate the left and all the "spin" they stand for. I will be voting for the incumbent commander in chief because he is a leader and he has a backbone and he is not interested in what is "popular" but in what is "right." The "hopeful" candidate does not have my support, nor my respect, because he has no backbone and he stabbed his comrades in the back after he got out. You guys, though, are courageous and I respect you for who you are and what you do. I have never had to go through what you are going through, nor have I had to deal with the stuff you are dealing with. You have my support and my prayers and my encouragement. God bless you all!!
Former spook ASA guy, whose service was mostly atop mountains on the Korean DMZ, putting ears where ears were NOT wanted...
And ever since that time, I've stood to do what I can in support of the others who hold the line between decency and civilian-killers, the line between responsible freedom and state-rapist human-shredders.
Since 9/11, I've found myself on OUR side of the rift, moved to tears at the attacks borne by Bush and Rice and Rumsfeld and others, all seeking to do their best to support you in your good efforts to free Iraqis. I have, almost daily since Jan 2003, argued in person or online FOR our nation's efforts, AGAINST Kerry and his ilk, and IN SUPPORT of you...
The venom this time seems unprecedented, and the media bringing us news seems unprecedentedly BIASED against America... So read the Blogs, know that quiet America loves, respects and supports you, and nearly ALL the HonDis vets think you're doing one superb job, day after day! :)
If 'Work done in the spirit of service is worship', then you guys and gals are some of the most worshipful people on this round Earth...
You earn our respect, and the grudging respect of the rest of humankind, by your courage, your restraint, your humility and your unflagging zeal and sense of humour.
America is beset by ill-wishers, nay-sayers, idiotarian bloviators who puke on themselves (figuratively AND literally) in their efforts to besmirch America. And it will get worse, before it gets better.
You are not alone, Yanks, even though all who support you cannot voice their support in a timely way. Your multi-lateral efforts demonstrate in deed and in word, America's high ideals, its honorable intentions and its unflagging zeal in pursuit of life, liberty and personal responsible freedom.
We, who would be free, are blessed in having you as liberators!
You guys are doing an amazing job in a very tough part of the world. My co-workers, family and friends talk about what you are doing and the sacrifices that you are making every day. We will never take you for granted and continue to put our money where our mouth is by adopting soldiers, sending toys and school supplies to Iraqi children, sponsoring a/c units and bicycles for the troops. Believe me, we know that it's not nearly enough.
I don't get my news from CNN, BBC, ABC(Australian or American), the Canadian Broadcasting Corp, the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The LA Times or any other muckraking excuse for a media outlet. They are only interested in one thing, "regime change in Washington D.C" and they will tell any lie they can in order to achieve their goal.
Every day I am thankful that our President and our troops are keeping us safe. We are in a fight for our lives and our way of life and I am so grateful that our leaders see this. Thank God the Left is not in charge. God bless you men and women of the Coalition and keep you safe. Thankyou for what you are doing and don't pay attention to the morons in the press.
As an ex-Special Air Service guy, I just want to thank all of you and remind you that the freedom you fight for and represent is for all of us.
What you're doing epitomises everything America stands for---and I can think of no higher compliment than that.
Bless you all.
To Americans and others in harms way:
Soldier on, we will keep the faith. The silent majority will speak when the time comes, the world will never forget what you've done.
It's an election year, and the venom flying off the forked tounges of some of the politicians and the press that supports them may be disheartening. But history will prove your courage and sacrifice instrumental to bringing about important change in the most dangerous part of the globe. Most Americans honor you and your mission and we pray for your safe return. God Bless You!
I'm an Airforce mom. My oldest son is a S.Sgt. who is currently stationed in the States. He could be sent off at any time leaving his wife and baby son at home without him, so,I know the kinds of sacrifices you are all making to bring democracy to the people of Iraq and keep us safe here at home.
I hear a lot about how many Americans are against the war, I have yet to meet one. The local college held an anti-war rally this week-end and 8 people came. (I think 3 of them were relatives of the organizers :)
What I do hear is a lot of concern for the safety of all of you, pride in job you have been doing and hope for the future of the Iraqi people.
You each have my heartfelt thanks and are in my prayers constantly. Because of your sacrifice and dedication, my other children can sleep safer in their beds and mothers and fathers in Iraq will no longer be forced to watch their children suffer and die because of those maniacs who were running their country.
Maybe we won't find those WMD's but Saddam and Sons are gone, democracy is on the way, and it looks like we might get to the bottom of where all the Food for Oil money went. And the last is probably more of a burning question than WMD's to the starving six-year-olds of Iraq and their parents. So, take this from Mom, I am so proud of each and every one of you! God Bless!
May I offer, in addition to my heartfelt gratitude for keeping my world safe, a wee bit of verse that I wrote during Gulf War I? I think it still applies.
*********************
TO OUR TROOPS IN THE GULF -- A SALUTE
Storming the desert
on wings borne of flame,
riding jet-trails for freedom,
not for personal fame.
Supported by many,
but followed by few,
we've a word for our soldiers:
Our hearts are with you!
Yellow ribbons adorning
our trees and our cars,
Many windows displaying
flags and blue stars
give a strong indication
of pride in our troops,
so don't be dismayed
by a few hostile groups.
Know that you're loved,
and missed by us all,
that we appreciate your quickness
to answer the call
of your country,
despite your passion for peace,
and we'll welcome you home,
when hostilities cease.
Your families are waiting
to be held in your arms,
and your bravery helps keep
all our children from harm.
We send you our love,
and our prayers,
and this poem,
as a way to say "THANK YOU",
and please --
"HURRY HOME."