BlogHer - Interview With a Soldier - Comments

Thank you Dana, I really

Dana J. Tuszke — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 14:35:22 -0600

Thank you Dana, I really appreciate that, on behalf of my brother and family as well.

Thank the man

Dana Loesch — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 16:40:26 -0600

Regardless of where he served, please tell him "thanks" for me.

Dana
Mamalogues.com
In the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Pop Mama
Since Eve

Those who have served have my undying respect

media girl — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 20:44:32 -0600

I don't doubt that they don't spend their time questioning the Bush Administration. They're there to do a job, and to bitch about it is really an unprofessional attitude. (The dissent of generals and colonels to the Bush policy makes much more sense, in terms of our cultural traditions.) It's not brainwashing or blindness, imho. It's duty. Maybe that comes from the farming past in my family. You don't gripe about the weather, because it won't do any good. You just cope, and hope for the best.

To be honest, though, I don't think many Americans question the integrity of our soldiers and Marines -- especially the critics of the war. The issue is not that soldiers exist, but rather it's with the policy and personalities that made this war of choice happen in the first place. I'm old enough to remember a bit of the Vietnam war, when the soldiers themselves were villified. I didn't "get it" then, and I don't see it now, thank goodness.

Iraq is broken, and there doesn't seem to be any way to fix it without some sort of major catastrophe. The more I learn about what's going on in and around Iraq, the more I am convinced that Bush made what could turn out to be the biggest foreign policy blunder in the history of the United States. Our troops are placed in an impossible position. I could never blame them.

I don't kid myself in believing the Democrats have the answer, even though Bush has been a disaster. This is a war Bush started but will not finish, and it's our soldiers and Marines who, among all Americans, pay the dearest price.

Thank you for sharing this "interview."

--
media girl

Shelley and Denise, I

Dana J. Tuszke — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 17:14:31 -0600

Shelley and Denise,

I appreciate your comments. I really do.

Shelley, are you saying that because my brother wasn't stationed in Baghdad, his job was less important? That he wasn't in danger? Are you saying that his support of the men and women in Iraq wasn't needed?

No offense, but your brother was in Kuwait. I don't think he has any better idea of how things are in Iraq then we do.

This is my favorite part of your comment. No offense, you say. That is exactly what you intended, was to bring offense. I'm proud of my brother, even if you are not.

Denise, I understand your point of view because you were a Navy Brat as you say. But does that make you an expert on your interpretation of my brother's beliefs?

I'm not saying Dana's brother is one of those people, I somehow doubt that he will sing a different tune on this in 10 or 20 years. I'm sure he believes all of the things he said or at least thinks he believes it. In the military, it's often difficult to tell the difference - until it is too late. Which is really a shame.

Nathan didn't believe in the war in the beginning. He admits that. But after a few months he started to understand his job and realized the good things that the military is providing to Iraqi's. We can all speculate about what goes on there, until we actually serve and witness it, it's a different thing. I can sense the lack of support for these troops and that is the real shame.

Thank you Melanie. I pray

Dana J. Tuszke — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 17:03:59 -0600

Thank you Melanie. I pray for all the troops. I'm so worried that my brother will have to go back, but I can only pray he'll be safe if he does!

Valid points

Denise — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 17:35:03 -0600

No offense, but your brother was in Kuwait. I don't think he has any better idea of how things are in Iraq then we do.

This seems to happen quite often, in my experience. Anyone in uniform speaks and they become some "expert", regardless on where or how they actually served.

You will never get average Americans to continue to support this fiasco. It's a loss cause, and should never have happened. This whole thing was the result of stupid paranoia and overwhelming arrogance. To think it will magically get better just continues the same belief.

You'll find a lot of service men and women who understand this point Shelly made. Unfortunately, again in my experience, those who do understand this point tend to sit quietly by supporting their president unconditionally, because that is what they're trained to do. To do otherwise is to risk your career and your well-being, emotional and physical.

It's always interesting to me to listen to the older active duty or newly retired military folks talk about these "fiascos". During the big events, they were all "we support our president!" but after time has passed and their military status has changed, they sing a totally different tune.

I'm not saying Dana's brother is one of those people, I somehow doubt that he will sing a different tune on this in 10 or 20 years. I'm sure he believes all of the things he said or at least thinks he believes it. In the military, it's often difficult to tell the difference - until it is too late. Which is really a shame.

~Denise (Navy brat for my whole childhood, ADAF wife for more than 20 years - currently CIVILLIAN, errr with a military ID card, for life.)

Fast Times @ Homeschool High

Your brother was in Kuwait

shelleyp — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 15:42:59 -0600

No offense, but your brother was in Kuwait. I don't think he has any better idea of how things are in Iraq then we do.

The invasion was undermanned because Rumsfield and Bush overestimated the welcome Americans would receive and underestimated the resistance. They were warned by the military, by people experienced with the middle east, and the CIA about the resistance they could expect. They ignored it.

The people who put soldiers in Iraq have never fought in a war. By that I include Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfield--who served in the military, but not in combat.

You will never get average Americans to continue to support this fiasco. It's a loss cause, and should never have happened. This whole thing was the result of stupid paranoia and overwhelming arrogance. To think it will magically get better just continues the same belief.

Other than that, glad your brother made it safely home. I'm glad when any military person makes it safely home. Close to 3000 have not, and for no reason.

As it is, the Iraqi are faced with years of potential civil war. They'll never be safe.

wow... great interview

Mistress Of The Dorkness — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:12:39 -0600

I really enjoyed reading this. It's great to hear things from someone who's been there. Many of my childhood friends are over their now on first, second or third deployments. I pray for their safe return.

Melanie Perry
*not all who wander are lost*
Mistress of the Dorkness

Interview With a Soldier

Dana J. Tuszke — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 09:20:58 -0600

Three weeks ago, my brother Nathan returned home from Kuwait after 15 months of service for the military. To see this young man formerly known as "my little brother" arrive home; it really opened my eyes.

Nathan grew up. He's mature. He has his own views on politics and the military that are separate from my views and those of our parents.

I asked my brother what he thought of the state of our government. I asked him how he learned about the happenings in the USA while he was so far away. I asked him what kinds of tasks he performed in that hot desert. I asked what he thought of the Rumsfeld resignation and the military remarks of John Kerry. I had a list of questions ready and
waiting, like an interview. Listening to him speak was beautiful. It still brings a tear to my eyes.

My brother explained he was responsible for searching vehicles for weapons, drugs, fraudulent identification papers, and illegal passports in Kuwait. It was imperative that no "shady" persons be admitted into secure places that they have no authority to enter. It was his job to make sure the base was secure, that all soldiers were safe and to provide assistance to those soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also searched Humvees to make sure they were safe and secure.

My brother participated in QRM's or Quick Response Missions. He told me these are like "fire drills for the military." These mock missions were practice in the event a base was bombed or attacked.

When I asked how he felt about former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, my brother said, "I had always heard rumors of his leadership, how horrible it was. My generals often would tell us the man is doing his job poorly. But no one ever complained about it. We just did our jobs. All of us. We do what we are told to do. I have respect for any man or woman who serves or leads this country. It's not an easy job. It's not easy at all."

Nathan went on to explain how each soldier may have their own opinion about Iraq, about government and about leadership, but they are all fighting for the common good. They are fighting for our country as well as for Iraq, and for Americans to believe everything they read or hear from the media, shows their own fear and ignorance about this war.

"War is not easy. You don't win over night. You can't just say it's a piece of cake and hope things work out. There are men and women from America, from Poland, from England, who are there. Fighting for the same cause. We are helping the Iraqi's to receive freedom. Freedom to have their own government, freedom for Iraqi women and children to receive an education. The list is large. If you can't even see past your own noses, and see the good that we are bringing, than you have no right to demand withdrawal from Iraq."

Nathan believes that withdrawal from Iraq at this early stage would undermine everything he and others worked so hard for. All the time away from family and friends. All the sacrifices they have made would be worthless.

"You can't spend 15 months away from home, working hard to fight a war, only to hear that America wants you out. It's one thing if the Iraqi people wanted the military removed from their country, quite another for your own country.

"We see the news, sometimes days late, but we see American politicians demanding our withdrawal. It angers me. Would any of those people do what I do? Let's switch places. Would they go to Kuwait? Afghanistan? Iraq? They'll see the horror, sure, but they'll also see progress."

His comment reminds me of weight loss. You don't lose the fat overnight. You have to work at it.

Nathan felt that the military could have done things differently, however. Instead of the game of cat and mouse they played trying to get into Baghdad, they should have pushed through with more force. He felt American disapproval may have prevented the military from really accomplishing this task early on.

"Yes, the military needs new strategy. We of all people understand this, but we need American support even more."

I asked my brother about John Kerry and his face turned sour.

"His remark about men and women who fail in school ending up there, is B.S. I've got a degree in computer engineering and he's calling me stupid? Claiming that I wasn't smart enough to do anything else? And then he has the nerve to pretend his remark was aimed at our President? It's infuriating. President Bush is my commander in chief. It is my job to follow his commands. If John Kerry were president, I'd be just as loyal to him as I am to President Bush. But Kerry isn't president and I think we all know there's a reason why, after his dimwitted comment.

"My only wish is that America will finally support us and not talk against us. Arriving home to find out the Democrats are in power, worries me somewhat. I don't know much about Nancy Pelosi, but I can only pray that she and the rest of the Dems will think of the soldiers in terms of the good work we do over there and not demand we redeploy. It will undermine everything we've worked for. Not just me, but the men and women who are in Iraq. They have to work much harder. They need our support."

My brother spoke with such emotion. I could see how much he believes in the good and not the evil. He believes in our country, our government, our freedoms. I could see how happy he was to be home. When asked if he was going to re-sign for another term he replied, "I don't know. My heart tells me it's the right thing to do. I just want to be home for awhile. I want to be with my family and my friends, the people we're fighting for. I know it's the right thing to do, but it's so very hard to decide. If it came down to it, if I was needed, I'd go back."

It reminds me of that television show on ABC, Brothers & Sisters, the character Justin was called for a second term in Iraq, but didn't want to go back to the war. He overdosed on drugs and his sister (played by Callista Flochart), a Republican in a family of Democrats, tried to get a pardon from a senator but Justin made the right decision to go back. However, characters on TV aren't real people and they aren't really going off to fight a war or serve their country. My brother did. I respect him so very much for the courage he had to complete his mission.

He's taught me that it's so easy to defend a war until you actually have to fight in a war. He defends the war in Iraq, but admits it took him a long time to believe it.

"In the beginning, I wasn't scared. I wasn't afraid. Then I missed my family. Then the doubt set in. Then I wondered what would happen. How would I survive? Finally I realized, if I don't believe in myself, my battery, my leaders, what good am I? It's a test of your beliefs. It really is."

Contributing Editor Dana J. Tuszke also blogs at The Dana Files and Watch Blog.