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Thanks for the comments!
Alex Horton // Army of Dude // Vet Voice
by ThisDudesArmy on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 11:54:26 AM PDT
your service. I'm so glad you came back. I mourn with you, the loss of your friends and your innocence.
by DMiller on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:03:34 PM PDT
[ Parent ]
Thanks. You've done well.
by klw1963 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:14:04 PM PDT
"I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually." James Baldwin
by zdefender on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 03:12:17 PM PDT
over the next few months. Don't ever doubt that we really do want to hear about it, or that we care about how you're doing.
Thanks, and Good Luck, to you and all your friends.
Barack Obama -- The President we were promised as kids!
by Jimdotz on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:08:41 PM PDT
It's not just your interesting post, and future postings. We really want you to come and talk to us when you need someone to listen, rant, or just toss some snark. If it weren't for this place I'd have been crazy(er) by now. Thanks!
Edwards Democrat voting for Obama would like to remind you, "Concentration Moon, over the camp in the valley" Frank Zappa knew.
by high uintas on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:23:39 PM PDT
for some time. Glad to see you here.
Fight for Peace.
by operculum on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:11:12 PM PDT
Glad you're still coming back!
by ThisDudesArmy on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:14:08 PM PDT
I didn't thank you for your service.
May you live a long and peaceful life.
"People should not be afraid of their government; governments should be afraid of their people." --V
by MikeTheLiberal on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 01:42:15 PM PDT
Dunno, you're looking like good material for public service.
However that shakes down, peace to you.
Thanks
by slowheels on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 02:33:28 PM PDT
Just was I was thinking. We need someone to run against Pete Sessions (TX-32).
In TX-32, track the voting record of Pete Sessions at SessionsWatch.
by CoolOnion on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 03:35:22 PM PDT
service is a liability in Chimpworld.
by Champurrado on Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 08:33:40 AM PDT
... may we leave Chimpworld behind?
Sooner is better than later!
by MikeTheLiberal on Wed Dec 05, 2007 at 10:45:24 AM PDT
the mighty Determinator and His holy cabal left.
by Champurrado on Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 03:55:22 AM PDT
Is that a 2nd ID patch you're wearing? My husband and I were in the 2nd ID back in 84-85...in Korea, freezing our asses off.
by Sharon Jumper on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 03:35:12 PM PDT
HUA
Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities.
- Albert Einstein
by Walt starr on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:18:24 PM PDT
of the closeness that builds among soldiers.
There's something incongruous yet makes such perfect sense: in a time of the most intense hatred and violence, you love your brothers/sisters and want to be there to help them.
When you wrote:
I saw and did things I'm proud of, and other things I would only tell the guys I was with.
it struck me that those of us who weren't there should hear the stories (not necessarily yours). Most of us have no clue about what soldiers endure. I have some insights because my work involves people revealing things to me. I do know how much agony many soldiers carry throughout their lives, however.
Thank you for being home. Thank you for serving. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being you. I'm proud to have you represent our country.
"You can count on Americans to do the right thing after they've tried everything else." -- Winston Churchill
by bleeding heart on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:25:04 PM PDT
all the brave Americans who have given so much to serve this country. There is nothing political about our support for all of our vets. Please continue telling your story on dailykos!
Confucius say: Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.
by bluecayuga on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 01:08:31 PM PDT
Please continue.
Psst! Don't panic
by Quicklund on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:25:49 PM PDT
Thank you for honoring the men who can no longer speak for themselves.
"I decided to force-feed him, but he wouldn't eat... I hated myself for making him eat, but I hated him more for not eating."
by Shaviv on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:26:33 PM PDT
Help Hillary make history today! :-)
by atdnext on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:33:45 PM PDT
since August. You have a real gift with the pen (or keyboard), and have really helped me understand what it would be like to walk in the boots of our soldiers today.
Glad you're signed up at Kos, too.
John Kerry: "The rubber stamp Republicans have now become the Roadblock Republicans"
by beachmom on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:43:49 PM PDT
As a place for you, your buddies and any military (active or vet) that need or want a place to vent and decompress?
Support the Troops; Buy Mojo Friday Apparel
by TexDem on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:44:46 PM PDT
But if you want to vent and tell stories in the comment section, come on over!
by ThisDudesArmy on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:46:38 PM PDT
but I'm not a veteran. My relationship consisted of three months in the Delayed Entry Program back in '76. My (Navy) recruiter promised that with my college credits and my chosen MOS that I would have made E-6 six months after A-School. I never got the chance to prove him a liar. (MOS, Admin)
by TexDem on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 01:02:29 PM PDT
Best wishes to you and thanks for your service.
I hope to read more of your writings.
The Dream Ticket can win the General Election
by Pink Lady on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 05:00:45 PM PDT
You are a very talented writer. I hope you keep honing your skill on your blog. You have an important voice.
Turn the Mountain West blue! Support Gary Trauner for Wyoming's only House seat!
by kainah on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 05:19:33 PM PDT
not just for serving, although that is great cause for this old vet's gratitude to you, but for making those who read here see what the war looks like, and how it feels to come home.
Please do keep your blog up; and if you want to run for Congress from Texas, you'll have help for the asking!
I'm another Edwards Democrat
by BlackSheep1 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:39:38 PM PDT
Glad You Are Here
Intellectual and Emotional Journeys post Service are important
Take care of yourself and your friends
Live your life right for the ones that are not back or who have physical or emotional challenges larger than your own.
We support you, your friends and fellow service members
We hope the next era of civilian leadership can provide that support too
On Being A John Edwards Democrat
by Redstateresident on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:47:47 PM PDT
for your service.
Because I won't trade humanity for patriotism!
by Drewid on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:50:13 PM PDT
Keep writing.
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
by mmcole on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:53:47 PM PDT
I'm often asked if I would ever do it again with the hindsight if I have now. I would, only for the people I've met.
There is something to be said for this type of dedication. I see the same thing in my friend who came back after the 2004 Faluja(sp?) battle. When he first told me that he wanted to go back to help the soldiers, he's a Navy Doctor, I was totally taken aback. But as I thought about it it became clear to me that he valued those soldiers lives as much if not more than his own.
Thank you for this post. Thank you for serving. But most of all thank you for showing all of us what real honor is.
by Mike S on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 12:58:55 PM PDT
can you imagine the kind of desertion/AWOL rates you would see in any war? That bond is the only thing that has ever come close to making war make sense for me. But then I'm a crazy pacifist, what do I know?
by kainah on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 05:22:18 PM PDT
both you personally and, by proxy, those of your friends. Most especially those that didn't get to write this wonderful diary.
A person's character is measured by how they treat everyone. Not just your pet group.
by Tempus Figits on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 01:02:42 PM PDT
I go into the IRR in a few months. You'll miss the guys you're with but you're better for the experience:).
I'm running for office! Click here to support me!
by djtyg on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 01:12:01 PM PDT
Here's to hoping you make it to IRR. My son was lucky - they were phasing out his MOS (Bradley Linebacker/Air Defense Artilleryman) and he was smart enough to not get retrained into a new MOS, so he's safely in IRR and going to school.
I was in IRR from 87 to 89, after serving 4 years of active duty and barely missed getting recalled for Desert Storm. There were several members of my 1L class in law school that got activated and sent to SA and Kuwait.
by Sharon Jumper on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 03:39:07 PM PDT
You have earned the right to look many a bumber sticker gooper 'troop supporter' in the eye and ask, " where were you? ". Glad you are back.
it tastes like burning...
by eastvan on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 01:30:22 PM PDT
T&R
by MikeTheLiberal on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 01:38:38 PM PDT
And the guy looking like he's deep in contemplation while he studies porn is hilarious.
John McCain: Healthcare for kids? Not in the Bush-McCain America.
by bosdcla14 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 01:43:16 PM PDT
The people you meet and work with are the best part ( after all, a 0300 sentry duty in Ft Lewis in the rain is not a whole lot of fun!). Stay in touch with your friends. Last night I had an overseas buddy who's been out for a few years over for a few beers---always a good time, even if I feel like crap the next day! One thing I have noticed from most who have served is a little bit of them stays in. Even if they are glad they moved on. I have met very few, if any, who have regretted their service. And I think it really does come down to those they met.
by eastvan on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 01:44:43 PM PDT
Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish. - Euripides
by Wanda517 on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 02:15:45 PM PDT
Thank you for your service.
I'm 64 and also a veteran. You'll remember your fellow soldiers for the rest of your life.
"...the basest of all things is to be afraid." William Faulkner
by flem snopes on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 02:29:17 PM PDT
My son also served three years, doing tours in Baghdad and Kandahar. Although he hated Iraq and I hated him being there, neither of us have any regrets about his service (I had to sign for him to join at age 17). He came home safely and is away at college now, kicking the ass of every chickenhawk college republican in his classes!
Hooah and best wishes to you in your transition to civilian life.
by Sharon Jumper on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 03:32:59 PM PDT
I'd like to introduce you to another great writer & soldier, Aly Renwick, who served in the British army, but became disillusioned with his service after being sent to Northern Ireland.
His book, Oliver's Army, is available for free online, but I'm trying to find a publisher for him so we can read his work offline!
Thank you for your service, and welcome home.
by CoolOnion on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 03:33:22 PM PDT
he saw his friends die, he still misses them to this day, and the nightmares and screaming at night still go on.Bless you ThisDudesArmy for this diary.
*a hundred years from now, the future may be different because I was important in the life of a child*
by bonesy on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 05:13:57 PM PDT
It was incredible and moving.
And welcome back home.
If you can't stand the heat, don't play with matches.
by DawnG on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 06:24:33 PM PDT
thank you for sharing this part of your life with us. thank you for serving our country. May your holiday season be even sweeter now that you are home!
Politics is like driving...if you want to go backwards, choose R. If you want to move forward, choose D.
by fireflynw on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:12:40 PM PDT
And thanks for going.
Here's to lost friends and long memories.
To think is easy. To act is difficult. To act as one thinks is the most difficult of all -Goethe
by commonscribe on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 07:55:58 PM PDT
Thanks so much. Welcome back home. So sorry to hear about your loss. We really appreciate your moving account + am so glad you are safe. Hope you have a warm holiday + a great new year.
Go Barack Obama
by concerned on Tue Dec 04, 2007 at 08:15:04 PM PDT
wide narrow
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