Goodbye everyone.

[The Sad Little Pony]

I have been "mobilized" from the Marine IRR, and will be heading to Iraq, after three weeks of training.
I will be training and operating with the Iraqi Intervention Forces.

I knew when I enlisted 19 years ago the nature of my contract, and the committment that it entailed.
When I left Active Duty and entered the reserves I knew what that meant, as well.
When I chose to remain in the IRR, rather than resign, I knew that the possibility existed.

So there it is.

Please don't think of me as a victim. I'm not.

Save any pity you have for my wife and son (and one on the way).
They deserve the Campaign Medals and commendations.

I look forward to the discussions here upon my safe return. In the meantime, enjoy the last painting that I've had time to complete:



"Panorama" 5'x12' mixed media on aluminum

[sabra]

1. Peace be upon you.

You will be in our thoughts and prayers...

[wicket]

2. You and your family will be in my prayers

Stay safe :hug:

[The Witch]

3. Thoughts & prayers with all of you

Take care of yourself. :hug:

[aeolian]

4. Best of luck, Marine.

:toast:

[AllyCat]

5. Go safely Pony

Our thoughts and prayers for your safe return and your family are with you!

[Mandate My Ass]

godspeed, SLP

Sending warmth to you and yours. Stay safe and thank you for your service.

[lonestarnot]

6. Good luck dude, we will pray for you and your family along with Andy.

[Wickerman]

7. Best to you and your family

:thumbsup:

Be safe.

[MADem]

8. Keep your head down, your helmet on, and never skip the armor

...it is going to be hot as hell over there, but wear the shit anyway. Drink way more water than you think you need.

Stay safe. Peace.

[demwing]

9. Come home safe

Duck and cover and come home safe. :toast:

[Heidi]

10. Take good care of _you_ !

Lots of people here care about you.

[sojourner]

11. Hoping for your safe return......

and thinking good thoughts for your family. Does wife blog? Maybe she can get some support here while you're gone. This is a very supportive (if somewhat contentious) community.

[The Sad Little Pony]

23. She doesn't read forums or post....

Being pregnant, with a deploying husband, she doesn't need the stimulation. Some opinions, left and right she finds upsetting.


I.E.: Those who harness the war for their political purposes.


(nor will she have the time)

[sojourner]

61. understandable n/t

[Qanisqineq]

12. Keep your head down

and stay safe. My husband was there 2003-2004.
Good luck to you.

[jojo54]

13. Best wishes for a safe return.

Your family will be in my thoughts also.

[Taxloss]

14. Good luck.

Please stay safe.

[coloradodem2005]

15. Good luck.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

26. Thank you for honoring your commitment.

I feel strongly that too much is being asked of you and your family but I appreciate your standing by your word. Unfortunately you are being lead by a band of people in DC who have never bothered to stand for anything but corporate greed and how to make money off the efforts of others.

Stay safe and come back to DU quickly. If you have access to a computer and the "internets" please check in from time to time to let us know how it is going.

You and your family will be in DUs thoughts and good wishes.

[LaurenG]

16. We will think of you surrounded in light

I am so very sad about this. My husband was in Gulf 1 so I relate. Write us if you can.

[commander bunnypants]

17. stay safe and godspeed

CB

[LynzM]

18. You and your family will be in my thoughts, SLP

Dig the painting :)

Good luck to you, stay safe (as you can), and have your wife let us know how things are going for you, please!

[sojourner]

19. oh, yeah! and thanks for sharing your painting! She BEAUT!

[unhappycamper]

20. Peace.

Wishing you safety and sanity.

[babylonsister]

21. Godspeed to you, and

get back here soon and safe! Please tell your wife she will find friends here to keep her company when she needs it. I'll be looking for you! Keep us posted!

[Demit]

22. So long, and good luck. We'll keep a light on.

[Jack Rabbit]

24. Stay safe

Please. We are looking forward to having those discussions.

[meganmonkey]

25. I set your painting as my desktop background to remind me to pray

for you and your family. Thank you for serving our country. I wish it was for a more a noble cause. Peace!

:patriot:

[Bluerthanblue]

27. i wish...

... you could allow yourself the choice to say NO- but i respect your decision to honor your word, given during a time no one could possibly have predicted the way this world would twist-


your screen name, and your picture pricked my heart with this song i was just listening to- by Ray Lamontagne-

"All The Wild Horses

All the wild horses
All the wild horses
Tethered with tears in their eyes
May no man's touch ever tame
May no man's reigns ever chain you
And may no man's weight ever defrayed your soul
And as for the clouds
Just let them roll
Roll away
Roll away
As for the clouds
Just let them roll
Roll away
Roll away"


may you roll gently- back home to those who love you- soon, safe,and sound.

[WLKjr]

28. Just want you to know

This leftie will never stop fighting for you and your return home.


Be safe my friend.....

[calico1]

29. Please take good care of yourself. n/t

[dhinojosa]

30. 19 yrs ago?!??!?!?!?! WTF?

You know Iraq is not going well, if they are bringing in people who signed up 19 years ago. Well, good luck and may you come back well. I also wish good will to your family whose experience will be extremely difficult for them too.

In the meantime, we will always look upon this picture of green penises. :)

Recommended this thread for all to see.

[The Sad Little Pony]

48. I enlisted in '86.

I've been serving since both active or reserve.

[dhinojosa]

78. That is amazing.....

I am assuming you are anywhere from 37-45 yrs of age now?

[SheepyMcSheepster]

31. best wishes pony!

please stay safe!

[Coexist]

32. best of luck

mail updates on your situation to your wife to post so we can follow you.

[kentuck]

33. A lovely painting....

Vaya con dios...

[CornField]

34. May you only see what you have to see

May you only do what you must do
May you find peace within your own soul
and return, whole, very soon.

(All my best wishes for a quick deployment and safe return. Strength to your family.)

[oddmanout]

35. Thank you

Thank you for your service, be safe. Keep in touch if you can.



:patriot:

[coffeenap]

36. Good luck--do tell your wife if she needs some anonymous support

we will be here for her.

[grace0418]

37. Take care of yourself.

We need more people like you around here.

[MsConduct]

38. Stay safe, Thanks for your service and Great painting! n/t

[Jacobin]

39. Be Careful, take good care of yourself and come home soon!!!

We are all sending you positive vibes!!

[deutsey]

40. GI Rights Hotline, should you or anyone you know needs it

[phone]

http://girights.objector.org/

Best of luck to you and your family. :thumbsup:

[The Sad Little Pony]

I'm seeking no out.

The slot I'm filling was originally held by someone whose family situation deteriorated, and did not allow for his deployment.
So my number came up.

I have too many responsibilties, and young Marines, to bow out.

Were I to do so, someone else would be called up to take my place.

[deutsey]

46. Just offering in case the need arises for you or someone you know.

[lebkuchen]

66. How old are you?

And what is your MOS?

[The Sad Little Pony]

73. 38

and my MOS is 0302.

Infantry Officer.

[Debbi801]

41. Wow. Good luck to you and your family...

Stay safe over there!

Great painting, BTW.

Debbi

[StaggerLee]

42. Take care of yourself

Let your fellow Marines know that we have not forgotten about them. In these mad times please remember that you have friends/allies here at DU.

Let's look forward to when you and your family will be reunited once again.

Best wishes.

sL-

[DemonFighterLives]

43. I'm sad too

that you or anyone has to take part in the evil monsters war games.
Be safe! Come back soon!
Nice painting BTW.

[The Sad Little Pony]

44. Maybe the painitng...

...can serve as a reminder that we're just people.
Not "evil monsters".

Dehumanizing the enemy is something I will not do, neither in war or politics.

[DemonFighterLives]

51. I didn't mean you or the enemy

I mean dubby and the gang who are the creators of War Without End.

It is a stupid war. Be Safe!

[The Sad Little Pony]

74. I know you didn't.

.

[DemonFighterLives]

139. Thanks for your service Pony

I was going to reply yesterday but the thread was locked.
We are open for business again now.
:thumbsup:

[Blue Diadem]

45. Stay safe!

Will be praying for your safe return and for your family.

God Bless!

[JerseygirlCT]

47. Good luck, and stay safe please!

[merh]

49. God speed!

You and yours are in my prayers.

Be safe :hug:


:patriot:

[ariellyn]

50. Wishing for your safe return to your family...keep in touch if you can. nt

[lancdem]

52. I wish you a safe deployment

and pray for you and your family.

[shrike]

53. An artist such as yourself should not be going to war

Then again, no one should ...

Godspeed to you and yours.

[The Sad Little Pony]

70. If anyone should go...

...so should the artists.

The Ivory Tower is no place for an artist to hide.
The event of one's generation is not to be avoided.
See it, do it, protest it, fight it, fight against it.

Just don't look back and realize you spent a life watching TV and commenting on what you saw.

[shrike]

77. It was a comment on your talent

which shouldn't lie fallow while you fight a senseless war.

But as I said in my earlier post, no one should have to go to war.

[progressivebydesign]

85. Pony.. that last sentence was profound..

"Just don't look back and realize you spent a life watching TV and commenting on what you saw." And it's good advice for everyone here. Thank you for your service and your philosophy.

[Raksha]

125. You are a brave man. My prayers go with you.

[Toots]

54. Bring back some ears preferably baby ears

You are willingly going to an illegal war so you are as guilty as the rest of them. Have fun and enjoy the killings.

[Name removed]

Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[The Sad Little Pony]

64. I feel sorry for you.

Such bitterness will poison your soul.

[seabeyond]

72. oh

i love you. second time you brought me to tears. thank you for seeing what it is

[Taxloss]

69. So speaks a comfortable person.

Who has never made a commitment to anything.

[WilliamPitt]

118. Ass

[ulysses]

141. stupid comment.

[katinmn]

55. Be safe and come home soon to make more art!

:hug:

[seabeyond]

56. Please don't think of me as a victim. I'm not.

Save any pity you have for my wife and son

no pity, but...........

take care of you
and yes to the people that will miss you, they will miss you so much. there is a definite sacrifice that we all honor.

thank you for sharing.

[G_j]

57. Peace be with you

and your family.

safe home!

[xchrom]

58. take care of your self!

my good thoughts and prayers go with you.

please come back whole and sound.

[atommom]

59. Take care of yourself! We'll be thinking of you.

[Zorbuddha]

60. You should be able to get on-line over there

so keep us posted.

Good luck. Be safe.

News from your perspective would be a great insight into the war.

Take care.

[powergirl]

62. MAY YOUR RETURN BE SWIFT

God Bless you and if you can email the duers from your post. :patriot:

[GOPBasher]

63. Good luck. Visit us when you safely return.

[Solly Mack]

65. Stay safe!

[im10ashus]

67. Remember to duck.

And come home in one piece. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My nephew was there for over a year and it was hotter than hell. Drink plenty of water. Is there an address where you are? We can send you letters. ;-)

[lse7581011]

68. You Will Be

In my thoughts and prayers! Stay safe!

[ernstbass]

71. Good luck

I'm sending good wishes to you and your family.

[Suziq]

75. My Family and I . . .

are praying for your safe return. Please watch your back and come back home to your family.




:hippie:

[Straight Shooter]

76. Tres' cool painting style

:patriot:

[cally]

79. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers

Stay safe. I know it's extremely hard on you and your family. Let her know that we value her sacrifice as well as your own. :hug:

Your painting is beautiful.

[G_j]

80. Hold On to Your Humanity: An Open Letter to GIs in Iraq by Stan Goff

http://www.thinkingpeace.com/pages/Articles/Archive1/arts085.html

Hold On to Your Humanity: An Open Letter to GIs in Iraq
by Stan Goff

November 17, 2003 | Dear American serviceperson in Iraq,

I am a retired veteran of the army, and my own son is among you, a paratrooper like I was. The changes that are happening to every one of you--some more extreme than others--are changes I know very well. So I'm going to say some things to you straight up in the language to which you are accustomed.

..more..

[5thGenDemocrat]

116. Best wishes and take care of your troops

From this former Army Signal Corpsman (REMF).
John
And thanks for the thinkingpeace link, G. I'm going to read through it.
It is now 23 days, 22 hours and 26 minutes to FUNDAY. Everyone is encouraged to DUmail me for details.

[cry baby]

81. Come back safe...

If your wife gets lonely, tell her to come talk to us.

[AndreaCG]

82. Best of luck

Get home in one piece.

[progressivebydesign]

83. May you be safe, and be back with your family as soon as possible.

Please keep us updated somehow and have your wife let us know if you need anything! Thank you for your service.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

84. I hope your deployment...

is a safe one for you, your fellow Marines, and the Iraqi people.

If you or anyone in your group needs goody boxes from home sent out to you, let us know -- there are many of us here who have been sending out boxes to the troops.


God speed, SLP! :hi:

Hell

[oasis]

86. Nice painting. Stay safe.

[NoPasaran]

87. Best of luck

And come back safe.

[dave29]

88. Be safe

and sound.

[JimmyJazz]

89. Peace.

Keep your head down, love. :hug:

[proud patriot]

90. You are a talented artist

May you come home to us safe and sound :hug: :cry:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

91. I remember when you posted that piece....

I wish you a safe speedy return so you can get back to your family and your art.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

92. Bestest of luck and stay safe! n/t

[rndmprsn]

93. best of luck my man....

please post something here if you are able when you get over there...and please be careful...DU will be rooting for you.

[GreenPartyVoter]

94. Be safe! *hugs and prayers*

[Finn MacCool]

95. Not good-bye, just farewell.

Be safe -- when you get back, post some more of your paintings.

[donsu]

96. you could say no

nt

[The Sad Little Pony]

98. No, I could not.

.

[TBreeze]

97. Best wishes for a safe return

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[BobRossi]

99. Stay safe

Keep you head down and your spirits up!

[shadowknows69]

100. That should be "cya later" not goodbye

So I'll say Cya later Pony. Sooner than later if we have anything to say about it.

[tk2kewl]

101. NEVER should someone committed to this country be sent

to fight a war based on lies.

Thank you for your commitment and I pray that you return safely and one day George Bush is held accountable for his crimes.

[ohio_liberal]

102. Stay Safe

We'll see you back on DU soon. :grouphug:

[Pacifist Patriot]

103. Be safe. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts.

[spuddonna]

104. Beautiful painting... God bless you and your family!

We will be praying for your safe and speedy return home...

[dogday]

105. My Son Is In The Guard And I Believe He Is Soon To Follow

His unit was supposed to be called up a few months ago but they changed their plans, but it is going to happen. I am hoping that all will go well for you and you will come home safe and sound. God Bless You...

[Ripley]

106. Stay safe and come home well sad little pony.

So sorry you have to go into this mess. Best of luck...

[NNN0LHI]

107. Try not to lose sight that the Iraqis did not sign up for any of this shit

I hope you don't kill or maim any of them. Toodle loo.

Don

[The Sad Little Pony]

114. The Iraqis are with whom...

...I'll be fighting.
Side by side.

Many are entering their second two year enlistment. So THESE Iraqis did indeed sign up for it.
From reports I'm reading, MOST (not all) of the "enemy" that this particular group has faced, has been from outside Iraq.
This coming from a very good friend who is there (no spin).

But then, all could change at any moment.

[alcibiades_mystery]

145. Now you're just spouting propaganda

There is no sector in Iraq where that is true. None. But this is of course coming from an "unimpeachable" friend, who you cannot source and nobody can challenge. Riiiiiight....

In fact, most of your responses here look like propaganda lines. Curious, that...

[Balbus]

148. Are you calling out this soldier as a liar?

Don't hide your cryptic thoughts behind three little dots "..." What have you heard from your friends over there on the front line?

[alcibiades_mystery]

149. Not yet

I don't have the evidence to call out this Marine (never call a Marine a soldier) as a liar. If I did have evidence, it would be fully documented, and not presented as something I heard from a "friend," though...

Mr. Murphy may be completely on the level. My only comment is that almost all of Mr. Murphy's responses on this thread are little bits of ideological drivel.

Needless to say, I wish Mr. Murphy well if he indeed is going to Iraq, regardless of the ideology he embraces.

[Balbus]

152. I apologize for jumping to conclusions.

I misunderstood and thank you for your response for clarification.

[AzDar]

108. My best to you and yours...and may the Fool who put all of our brave

troops in harm's way needlessly soon have to answer for his crimes.
Be safe!

[lucca]

109. I wish you peace.

And, I wish for you, a safe return to your family.
Please take care.

[deadparrot]

110. Best wishes to you and your family.

May you have a safe and quick return.

[Rainscents]

111. Thanks for sharing your painting with us... It's very beautiful!

I want nothing but safe return for you, God Bless and keep up your spirit. You'll be in my prayer.

[faithnotgreed]

112. prayers that we will see you and all soldiers home asap

take good care and look forward to seeing you back here

[BiggJawn]

113. Be Safe!

See you when you get back.

[itcfish1]

115. Not Good-Bye!

Just, as we say in Spanish, ¡Hasta Luego! Stay safe, stay healthy and come home to your family soon. You will be in my prayers.

[FreedomAngel82]

117. Stay safe!

Easier said then done I know over in that hell hole from damn Bush. :hug:

[0007]

119. I strongly object to you going to Iraq, I feel that you should be in

discordance with junior and his crime cabal.

I do hope you come home safe and sound and your family intact.

[frictionlessO]

120. May you and your troops never have to fire a shot in anger.

May you survive all physical threats.
May your conscience be held together with rememberance of those brightest emotions of home.
May your time away be as short as possible.


Very nice technique and style on you art, may you take up the brush instead of the gun as soon as time permits.

[demgurl]

121. What a beautiful picture.

Stay safe and please let us know how we can get in touch to send you letters and perhaps some much needed items.

[BamaBecky]

122. You might be able to find a computer over there.....take good care of

yourself......keep you head down low......don't do anything without thinking long and hard about it........I really do feel sorry for you and your family....:hi:

[Penndems]

123. God bless you, young man - stay safe

As the sister of a Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant (he retired last October after 21 years): Please come home to your wife, children, family and those of us here at DU very soon. Know that you're being prayed for. May God keep you in the palm of his hand, and thank you for your service to this wonderful country.

Semper Fidelis.

[maveric]

124. Keep yourself safe, my friend!

[meti57b]

126. Wishing you the best of everything! May you soon return home!

[Mad_Dem_X]

127. God bless you, and good luck

:patriot:

[spooked]

128. DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO GO?

Couldn't you be a Conscientious Objector?

It's just a shame to have the father of a child and one on the way sent off to Iraq...I wish you well, but is there any way out?

[SoCalDem]

129. Found some of your other art on a UCC site.. Are you faculty?

http://www.ucc.edu/tim_murphy.htm

[The Sad Little Pony]

131. Nope. (I wish)

It was a show curated by the woman who runs their Gallery.

[DinahMoeHum]

130. Keep your ass down and stay safe. . .

and drink as much water as you can.

Let us know where we can write/e-mail you.

And when you get back (think positive!), let us know. We'll put you in touch with other war vets.

Just remember, you always have friends here.


:hug:

[Piperay]

132. Sending positive thoughts

for your safe return. :hug:

[hopein08]

133. Best of luck...

my thoughts and prayers are with you.

But in this squalid quarrel, what gives the heroes of the Iliad their grandeur? Is it not their indomitable will to fight, despite the shifting and capricious meddling of the gods? To venture their lives for honor, in an unfair and unfathomable situation where bad and stupid men triumph, good and skilled men fall, and strange accidents divert and decide battles? In a purposeless, unfair, absurd battle, to fight on, fight to the death, fight like men? It is the oldest of human problems, the problem of senseless evil, dramatized on the field of battle.

~~~Herman Wouk in War and Remembrance

Thank you.

[Book Lover]

134. Watch your face, Marine

I understand that's the major armor flaw today (from a doc in DC) (you probably know that, though, better'n me). Stay safe and Semper Fi.

[MsTryska]

135. Good Luck and GodSpeed Marine!

love the green penises!

[Name removed]

136. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Moderator]

137. kick

[Lannes]

138. Best wishes for you and your family

[SalmonChantedEvening]

140. Stay safe and know you and your family are in my prayers

:patriot:

[ulysses]

142. fair winds and following seas.

Come back safe!

[seabeyond]

143. so glad to have you back this beautiful friday morning

sat with your art. music playing. kids last day of school. waving and good to see this post open

[Catchawave]

144. "Fair Winds and Following Seas"

From a "0302" veteran's wife. :patriot: Semper Fi !

[warrens]

146. Come back soon and healthy

And thanks for your service. All the best to your family and congratulations on the new one.

[graywarrior]

147. Take us with you.

We'll be right behind you. Let us know if we can help in any way, like stay in contact with your family.

[Pepperbelly]

150. stay low and keep your ass down if need be. nt

[Hobo]

151. Semper fi Marine

and remember to check your six.


Hobo

:beer: :toast: :thumbsup:

[madinmaryland]

153. Best wishes on your tour of duty.

and have a safe return.

Thank you for your service to this country!!

[enigmatic]

154. Stay safe, my friend

Good luck:)