From the same batch of emails:
Horace Hill of San Antonio, Texas
This is an issue only because CNN chooses to make it an issue for a political purpose. Check with veterans from past combat situations and you will find that a large majority of us were extended. Many, like myself, for the duration of the war or as long as you were needed to protect the peace, and some for a designated time period. You understand that this can happen the day you enter the military. My time in Korea was due to end August 1952 and my discharge date was September 1953. I was extended and came home March 1956 and was discharged in April 1956. Did we like it? No, we didn't, but we understood why it was necessary. I know this is a well-worn cliché, but many do not understand that "Freedom is not free." Never has been, never will be. Someone will always have to pay a price when others choose not to.
Um, Horace Hill of San Antonio, Texas? Freedom isn't free? Well, it turns out that fascism is a helluva lot more expensive.
Wayne Yost of Macon, Georgia
Hey, it is an all-volunteer military. They are doing what they want to do. I am happy for them to be able to extend their tour! I wish I could do what I wanted to do.
Boy, I want an employee like Wayne Yost of Macon, Georgia. Apparently, once he voluntarily comes to work for me, I can make him do whatever the fuck I want for as long as I want. Until he dies.
Robert Vincent of Green Cove Springs, Florida
Yes, this will have an effect on my friends overseas. But the way Congress is treating the solders and Marines is remarkable. They need funding and it is stupid to think that winning a war like this one only would take five or six years. We must be there to provide stability throughout this region of the world. I know the fighting has been there for more than 1,000 years, but we are the ones who have the means to put an end to this conflict. If the United States turns its back on these people, that leaves no choice but to allow the criminals of al Qaeda to run this country.
Yes, Robert Vincent of Green Cove Springs, Florida, it
will have an effect on your "friends" overseas. Like traumatic brain injury. Or triple amputation. Those are lovely "effects" which you'll never have to experience sitting on your ass sending bullshit pro-war emails from your parents' basement in Green Cove Springs, Florida.
You'd better sign up now and help, or -- God forbid -- we'll have no choice but to let "the criminals" run our country. I wonder what that would be like.