Sharp upswing in casualties taking toll on 1st Brigade soldiers, families

[lebkuchen]

The 1st Brigade Combat Team, of which the Bandits are part, has taken heavy casualties in Sunni-dominated Anbar province.

That fact has dazed many families at Ray Barracks, where the 1st Brigade is headquartered.

“They’re starting to get fed up, and it’s starting to get difficult for them to cope with, I think,” Irwin said.

...

But in June, the Bandits moved to Ramadi — capital of Anbar province and arguably the deadliest city for U.S. troops in Iraq.

“Now they’re in the war,” Irwin said.


http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=39512

[ninkasi]

1. Such a tragic waste of life

These marines were sent to war because of a bunch of corrupt PNACers. Our being in Iraq has nothing to do with democracy, liberating the Iraqis, or any of the many excuses given. It has to do with setting up a permanent base for the U.S. in the Middle East, and controlling the oil. That doesn't detract from the bravery of the men and women who have been killed, they have been doing their jobs. It's the lying bastards who sent them who are at fault. May their families find solace and consolation.