In ONE WEEK (give or take), my brother will be in Iraq AGAIN!

[MLFerrell]

For those of you who didn't see any of my previous posts on the topic, my brother is being deployed to Iraq for the second time. His first tour began during the initial stage of the war. He's a combat engineer, and was quite literally on the front lines building pontoon bridges across the Tigris or the Euphrates (I forget which is which) at the beginning of the invasion, in order to secure a route for the then-coalition forces to get into Baghdad. He was in Iraq for 14 months altogether, and saw some of the most horrific things imaginable. I know, because he brought back a whole CD full of pictures. Some of them were magnificent, such as the images of Babylon, and some were utterly disgusting, such as people who had been flattened by tanks, dismembered limbs, and charred corpses.

So he's going back. By choice this time (he just re-upped in January). His rationale is, to paraphrase, "I've been there and seen terrible things that haunt me. If I go back, some 18 year old kid won't have to."

An honorable sentiment to be sure, stupid as all hell, but honorable.

So, this past weekend, I came back to my hometown for the first time since Christmas to visit with him. We went to the bar one night, ate dinner with Mom one night, saw Dad's family together one night, all of which were nice things. In response to my question, "What the hell do they need a combat engineer in Iraq for NOW???", he told me all about what he's doing this time around: finding and detonating IEDs on the road from Fallujah to Ramadi. I'm pretty sure that that ranks as one of the most dangerous tasks in that war-torn hellhole, in the most dangerous part of Iraq, but what are you going to do?

So yesterday, he left. He flew from Pittsburgh to Wisconsin, where he'll spend a few days. From Wisconsin, he goes to Kuwait for a few days, and from there, to Iraq. He left behind a kind, beautiful, altogether wonderful fiancee, a great job, and a large family that loves him.

He doesn't believe in Bush.

He doesn't buy into the bullshit of "fighting them over there, blah, blah, blah."

He knows that the war is an utter fucking scam, that he's fighting for oil and Bush's ego, yet he volunteered essentially to help save American lives.

So, I saw my brother for the first time in a long time this past weekend. And God help me, I can't shake the feeling that I saw him for the LAST time. I humbly ask the religious among you for thoughts and prayers. My God doesn't work that way, but if yours does, by all means, put in a good word.

For the next year (or longer), every time I hear of an unnamed American casualty, my heart will sink in a way that those of you who don't have loved ones in Iraq or Afghanistan will never know.

My brother will be in Iraq as I'm starting another year of Ph.D. work here in West Virginia, safe and sound. It's not right.

Oh cruel fate, why dost thou mock me so?

:shrug:

Thanks in advance DU. Getting this off my chest is at least mildly palliative...

[pinto]

1. I hope he stays safe and you two have a happy reunion.

My thoughts are with you both.

[MLFerrell]

3. Thank you, Pinto.

I appreciate that very much.

[annabanana]

2. Your brother

represents all that is best in America. That he would spare another's son or daughter the experience he's suffered through makes him a hero. How utterly evil that people like B*sh Inc. would use him to enrich themselves. How unutterably sad that we have been unable to stop them.

May he come home safe to you and your family.
:hug:

[MLFerrell]

4. Thank you, annabanana.

"That he would spare another's son or daughter the experience he's suffered through makes him a hero."

I feel the same way, but that's small comfort knowing that his honorable actions may very well cost him his life.

Just the same, thank you again.

[givemebackmycountry]

5. MLF - Your Brother is a hero in my book -

And I don't really believe in the word Hero.
I hope, I really, really, do hope that you and your brother will have many dinners together.
I hope, I really, really, do hope that he stays safe and healthy, and comes home that way.
I don't have a God (that I know of) but I'm not ashamed to ask someone else's God to keep an eye on him.

Hang in there, and know that WE ARE ALL pulling for your brother and for you.

:hi: :hi: :hi: :pals: :pals: :pals: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[MLFerrell]

7. "I'm not ashamed to ask someone else's God to keep an eye on him."

Nor am I.

Thank you very much, givemebackmycountry. I hope that we'll have many more years together in the future, but unlike my feeling the first time he deployed, this time I'm much more gravely concerned.

[lazer47]

6. He is to be commended, and he is our prayers

You will have these thoughts of helplessness until he comes home, but it will make you better for it, you cannot control it, you can only deal with it,and accept it, he has a job to do and it sounds like he is proud to do it, on a more personal note, if your "God" doesn't work that way (your statement not mine) and you think that possibly mine can, maybe this would be a good time to re-evaluate your own preferences,, NOTICE, I didn't mention which "God" was mine.

[MLFerrell]

8. Thank you, lazer47.

And let me clarify what I meant with my remark on theology: My God doesn't intervene in the affairs of humans, so for me, prayer is a waste of time. Now please know that I'm most certainly NOT knocking any other belief system, I'm just trying to more fully explain what I meant.

[Justyce]

9. One of my cousins went back a few weeks ago

for his 2nd round, driving an ammo truck... and my neighbor will be going back soon for his 2nd round. I've lost one cousin over there. I worry about all of them, and there seems to be no end in sight for our soldiers.

[MLFerrell]

20. I sincerely hope that your cousin comes home safe and sound.

And my deepest condolences on the loss of your other cousin.

When will this insanity end?

:(

[williesgirl]

10. Long time ago my brother was in the AF during Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba

and the blockade. I know what you're going thru a little since our whole family was terrified during the ordeal. But, that one was short-lived (thank God). I'm asking my wonderful late husband, Mom & Dad who I know are in heaven to watch out for your brother. I'm not religious when it comes to organized religion (but born and raised Catholic), but I do believe in God and heaven.

Work hard on your PHD and make your brother as proud of you as we and we all are of him. Be gentle on yourself during these trying times.

recommended

[MasonJar]

11. Dear MLF, could you please forward this letter to your reps in Congress

and to Pelosi and Reid? It is important for us to continuously put a human face on our soldiers, so they (esp the dems, but also the pugs) cannot escape the need to end this debacle.

[MLFerrell]

19. Forwarding this to Congresscritters is a GOOD idea.

I'll print this out and send it ink and paper tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Marrah_G]

12. I'm sorry MLF

It's not easy, it never gets any easier. Send him lots of letters about nothing and packages with goofy things to make him smile. Mine comes home in November. The days click by slowly until then. Just try not to think about it too much or you will go mad. Try to stay positive and be supportive of your brother's fiancee and of your mother. As scared as you are, they are probably having an even harder time.

You can always PM me if you want to vent or talk.

:hug:

[MLFerrell]

26. Thank you for the good advice, Marrah_G.

"You can always PM me if you want to vent or talk."

As I mentioned further down the thread, I very well may take you up on that offer.

:)

[Sonicmedusa]

13. Your brother is a remarkable man, ML.

You are very blessed to have him. I am not the praying type, so I will simply wish him a safe return.

[MLFerrell]

21. He is a remarkable man.

When my parents got divorced, he took over my mother's mortgage payment when he was all of 18 years old. I could tell you many, many more things that he has said and done that show a remarkably mature depth of character.

He was a wreck when he got back from Iraq the first time, it took him years to get his life back on track. I'd hate to see him go through that again, but I'd just be happy to have him back one way or the other.

[Dragonbreathp9d]

14. Thants weird, I know someone in Iraq with a brother named Ferrell

but theyre from texas, he gets back for a week long leave the 21st, 2 days before I go back to college, gotta see him before I do

[Scriptor Ignotus]

15. you should be proud

you should be very proud. hope he comes back safe, sound and soon.

[Recursion]

16. Fair winds & following seas to him

While it may not seem much comfort, some of the absolute best men and women in the world have his back

[MLFerrell]

31. "some of the absolute best men and women in the world have his back"

Don't I know it. There are some extraordinary women and men in the United States Armed Forces.

My brother is certainly one of them.

[uppityperson]

17. Best wishes to him, may he have a very boring tour.

[MLFerrell]

22. "...may he have a very boring tour."

I like that. Thanks for putting a smile on my face!

[Neecy]

18. Thank you for this post

It's a good reminder that most of our soldiers there are good and decent people in a terrible, Bush-made situation.

Your family will be in my thoughts.

Now, let's keep up the pressure so your brother and the rest of our soldiers can come home alive.

[Breeze54]

23. My heart and good vibes and support go out to your brother and you!

"For the next year (or longer), every time I hear of an unnamed American casualty, my heart will
sink in a way that those of you who don't have loved ones in Iraq or Afghanistan will never know."
- MLFerrell

You aren't alone here at DU with those thoughts or feelings.
There are a few if us here that know it well. :hug:
Anytime you need to talk about it, PM me, if you want.

I wish your brother a safe journey. Your brother is a brave man.
You should be very proud of him and from your post, I know you are.
I hope his time there will pass uneventful and quickly, for him and you.

:hug:

[MLFerrell]

25. "...PM me, if you want."

Thank you for the offer. I very well may take you up on it.

[Booster]

24. God damn it. God damn George Bush for his fragile little ego.

If he were even half the man your brother is, he would end this madness. Your brother sounds like a remarkable man and we need more people like him here in our own country. Could you please let us know how to send packages to him when he gets to his assignment cause I and many others here want to show him how much he is appreciated. I am not religious at all, but I will pray for your brother and my nephew who will more than likely be going back in a couple of weeks also. I hate this war and I hate our president. If I were in the service I would hate to serve under this little man. Bless your brother; he's 100 times the man Bush could ever hope to be.

[democrank]

27. ~PEACE~

That`s all I can say, MLF. Peace to your brother, to you, your family. Peace to every little child, every senior citizen, every teacher, every carpenter, every veteran, everyone. Take care.

[MLFerrell]

29. My feelings exactly.

War is not the answer. It hardly ever is...

[npincus]

28. SO, so sorry

and I will pray for your brother's safe return.

[MLFerrell]

30. Thank you for your concern, npincus.

Your prayers are very much appreciated.

:pals:

[proud patriot]

32. I hope he returns home safe and sound

:hug:

[MLFerrell]

33. Thank you, proud patriot.

I appreciate your kind words.

:)

[Captain Angry]

34. Sending good thoughts your way.

My little brother should be returning from his 2nd tour in Iraq in 30-60 days.

I have to put my head in the sand to sleep. I ignore every thread about casualties. I ignore every thread about bombings or Iraq in general. If it's a policy thing, I'll read it. But if it's about current events, I can't do it.

I don't watch the major media.

I won't even play video games anymore where the people in it look like soldiers.

I can't take it.

So, here's all I can suggest for you. Send your brother anything he wants while he's there. When you get to send word, talk about when he's coming home, when he's getting leave. Don't make him talk about the things he's seeing or doing. Unless, he wants to of course. He's in charge. But my experience was that he didn't want to even think about it.

I'm afraid that my brother was part of something over there. He's the sweetest kid in the world, and then all of a sudden, the last time he called his wife, he mentioned that when he gets out in a couple of months, they should move. I'm in town, our sister is in town, his wife has been here in town for ages. And he wants to pick up and move away when he gets here. I'm hoping it was a weird phase or something. But knowing what those guys have to deal with, I'm afraid that he's ashamed to live near us. And that scares the hell out of me.

So, keep his spirits up. Spoil him rotten from afar.

Good luck!

[MLFerrell]

35. I appreciate the suggestions on dealing with this situation.

And I send my deepest hope that your brother will return home safe and sound (and right on schedule).

:pals:

[Highway61]

36. Bless him

May the time go swiftly for you both and you're all together again soon.

edit spelling (sigh)

[applegrove]

37. I'm so sorry.