How has the war in Iraq affected you personally?

Oh, Lonesome Me

You're thoughts are my Prayers, my Friends. God Bless our Brave Soldiers. And for those who trample on them? Still recieve my thoughts. When I lay down at night. You're a fine Man, Sarge!

EDIT* - Quite an impressive showing here, Sarge. We've got several of America's Finest, on deck. Thanks for taking the time.**

kevsher01

It has not. I thank God for you brave men & women. Keep low. Shoot straight. And Gods Speed.

Ben Jeepin

I was there Feb. '03 to Apr. '04. My brother is there now. I go back again next winter. Everybody can pay lip service to supporting whatever. Put your money where your mouth is. With Memorial Day coming up, visit a VA hospital. Or a Veterans' cemetery. Thousands of WW2 veterans are dying every day. Thank them. And the Vietnam vets.

FF ENG9INE

I have spent 24 months in the sandbox and am going back for another year in Feb. I also have lost a couple of my friends however we all know that we may have to make the ultimate sacrafice for freedom

vtsztpu

I have a son in the army there on his second tour. I have a grandson who is a Marine corpsman getting ready to go. To the war's and the president's critics, I pose these questions: Can we afford to surrender Iraq to al qaeda and Iran, and, if we don't beat them now, in Iraq, when and where will we ever beat them?

only p

My sister was deployed to Iraq as were some of my best friends. I am thankful for all that our troops have done, past and present. God Bless America

baby7k

Finally! someone who may actually listen and not try to start sh!t with me. But honestly, I truly believe that if we pull the soldiers out Iraq then they are going to come over here and kill us all! That may sound bad, but I'm sorry its the truth. I actually want to live the rest of my life. My boyfriend's brother was in the first group of air crafts that deployed bombs on them, it makes me really proud to know that someone that I could be related to someday has made a difference. I have a friend that is on his 4th tour of Iraq, he has sacrificed his child's first year of life to be defending us and our country. Being a student, it has made me realize how lucky we are. A classmate of mine is going into the army. We graduate high school on June 2nd, and he is the one that I am probably the most proud of and I'm honored that I can call someone like that a classmate and a friend.

River Rat Vietnam

Iraq has brought back so many memories of Nam. I was a river rat in the Navy then. Right after I came back from Nam and got out of the hospital, I was in the airport in New York, in uniform, and several people my own age spit on me and called me a baby killer. At least the people in Iraq don't have to face that. I wish them the best. I haven't lost anyone close to me in Iraq (yet) but I lost several close friends in Nam. It hurts.

James M

I am partially deaf in my right ear and have back issues after jumping off my hummvee in iraq due to a mortar attack. I have lost friends and I realized just how important my family and friends are to me, so i don't mind my injuries. I got to go home to my family and friends, some didnt.

joey322

the war has allowed more attention and money to be focused on the military, so my husband has gotten pay increases and financial boosts.
yes, when he deploys, it's scary and tough, but financially, it has helped.

if/when the war ends and a democrat is in the white house, our financial situation will change drastically and that can be a scary thought.....

it also has hit a personal level.
he is gone more, we have people tell us that they are proud of him and thank him and me when they know he is a marine.
it's an emotional time and i just try to push it out of my mind, really and focus on the day to day.

hope that was what you were looking for.....

Maria B

Well it put everything into perspective.

When someone you love is sent to fight there for you and your family it helps to understand the times we're living in. I know I am not alone nor is my story special. But there have been many sleepless nights. Many, many prayers. At the end I've shed tears of loss and tears of happiness.

I think it made me realize how proud I am to live in this country and to be called an American.

armyparalegal

I got hit by an IED. nobody got hurt thank goodness.

Minister

There are several Military Families in our Church, and I have several Co - Workers who have Family Members in Iraq. I have been impacted in that way. I keep them in my Prayers.
Be Blessed in Christ Jesus !
Minister

Edit :
I wear RED on Friday, and make mention of why on our Churches TV Program which airs on Friday.

My husband is currently deployed to Iraq for his second tour. That it affects me personally is obvious.

But, even when he was home (between tours)... I found myself avoiding the news. It is too hard to hear about another fatality, another bombing, or any other negativity from Iraq. I end up missing valuable news information about situations more domestic for that reason. I find myself a little lost when it comes to current events, sometimes. I end up backtracking and searching for news stories on the internet.

hollybear1280

My life has been put on hold by this war. My husband is currently deployed, and as he is the closest family I have, all I can do is sit here and wait for him to return.

And guess what. I still support him and the war. Because I realize that the American Flag and our freedom come before my marriage. And it hurts me to see people abuse that right. They throw it around not caring that someone died to give them their right to say the bull **** they say. I also know that Al Qaeda would follow our troops home if we withdrew. We're holding them at bay. So let them finish their jobs already.

Also, all of my close friend's husbands have either been to Iraq, are in Iraq, or are going to Iraq before the end of the year. Some of them had babies or will have babies right before their husbands deploy. But we get it. We know why they must go.

Iâ™¥Choir

I have a friend in college that had to go to Iraq for a year. He is in the National Guard.

Fancy That

my son-in-law was deployed to Kuwait during the invasion. He was from the 3rd infantry (where the first POW's were taken). His unit was scheduled to go in after the 4th infantry had invaded, but that infantry was so traumatized by the march into Bagdad that the military decided not to subject another team to those conditions while they already had people in the city.

My daughter spent 6 months glued to the TV and freaking out. It was really hard for her to see the bodies in the fatiques that everyone wore in Fort Bliss. Brought all that death and destruction right home to her.

My son in law probably won't go to Iraq because the army is having so much difficulty getting recruits that he has risen in rank to a point that no 24 year old ever did before, so he's considered too valuable to sacrifice in Iraq.

Their marriage is suffering, however, because there are so few soldiers available, his work load is unbelievable and he comes home cranky a lot.

I know this story isn't as bad as some, we have been most fortunate. But God, it breaks my heart. These military kids are so great.

ravin_lunatic

my husband had been out for 10 years when he got the call to 'go' (stop loss policy for IRR's)...he wasnt real stable before he left and now we are divorced (good friends though)... he lost friends, felt his country deserted him, hated when lil kids asked him if he killed anybody, and pretty much a shipwreck...which effected my life in ways I hardly know how to deal with..being alone was never a part of my life plan, even from birth!! Losing so many of our kids there, but their bravery and commitment inspire me and make me proud to be an American! I HATE when people say "I support our troops but NOT the war" WHAT ARE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU SAY THAT TO THEM???

Ima Stressed Out

Yes. We have been so blessed to have had 3 different family members serve in Iraq and come home safely. One of the girls in the office where I work, her husband is in Iraq. One of son's little league coaches is also in Iraq.

Pgh10

I have not lost any friends or family in the Iraq war. However, it has affected me personally in some subtle ways. As an American, I feel sadder, more helpless, less hopeful. I am very discouraged in general. The only small positive that occurred is that now I e-mail my congressman to comment on the war's progress, etc. I realized Americans must be ever vigilant, must take elections seriously, and really put effort into supporting good candidates.

raindovewmn41

you know i remember when they broke in and aired the first hit on Iraq that scene I will never forget all that kept going threw my head is I hope there arent any children and innocents there near by and they dont even know whats going to happen ,,i cryed for the children this is so difficult for everyone,,and i know a lot of young men going in I just pray for them all !

madbaldscotsman

Well reguarless of what I think about it, this is what happened to me personally:
I had a successful I.T. corporation that I had just started. I was the CEO with 5 vice presidents and was pulling in about $1600 every week besides my regular job. I got called up for OIF 1 and couldn't contact any of my vice presidents for almost 6 months due to the movement security and no internet, cell phones -whatnot. The vice presidents decided to start their own businesses and work for other people. I wasn't there to keep them together, conduct business and deal with the outsourcing and contracts. They were young.
My wife fooled around on me while I was gone. Don't blame her. She was a nympho. I was too but could keep it in my pants. She couldn't. Divorce of course. Can't live with that.
One of my buddies died in a double blackhawk collision in Mosul one November. Death is usually a bad thing.
Hmmmmm... anything positive... OH! I got promoted one rank!
Hey ya know, I signed up for it, I'm not complaining. I'm just telling you how it affected me.

chris b

The price of petrol in Australia has sky rocketed! Predicting $1.50 a litre by end of October.

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