SwiftVets.com

[Zac's Mom]

[Adnil77]

"To Our Heroes"
This song is dedicated to all of the brave men and women who are serving in Iraq

To all of our soldiers, let this message ring clear. We're so very proud of you, and we wanted you to hear; that America is standing beside you. And we're proud of all that you've done. Don't think for one moment, we'll forget you, and we're praying that this war will soon be done.

It takes courage to stand for what is right. To have peace, sometimes you have to fight. We're behind you all the way. And for America we say, 'hurry back to the good old USA'.

To our heroes, from the good old USA. You're not alone; you're in our prayers each day. And with you we do unite. We are with you in this fight. And there we'll stay, till you're home safe, in the USA.

Don't be hurt by those who criticize. They want peace, but they're mad at the wrong guys. If Sadam had had his way, we would all be dead one day, So we thank you, from the good old USA.

To our heroes, from the good old USA. You're not alone; you're in our prayers each day. And with you we do unite. We were with you in this fight. And there we'll stay, till you're home safe, in the USA.

Mine eyes have seen the glory, and the power of the Lord, He has marched across the desert, where the death weapons were stored, He has used a mighty army, and He yielded a swift sword, His truth is marching on.

To our heroes, from the good old USA. You're not alone; you're in our prayers each day. And with you we do unite. We are with you in this fight. And there we'll stay, till you're home safe, in the USA!

Written by Linda & Greg Lewis. (C)2004 BMI

[TEWSPilot]

My daughter-in-law's brother is in helicopter training, and he was interviewed on TV. He sent her the video. I believe this is at Fort Rucker. Here is the link if anyone would like to watch it.

Shaun Scully Interview

[Mother]

Well, isn't this interesting.

http://www.michaelmoore.com/books-films/dudewheresmycountry/soldierletters/00.php
SOLDIER LETTERS

This letter was sent by mail from Iraq from Specialist Mike Prysner:

Dear Mr. Moore:

I’m writing this without knowing if it’ll ever get to you. I’m writing it not knowing why, or knowing what I’m going to say. I’m writing it not knowing if I’ll ever finish it or mail it. I’m writing it from the trenches of a war (that’s still going on,) not knowing why I’m here or when I’m leaving. I’ve toppled statues and vandalized portraits, while wearing an American flag on my sleeve, and struggling to learn how to understand.

I was in Vicenza, Italy when I heard your Oscar acceptance speech. It was the day before I boarded a plane and experienced a “combat landing” in uncharted territory in northern Iraq. It was such a surreal feeling—the only light came from a red bulb—we sat shoulder to shoulder in silence. We were told to expect heavy artillery/chemical attacks. I can’t say I know what was on the minds of those men packed next to me, but I assume it was thoughts of family and religion. But me, a single 20 year old, I was thinking about what you had said. I joined the army as soon as I was eligible – turned down a writing scholarship to a state university, eager to serve my country, ready to die for the ideals I fell in love with. Two years later I found myself moments away from a landing onto a pitch black airstrip, ready to charge into a country I didn't believe I belonged in, with your words repeating in my head.

My time in Iraq has always involved finding things to convince myself that I can be proud of my actions; that I was a part of something just. But no matter what pro-war argument I came up with, I pictured my smirking commander-in-chief, thinking he was fooling a nation. I discovered that the result of the war and the actions of G.W. cannot be treated as the same issue. Bush accidentally did a good thing for the Iraqi people. After the fact he's starting to claim humanitarian intentions for going to war - obviously ********. But he realizes that that is the only positive outcome. I could explain what I've seen here; a people forced into poverty & ignorance – but I'll spare you. I try not to think about the ultimate future of this place. I'm sure we'll cause them to fall victim to Banana Republic and Joe Millionaire, with a puppet president and monopolized oil industry. But there will be plenty of time in the future to worry about those things.

I can't say I know what I believe. I am willing to accept that my opinions are a result of a given subconscious, not sufficient knowledge. Do I support care for the low income class because I truly understand the system, or because I've personified inadequacies and identified with those who experience struggle. Does a conservative oppose gay rights because he genuinely understands the issue or because he's scared to face deeper levels of humanity? What if you could be given a reason for everything you believe, but the reason is unrelated to the topic – the result of a life and a psyche? Will we believe those things the same way we used to? I call myself a liberal because I've been moved to tears by the words of Paul Wellstone, scenes in "The Awful Truth," the funeral of Matthew Sheppard, and the homeless people in the city I once lived in. It's not what I know, it's what I felt. It's dangerous to rely on emotions to guide your moral compass – but it’s the only way to be honest. I understand everything I believe may be wrong; that I believe for a reason, and that reason may not be reality. I'm not sure what I'm trying to say. Maybe just that I can't look at this war politically. I can only look at it as an experience that has taught me that life is dictated by seconds and inches; one that has caused me to face death and loss and fear. And at its core, stripped of the WMD's and no-contest contracts, it's been about one thing: serving my country. The most difficult thing has been learning how to be proud of that. This country, I'm serving,…is it America? Has it ever been? It's always bothered me that, despite the American philosophy, it became NECESSARY for a civil right movement, it became NECESSARY to form the ACLU. I've simultaneously battled Saddam loyalists and these questions. Kind of an odd setting for suddenly doubting my patriotism. But while my fight with those trying to kill my friends & I is far from ending, the fight within myself has ended.

I found what I've been fighting for. It's been you, all along. I hated you on a plane ride in the dark with shaking hands. But you've been the roof of my loyalty, my bravery, and my dignity. Mr. Moore, you are America. This isn't a "I'm a hip liberal & I'll be cool if I get an autographed copy of Stupid White Men" letter. I've faced every weapon, from SCUDs to swords, and I've had to face why. And you've been the answer. I'm serving a country in which you live; where you're allowed to speak and PEOPLE LISTEN; where you're allowed to write and PEOPLE READ. What a beautiful country – every injustice has a prosecutor – every struggle has a defender. We are still a country being born. Compassion will never lose to conservatism…the country could be ruled by Jerry Falwell and Dick Cheney – but there will always be tears, as long as there is injustice and oppression and greed and hypocrisy. And there will always be you, the people you've taught, the lives you've influenced. You reminded me that America exists, and I suppose this letter is meant to thank you for that. I can't explain the pride you've instilled in me, and the comfort you've given me, to know that if I find myself fallen on the battlefield, I gave my life serving something I loved and truly believed in.

Sincerely,
Mike Prysner

[LPM]

God bless our troops, God bless our USA, and thank GOD that the American people have voted in George Bush for another 4 years. My husband is a Viet Nam Vet, crew chief on Gunships. He has so many memories of awful days in that country, and especially how he and his fellow soldiers abhored John Kerry and his ilk.
We sit and watch only FOX news because they seem the fairest. We are always so amazed and heartened by the strength, heart, and stamina of those kids over there in Iraq and Afghanistan. God, we are so proud of them.
LPM

[MSeeger]

Speaking of Michael Moore's letters from soldiers...

Has anyone noticed that those letters that allegedly come from people who agree with his viewpoints have no names attached to them? Or just blank spaces?

While a couple which seem supportive with real names...well, the second one didn't exactly talk about their time in Iraq very much but just about perceived injustices at home.

Why am I not surpised that the letters that seem to agree with his viewpoint don't have any names attached to them. It's not that I doubt their authenticity...oh wait, maybe I do...maybe I know that a man who is fully capable of producing a "documentary" based on lies, half truths and innuendos is fully capable of making up his own letters.

But even if those letters are genunine (and I confess I didn't read many of them)...he will say that he didn't print their names either because they requested anonymity, or out of fear that right wing extremists would harass and threaten these people for daring to have anti-war opinions.

Maria
_________________
Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Gal. 6:7

[azTrish]

This was sent to me from a mom whose son is currently serving in Iraq.
----- Original Message -----

Like me, you may have seen this one (more than once).

I hadn't so thought I would share it here with you all.

Trish

Twas the Night Before Christmas


TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
> HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
> IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
> PLASTER AND STONE.
>
> I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
> WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
> AND TO SEE JUST WHO
> IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.
>
> I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
> A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
> NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
> NOT EVEN A TREE.
>
> NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
> JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
> ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
> OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
>
> WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
> AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
> A SOBER THOUGHT
> CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
>
> FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
> IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
> I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
> ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
>
> THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
> SILENT, ALONE,
> CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
> IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
>
> THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
> THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
> NOT HOW I PICTURED
> A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.
>
> WAS THIS THE HERO
> OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
> CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
> THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
>
> I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
> THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
> OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
> WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
>
> SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
> THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
> AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
> A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
>
> THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
> EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
> BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
> LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
>
> I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
> HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
> ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
> IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
>
> THE VERY THOUGHT
> BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
> I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
> AND STARTED TO CRY.
>
> THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
> AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
> "SANTA DON'T CRY,
> THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
>
> I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
> I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
> MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
> MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
>
> THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
> AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
> I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
> I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
>
> I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
> SO SILENT AND STILL
> AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
> FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
>
> I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
> ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
> THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
> SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
>
> THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
> WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
> WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
> IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
>
> ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
> AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
> "MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
> AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
>
> This poem was written by a Marine. The
> following is his request. I think it is reasonable.....
>
> PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favor of sending
this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon
and some credit is due to our U.S. service men and women for our being
able to celebrate these festivities.Let's try in this small way to pay a
tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and
dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant
this small seed.

[lonevoice]

I spent Christmas day 1977 sitting on the exhaust vent of a M60A1 tank up on the Z in Korea.
(I wasn't a tanker, but it was cold, ok. I have come to find that it wasn't the exhaust, but I still don't know. Whatever it is on top...

Away from home, cold and lonely sucks, especially this time of year.

I give all the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines away from home
a big hooah! from the 2nd/75th.
_________________
It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.
-Mother Teresa

If it's not a baby, you're not pregnant.
-me

[kate]

http://www.dvidshub.net/index.php
The Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System
--- Media from Military Operations, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom
--- Army Public Affairs Units in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan
--- interviews, imagery, video footage and print stories


a couple selections from the Video Archive

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/?c=10&o=3&start=50
Title: Vietnam Vets Fly to Fallujah Cat: Id: 891 ( long clip, 25 minutes)
scroll to
Nine Vietnam veterans take to the skies to fly a Blackhawk mission from LSA Anaconda to Fallujah in recognition of Veteran's Day. One soldier joined the crew in memory of his grandfather, who fought in the Vietnam War. Video from the 13th COSCOM Public Affairs Office.

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/?c=10&o=3&start=70
Title: Sing the National Anthem Cat: Id: 857
scroll to
Two Marines from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force sing the National Anthem in front of the American Flag. First rendition is by Corporal Mark Sixbey (from Metlakatla, AK). Followed by Sergeant Robert Jones Jr. (from Oceanside, CA). Video from I MEF Public Affairs Office.
(October 21st...note the flag ducktaped to a wall. This is what freedom sounds like)
_________________
.
one of..... We The People