SwiftVets.com

[Polaris]

This is going to sound cold, but better that 1000 mark be hit now when other things are breaking against Kerry rather than later (such as just before the election). The 1000 issue is just a tempest in a teapot.

If you really want to make a lib shut up about it, remind said lib that we lost 20,000 troops over 7 years occupying Germany in the occupation alone and most of those were in the first 2-3 years.
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-Polaris

Truth is Beauty

[Paul R.]

Hey, Polaris,

I have been wondering what that figure was for a long time. That 20,000
sounds like an awfully "rounded off" number, though. Do you have an
unimpeachable source for it, and exact numbers? I'd love to remind a few libs!!!

[Hammer2]

Why dosen't anyone call these people on this!

1000 Dead in Iraq, from the beginning of the war until now, and they have to include non-combat and civilian deaths to reach this number. This is a total time frame of 18 months.

I do not mean to belittle their sacrifice, but let's put this in perspective:

Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3 1863, 3 days - 0ver 7800 Killed in action.
http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/gettysburg/getty4.aspx

Belleau Wood, June 1918, 22 days - 1811 KIA
http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/belleau.htm

D-Day, June 6 1944 - 1465 KIA
Http://www.ddaymuseum.co.uk/faq.htm#casualities

Heartbreak Ridge, Sept. 13 - Oct 13 1953, 30 Days - 597 KIA
http://www.2id.org/heartbreakridge.htm

Khe Sanh, Jan 21 - Feb 29 1968, 40 Days - 205 KIA
http://www.willpete.com/siege.htm

Note that I only listed individual battles, not the entire conflict. In addition, I only listed American, not Allied or enemy casualties.

Now then, these jerks have the unmitigated gall to scream about the high number of American casualties in Iraq?

I shudder to think what would happen to our country if people who are so absolutely clueless are in charge of the defense of America!

Not while I am alive!!!!!
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"The price of freedom is eternal vigilence" - Thomas Jefferson
"An armed society is a polite society" - Thomas Jefferson
"The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it won't be needed until someone tries to take it away." -- Thomas Jefferson

[rb325th]

I am sure as all other Veterans do, I mourn the loss of every single one of our Men and Woman who have bravely and honorably served their Nation.
Wether from enemey fire or accident, wether in Uniform or working for those in Uniform, their Loss is equally felt.
May God welcome them with open arms and watch over those left behind.
RIP Brothers!!
These men did not die to be pawns in anyones Political Games, they died in the Service of all of us. Never Forget them and the hundreds of thousands who have fallen before them.
No greater love has man, than to lay down his life for another.
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U.S. Army 1983-1995, 11C1P/11H2P NBTDT

[ASPB]

[rb325th]

ASPB, I hear you! The few doing the most, for the most ungrateful.
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U.S. Army 1983-1995, 11C1P/11H2P NBTDT

[lrb111]

I will hold my tongue so as to not mention him in the same breath as our fallen.

But remember who he is. http://www.kerryoniraq.com
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said Democratic Chairman Terry McAuliffe. "It is inexcusable to mock service and sacrifice."
well, when even the DNC can see it,,,,, then kerry is toast.

[NortonPete]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040907/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_us_toll_troops_040907205153
US soldiers in Iraq say 1,000 death toll meaningless
Exerpt>>>

Tue Sep 7, 4:51 PM E

BAQUBA, Iraq (AFP) - The deaths of 1,000 American troops in Iraq (news - web sites) since the 2003 invasion to topple Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) has only strengthened US resolve to restore security to the strife-torn country, soldiers said.



Dismissing parallels with the 1961-75 war in Vietnam, officers lashed out at the media for playing the grim-reaper over the mounting casualty toll and failing to appreciate the sacrifices made by each soldier.

"It sucks. The newspapers glorify it. Everyday, reporting the numbers going up and up, trying to push a point," said Captain Gregory Wingard, 39, at the 1st Infantry Division's Camp Warhorse near Baquba, north of Baghdad.

"Sad as it is for those 1,000 families and their friends, they're nothing to the number of Iraqis that get killed trying to defend their own families," he added, smoking a cigar with friends under the stars.

"There's one word you have to push back at them. Gettsburg: 63,000 killed in a single day," said Sergeant Kimberly Snow, 35, from Ohio, refering to the US civil war battle.

The conversation turns to a comrade, a Muslim US soldier who was killed in June when a suicide bomber blew up a car outside the north gate of the base.

"I'm nervous, sure, because you don't know. When I lay down on my rack for the first 10 minutes I'm listening for mortars," said Wingard.

The bombs make him "I want to get that bastard."

US patrols are considered combat missions and soldiers have to be prepared to the worst every time they roll out of their bases.

"There's always a fear in the back of your head, but you can't let it take over," said Snow, speaking about the soldiers' biggest scourge -- the improvised explosive device, known as IEDs to the army, or a roadside bomb to civilians.

"The scary thing is its not like facing a normal enemy and you've got a good chance of fighting back. You're just tooling down the road and boom there's an explosion," said National Guard Major Tony Quinn, from North Carolina.

"If 1,000 died today, that'd be pretty significant, but its just another number," said 36-year-old Quinn, who is based along the Iran-Iraqi border.

"Every single soldier knows the risk. You do the best you can with your day and don't think about it. If I was to get killed tomorrow by an IED, I would not regret coming over here," said Captain Michael Adams, 37, from Oregon.

"Six months ago people were afraid of their own shadow. Now I've seen kids playing in the park, farmers are out working. Now they can have a chance at rebuilding their country," he added.

"Obviously when you loose people, its a tragic time. But you don't loose morale. It strengthens your resolve," said Specialist Robert Bybee, 21, deployed in Saddam's hometown of Tikrit.

But for several young soldiers, barely old enough to graduate from college or have a beer in a US bar, the horror of war and the separation from loved ones is wearing thin.

"I'm scared even to take a shower in case they mortar us. I want to go home and be with my wife and start a family," said Specialist Luis Cruz, 21, from Puerto Rico, also based near Baquba.



But none of the soldiers accept any similarities with Vietnam, where tens of thousands of soldiers were killed before the United States finally withdrew.

"Once in a while people make comparisons, but I don't think the majority of soldiers feel there are any similarities," said Quinn.

"We are winning the hearts and minds... It's nothing like Vietnam. We're still missing 60,000, 52,000 were killed. We've had 1,000 soldiers die, how can you make a comparison?" said Wingard.

[bach04]

The liberal media and kerry camp had been waiting for days for this milestone now. Incredible how they would reduce the ultimate sacrifice of soldiers to mere numbers and milestones, but that's what they are all about - to take bad news and spin it into whatever political agenda that serves their purpose. These heroes had made the ultimate sacrifice to fight tyranny and fight for freedom and democracy, and Kerry has exploited their heroism for his selfish gains. Then that traitor publicly saying that this is a wrong cause. Kerry had flip flopped on many issues, but being a traitor to the troops is something he will always be..

[LimaCharlie]

I strongly believe the terrorists are voting for John Kerry by increasing attacks everywhere except for in the US. If they attack here before the election, it would just push Bush over the top.
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I was going to become an anarchist, but they had too many rules.

[bach04]

It is more than mere coincidence that there is an upsurge in violence in Iraq recently. There was a lull before the RNC, when the extremists pulled out of that mosque in Najaf; and things appeared to be somewhat "calm." But with Kerry resorting to Dean-like rhetorics, the extremists all around the world, especially in the middle east, are doing whatever they can to get Kerry elected. Kerry and his liberal media followers are playing along with the terrorist's ploy. I pray for our troops to be safe in the coming weeks.

[djv]

From a soldier at anysoldier.us:

It’s been another tough week. We lost a Soldier. Please include Specialist Joseph C. Thibodeaux III in your prayers tonight. Although, he was not directly under my command, just the same, collectively our souls were ripped out. When you've gone through combat and sacrificed together, every fallen Soldier is yours. He was my brother. We were all at the runway at rigid attention when his body was flown out of Iraq. May God bless his soul.

Like Joseph, many of the brave Soldiers I have the privilege to command are barely out of high school. In fact, many are still not old enough to drink beer yet with a rifle on-hand, they hold the line for you and me. They sacrifice so much yet ask so little. I’m so honored to be serving along side these young heroes daily. They are the best sons and daughters of America.

But please never feel sorry for us. This is the life we chose and darn proud of it. Our comfort is that we will always be able to say that once upon our lifetime, we committed our selves, spouses, and families in a cause that was noble and good; we did it not for glory, or territory, or riches but simply to liberate a hopeful people and bring peace to a troubled part of the world. In the Bible it said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.” We are the good guys. We are America’s team. Failure isn’t an option. If it is, 900 hundred of our fallen brothers in arms would have died for NOTHING. We will prevail.

It’s an honored to be fighting for all. God bless our troops. God bless America.

[Ubermensch]

[Scott]

How many U.S. troops did die in the occupation of Germany?
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Bye bye, Boston Straggler!

[Ubermensch]