, but when Boomer mailed it to me I didn't recognize it and had to ask my research assistant Mr. Google where it came from. It's worth reading again even if you've seen it before:
Scott Johnson
We've written here several times about Minnesota's Lt. Col. Joe Repya, who volunteered to return to active duty for service in Iraq at age 59. Joe's previous service includes command of a rifle platoon in Vietnam and flying helicopters in the first Gulf War.
Joe is a classic citizen patriot and activist. He first came to public attention in March 2003 when, disturbed by the anti-war campaign mounted by Minnesota liberals, he arranged for the production of lawn signs saying "Liberate Iraq -- Support Our Troops." His effort garnered a lot of publicity, and Joe eventually distributed 30,000 signs.
Today he writes:
Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth month of duty in Iraq, I was forced to return to the USA for surgery for an injury I sustained prior to my deployment. With luck, I'll return to Iraq in January to finish my tour. I left Baghdad and a war that has every indication that we are winning, to return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971 after my tour in Vietnam. Maybe it's because I'll turn 60 years old in just four months, but I'm tired:
I'm tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican who lack the courage, fortitude, and character to see these difficult tasks through.
I'm tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history when the going gets tough.
I'm tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they "Support the Troops" by wanting them to "Cut and Run" before victory is achieved.
[...]
Mostly, I'm tired that the people of this great nation didn't learn from history that there is no substitute for Victory.
Sincerely,
Joe Repya Lieutenant Colonel U. S. Army 101st Airborne Division
Is anybody listening?
Contributed by Bill Faith on March 29, 2007 at 09:37 PM in , , , |
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Someone using the email address daver@hotmail.com and claiming to be LTC Rapaya (or Rapya; he spelled it two wrong ways) just attempted to leave an alternate version of the above letter as a comment on this post. I wrote him back and offered to post his version if and when he sends it to me from a .mil address.