Ghosts of Anbar

I am a former Marine.  I still look back on the days that I was in the service with fondness and regret getting out.  I don't mind civilian life; it has been good to me for the most part.  What I miss is the constantcy of my surroundings, both emotional and physical.

I knew my Staff Sergeant would be on my ass if my hair was not within regs.

I knew my buddies would have my back in a bar scrap.

I knew that I always had one shitbird that I would constantly have to stay on top of, or again, the SSgt would be all over my ass.

I knew that Africa and the Gulf would suck, but at least I had a haircut within regs.

I knew that my Dress Blues were the sharpest suit I'd ever wear.

With all the war talk and political bullshit flying around, you see lots of folks saying "Support the Troops" or buying crap magnets from a 7-11, slapping them on their gas-chugging SUVs and never giving a second thought to who actually turned a profit on that cash transaction.  Never do they pick up a magazine or turn on the TV and get the straight dope on what the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines are going through or the progress being made.  It's not popular, it doesn't sell copy.  Just like watching the television here in Los Angeles, you'll only hear about the "bad stuff"; shootings, bombings, terrible shock and awe press. 

Well, fuck that.

I've been reading from http://www.michaelyon-online.com/ for quite a while.  Michael Yon is a self supported journalist on the ground in Iraq.  He doesn't get any money from Fox or CNN or any other outfit that might skew his reporting to fit a political agenda.  He tells the stories of the troopsand people living and fighting the war on terror- the happenings on the ground, what hardships are faced, what victories are won, and the heartache that is wrought.  It is straight forward, some of the best reporting you can get.  One man cannot tell the whole story, but he most definitely can give some insight. 

I am not going to play flame war with anyone, so do not fire any political horseshit at me, I don't give a fuck about how you think the war should be run, when we should pull out, or if John Kerry should have won the election.  I don't care if you are a rabid Bush supporter and want to try and justify your position.

I care about the men and women over there protecting your right to do so.  Just keep it off my blog.  Read the stories.  Spend some time with your family tonight and pray to whomever you pray to for the safe return of peace and a normal way of life for both our warfighters overseas and the people they are trying to protect.

Have a great evening.