Why war funding matters to me: My husband, Sgt. Johnson

[medicswife]

My husband and father to our four beautiful children is currently deployed to Northern Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division. He is a medic. When he decided to join the Army, it was because the economy had gone to hell after the beginning of Bush's Presidency and we were damn near homeless. He chose to be a medic because if he ever did have to go to war, he wanted his job to be saving people, not killing them. Well, as things worked out, he's now been to Iraq twice. The first time, he was extended and stayed 15 months. This time, his orders just flat out say, 15 months.

I don't hear from him as much as I wish that I did, but I got some exciting news today. His unit is going to be getting some Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, or MRAP's. Why are they getting them? Because Senator Joe Biden fought like hell to get them into the Iraq funding bill. Why are these vehicles so important? Over 70% of the casualties in Iraq are from the dreaded IED, and over 73% of the catastrophic injuries that are not life ending are also caused by these bombs. The MRAP vehicle protects troops from the favored weapon of those who would strive to kill my husband and his comrades. The Armor on these machines has not failed once.

On December 4, 2007 a group of soldiers from my husband's unit was responding to a suspected IED when they became the targets of an attack. There were 4 men in the vehicle. Three of them died. The lone survivor was so badly burned that he will be spending at least a year in Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. If they had been in an MRAP, they would NOT have died, and that poor Private who probably just needed the G.I. Bill and some steady income is maimed for life.

Senator Biden stands strong on this issue even though he has taken a pounding because of his refusal to vote against funding. To me, this speaks volumes about his priorities. He knows that any attempts to cut funding are simply going to be turned against the Democratic Party. His valiant efforts to make sure that our troops have the equipment that they need as long as they are in Iraq insulates him against the attacks that the Republicans are sure to level come time for the General Election. We need a clear victory this time round, and Joe Biden can deliver that victory.

I ask all of you to please, put aside for a few minutes, any anger or resentment that you harbor against Senator Biden for refusing to defund the war, and consider how you would feel if you were in my shoes. My husband, the love of my life, the father to four small children aged 7, 5, 4, and 2 is in Iraq because George Bush and Dick Cheney and their lot are liars. Wouldn't you, in my shoes want to make sure that as long as he had to be there, as long as he was honorably fulfilling his duty, that he were as safe as possible?

Respectfully,

Mrs. M. Johnson
Fort Campbell, KY

[Maat]

1. Wow.

Powerful post!

I'm glad that the proper equipment is getting to military personnel, and I truly appreciate the efforts of those who got that done!

May they all come home safely, and soon!

[medicswife]

2. Thank you. I should have provided this link but forgot...

http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2007-07-15-ied-cover_N.htm

I'm also going to give a link to my blog where I wrote some more about my reasons for supporting Sen. Biden.

http://m-g5683.blogspot.com/

[Name removed]

3. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[1corona4u]

4. Thank You medicswife.

It truly was an important vote, and we all need to remember the people still in Iraq. Their safety is far more important than anything else.

[zabet]

5. K and R

Hate the war,
Love the warrior.
:thumbsup:

[medicswife]

8. thanks, jane. :) I do love my warrior too. :) And I hate the war

more than a lot of you can even begin to imagine. It's done horrible, horrible things to a lot of my very good friends, and to my family as well. The repeated tours are brutal. My husband and I are very lucky in that we have a very strong relationship. I've seen way too many divorces in the last 4 years and way too many friends with injured or killed spouses.

[KennedyGuy]

6. As one who serves in the Reserves..

Please give your husband my thanks and prayers for his continued safety..

[medicswife]

7. I will. Thank you. n/t

[Auntie Bush]

9. That's one of the reasons Biden is my second choice. He's good man!

T wolf needs a slap upside the head for her comment. Disgusting!
I pray your husband comes home safely.

Yes, as long as we are there our soldiers need protecting. It's up to the politicians and the American people to end this war. You don't do it by strangling the troops! That was an excellent post and I hope those who believe in ending funding are reading and thinking instead of playing politics. Bless you and your family.

[1corona4u]

10. AMEN.

[medicswife]

11. Thank you. I haven't put anything this personal

out there until now for exactly this reason, but this is the most important election that we will have ever participated in and I felt that I had a perspective to offer that might help some people understand why Biden finds it repugnant to cut off funding.

[1corona4u]

12. I'm so sorry this happened....

really....:(

[cali]

13. Thank you so much for your post

I meant to respond to you with my gratitude for your cogent expression of support for Biden, but I got side tracked. I hope your husband returns to you and your children, sound in body, mind and spirit.

k&r.

[medicswife]

14. Thank you. And thank you for sticking up for my husband. nt.

[BeatleBoot]

15. Thank you for your sacrifice.

I mean it.

And please know that you and your family are in our prayers.

Love the Warrior.
Hate the War.
Impeach Bush.

[medicswife]

17. Thanks, Beatle. :) Nice Laura pic, by the way. lol n/t

[Melinda]

16. Beautiful letter, ma'am. Thanks to you & your husband for his service, and prayers for you all.

I can't imagine being in your situation- how brave you all are!! Many, many :grouphug:

[medicswife]

18. Thank you, Melinda. :) Good luck with your pick of Edwards! n/t

[youthere]

19. Thank you for posting this medicswife, and I am TRULY SORRY

for certain base, classless individuals who have posted in a negative manner. Thank you and your husband and your children for the sacrifice you make each and every day. I am caucusing for Joe Biden and one of the reasons is because he will not defund the war, and he will fight to take care of our servicemen and women, not just while they are there, but once they return home as well.
:hug: for you and your family.

[medicswife]

20. It's ok. The last few years have made me tough as nails,

and right now the only thing that could destroy me is if I got that awful knock on the door.

[youthere]

delete dupe

[youthere]

21. No one else will ever know what that's like...

living day to day with that "knock" hanging over your head. My husband was deployed in the first Gulf War, and it takes a great deal of strength just to get by each day. :hug: to you all.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[alteredstate]

23. My stepson is in Baghdad

He's been there for a year with the 82nd Airborne. Michael alternates between gunner duty and driving a Humvee. He's in great danger, and he's seen some of his buddies die horribly. He doesn't have the things he needs to be safe, and sometimes we don't hear from him for several weeks, because he has to wait in line for hours for an available phone. We don't know when he's coming home.

I am voting for Barack Obama because he spoke out against the war from the beginning. If I didn't have a loved one in Iraq, I would have been in favor of stopping the funding of the war. But Michael told us that if the funding was stopped, he would still remain in Iraq, in an even worse situation than he's in right now. So my stepson's a pawn in Bush's fucked-up game.

Think about this before you damn those who had to make the decision to fund the war. If you want to assign blame, blame those who voted to invade Iraq.

[medicswife]

24. 82nd is out of Fort Bragg, right? God bless you guys... n/t

[alteredstate]

28. Yep

Michael was pulled out of training and sent to Baghdad a couple of weeks before the surge. He was supposed to come home for an 18-day leave, but was deployed with no notice when word got out that Saddam Hussein was going to be executed.

[THUNDER HANDS]

26. .

:)

[alteredstate]

31. Hey!!!

;)

[NI4NI]

25. Recommended........Highly!

for you, your family, and for every family who has either already suffered the worst, or who are still sacrificing the most.:patriot:

We already know the one who truly believes "THAT THERE ARE SOMETHINGS WORTH LOSING AN ELECTION FOR".

Greatest of hopes, thoughts, and wishes for you and yours.

[medicswife]

27. And he is right again. :) n/t

[PatSeg]

29. I started reading this heartfelt thread

with compassion and respect. I would have never believed that such a thread could turn so ugly. I cannot even imagine what the disruptor thought he/she was doing, but it was cruel and insensitive.

Thank you for sharing your story with us and I'm so sorry you were attacked here of all places.

[medicswife]

30. It's ok. Sometimes things like that happen. n/t

[PatSeg]

32. I suppose they do, but it certainly isn't okay

Thank you for being so together and understanding. You are a remarkable woman and I'm so glad you found us.

[medicswife]

33. I am shocked that the messages

that started the fray here are left up, but our responses to them are gone. That actually disheartens me a bit about this place.

[1corona4u]

34. Unbelieveable.

2 more days....

[medicswife]

35. Yup. :) Go JOE! :) n/t

[1corona4u]

39. And, you know what else...

the next time I decide to "donate" to a cause, it will be only to JOE BIDEN, not something else.....if you catch my drift. I like some "return" for my money.

[Name removed]

36. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[PatSeg]

38. What???

I clicked on after the posts were deleted. I had no idea.

Most of us aren't like that. People get into petty fights, but it is very rare to see that kind of attitude.

[1corona4u]

42. You misunderstood...

the offensive messages were left up, but those that were defense were deleted.

[PatSeg]

43. Yeah, I know

I was saying that I had assumed at first that the deleted posts were from the offender, though I couldn't imagine anything worse than what was left up. Unbelievable.

[laugle]

76. Thanks for your story which puts a personal and human face on this

war. Our prayers go with you and your family and a safe return for hubby.

Don't judge us too harshly, people are pretty keyed-up because of tomorrow's election and how close it seems.

Welcome to DU, we are growing rapidly and are respected by many liberal media groups. I hope you will find your time here useful.

Best wishes to you and yours....things are looking-up for all of us......

[medicswife]

79. Yes, they are! I can't wait to get this party started! n/t

[Sparkly]

37. Thanks for your post.

You're also right that a candidate who voted against funding wouldn't be viable in the general election. (The GOP has practically tried to goad Democrats into doing that.) I think all of the Democrats running realize that.

[medicswife]

47. I think that they do too. At least, I hope so! n/t

[lisainmilo]

40. Bless You and your Husband & your children

and Biden for fighting for this.:)

May you all remain safe.

[Infinite Hope]

41. As a person who nearly lost my brother in Iraq, I agree with your sentiment. n/t

[Name removed]

44. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[democrank]

45. My wish for you and your family, medicswife....

~PEACE~

[Mother Of Four]

46. I am an Retired Army wife....

Medicswife...

My husband spent 22 years in the Army, and is now a civvie LEO. I'm an EMT-I.

When you say Love the warrior, Hate the war...I'm right there with you.

These men and women that give sacrifices every day, are literally giving their lives in a poignant way. I'm not speaking of the ultimate horror for us, but of the devotion and oaths they take.

I don't think a single one would invest the sacrifices if they knew they wouldn't be defending our country, but instead be sent as errand keepers for a government run by business.

One of our good friends, who came back from the area..his life is ruined. He has PTSD, he lost his wife, his career (LEO) and is having a difficult time coping day to day.

There is GREAT HONOR and PRIDE in serving a president that DESERVES to be served. One that will direct and lead our military the way it should be, to protect and DEFEND the USA. The ideals our men and women join for, are why people can feel free to write the filth that "one person" wrote in this thread.

However, I'll bet they didn't think of that a single time when they were writing. That the reason they can be FREE to be a jerk, is because of the very same people they are looking down at.

It is so important to make sure they are supported in any way possible. Medical, Equipment...Benefits.


Medicswife...
My heart, my support, my good thoughts go out to you and your family in this time of stress. As one who's hands have held hurt in them as well, it goes to your husband in a different but just as strong way.

From one wife to another, stay strong and keep the hearth fire burning. He'll be home soon.

[youthere]

48. Brava Mother of Four...

except now it's TWO jerks.
Beautifully written.

[1corona4u]

50. You know what....

Karma will get them, it always does. You don't say things like that and not have it come back to you in a bad way.

Just release it into the universe, and forget it. They will get theirs.

[youthere]

52. I wish karma worked at lightening speed.

[1corona4u]

58. They'll probably be too stupid to connect the dots back to this

incident when it does happen. They'll just blame it on someone/something else...as they always do.

[Mother Of Four]

51. I just read that next one...

I don't even know what to say to them, the self righteous fantasy world they are living in is beyond sanctimonious.

"Seriously disturbed and self centered" comes to mind.

If I write anything more, I think I'll end up at the gutter level with them.

[medicswife]

49. thanks.... n/t

[rasputin1952]

53. As a former Medical Plt Sgt, and knowing what you and your

husband are going through, I just have to say that some of the responses in this thread have been deplorable.

As a veteran, I know what servicemembers and their families go through; it is not an easy life, but it is an honorable and necessary one.

I do not support this war, I never have, but i will always support the men and women of this nation who have put on the uniforms of the services, and serve all of us, every day in many ways. They have sacrificed much, in both Peace and war, to guard the gates and man the ramparts. Many have died, not just in this war, but in all of our wars, to ensure that someone is watching, someone is there to keep the beasts at bay.

For all those who disparage those who serve, and especially if you are a member of the "101st Keyboard Brigade" and have never been there, I ask you to show some respect for those who are willing to make a sacrifice for this nation.

As for this war, I shall say this...while many of us voted to put in a congress that would end it, and push out of office a deluded president, not enough did. We, as Americans hold the ultimate responsibility to end this travesty. We, as Americans, must elect competent people that will get us out of this mess, and if we don't, we have no ones to blame but ourselves. We could have had more people at the polls voting to get more D's that would stop this, but we didn't. We need to get up off our duffs and make sure we do everything we can to change the course of events.

medicswife...I understand where you are coming from, I stand with you and your husband and your children. May they, and all of our servicemembers return home safe, sound and to a nation that realizes what sacrifices are often made. Take heart, there are those of us who have born the scars of service, and we know what you are going through.

:patriot:

[medicswife]

55. Rasputin, thank you. Your comments about we the people

being responsible is 100% correct. That was the original intent of my post to speak to the importance of the upcoming election, and the importance of electing someone who has the qualities that I believe are necessary to extracting us from the current situation.

[rasputin1952]

65. Thank you...it is odd that some did not pick that up...

Next time you talk to your husband...Tell him this old Medic is damn proud of him and his family, as i am of all of our brothers and sisters in the service, (but I have a special place in my heart for Medics...;) )

[medicswife]

67. That's because the medics are the ones that keep it all

together. :) They're like the "mom's" of the Army or something like that, lol. ;)

[Auntie Bush]

93. I'm ashamed of a couple of horrible comments posted here and I hope you don't tell

your husband what was said. That would be very discouraging...especially from a Dem site! That person was probably a Freeper trying to make Dems look bad and that they don't support the troops. I wouldn't put it past them.

[medicswife]

97. Oh, don't worry, I won't tell him. He'd just fly them the finger anyways. :)

[jillan]

54. medicswife - thank you for the heartfelt post.

I apologize that you have to listen to all of this nonsense!

What kind of people would judge you or your family?
ugh - I hope you are ignoring them, nobody needs people like that.

[medicswife]

56. It's ok. There are real life problems that take precedence

over the bologna that happens here. I just got a call from my Mother-in-Law. My husband's Great Grandmother was murdered this morning and I've been dealing with sending him a Red Cross message to notify him. That's not the kind of thing you tell someone in an email.

[jillan]

89. omg -

I am sending you the biggest hug....



I wish I could do more for you.

[medicswife]

94. Thanks my dear. Just keep doing what you do. You're one of my

favorite posters on this site.

[jillan]

108. and you are one of mine :)

[Evergreen Emerald]

57. With all due respect: You are suggesting that we would leave

troops in Iraq with no bullets / food / shelter / tanks / guns....that would simply not happen. And if it did--people should be hanged for it.

This is a right-wing talking point: that if we don't pass the budget the troops will suffer. No one NO ONE would leave the troops there without funding.


The troops would come home.

[alteredstate]

59. We might not be able to send more troops

but the troops already deployed would be screwed.

[medicswife]

60. Unfortunately what would happen is that

the DOD would start firing civilians and slashing the defense budget in ways to keep them there. My point is that as long as they are there, I want them as safe as possible. There is no shame in that.

[youthere]

61. you honestly believe that the right wing gives two shits..

if the troops have what they need? "You go to war with the army you have" right wing?

They would most certainly let the troops go without the equipment they needed because they are the ones who sent them there without it in the first place.
They would let them suffer, fight any effort to bring them home, and blame the left for "playing politics with the troops lives". We know they would because that is what they have been doing all along.

[rasputin1952]

73. I for one, don't give a damn about the RW...I want enough decent

honest people elected to get us out of this mess.

I guess could complain about it from now till doomsday, but I am too busy trying to DO something about it to squawk all that much.

Blaming the troops, or debasing the families of those that have family members in harms way, will in no form help them survive this debacle...only action by citizens will end this mess.

I want our servicemebers HOME, and I'm working my butt of trying to get that done. If we all work together, it will become a reality.

[youthere]

74. Amen to that...

I couldn't agree more.

[1corona4u]

62. No,, they wouldn't.

If you think Bush would have passed on the chance to shove this up the democrats ass, you are sadly mistaken. Had they not voted to fund, every life lost after that, would have been blamed on the democrats. If you think otherwise, I have some land for you......

[Evergreen Emerald]

63. he shoves everything up the democrats....*ss

I am so tired of the Democrats refusing to act for fear that they will be blamed for Bush's failures.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

110. Yeah, except this time more kids would die so that you could be right. nt

[gateley]

75. Biden once said "Bush would get the money from somewhere to keep the

war going" and I think he's probably right. This administration is already scrimping on the bullets/food/shelter/tanks/guns -- almost obsolete equipment. In theory I agree with "no more funding"; in reality, it doesn't work that way, and I applaud Biden's taking an unpopular stance in his heartfelt support of our troops. He calls it our "sacred obligation".

[mrreowwr_kittty]

109. Are you fucking kidding me?

They've ALREADY done it! Left troops in Iraq without supplies. There are reports of troops begging Iraqi civilians for FOOD! That's with funding. Remember, Rumsfeld told us we fight with the army we have, not the one we wish we had. Don't kid yourself, they have no compunction about leaving troops there with nothing. They have the power to do it and they will.

[cali]

64. Yay, mods! Thank you so much for cleaning this thread up

You're the best.

[youthere]

66. Three cheers for the mods.

[medicswife]

68. Where's the beer!? I had it earlier...is it all gone already? I propose a toast!

[cali]

69. a toast to

rasputin and the other mods, and to you, medicswife, and the safe return of your medic.

:toast:

[1corona4u]

71. I think I'll grab a Corona.

:-)

[medicswife]

72. I wish I had one! It's been a long night. n/t

[Mother Of Four]

70. WOOOOT! Go MODS!

:bounce::yourock::bounce:

[PatSeg]

86. My thanks as well!

Cleaned the place up right nice!

[mrreowwr_kittty]

77. Thank you for your post and your perspective. I agree completely.

It is the height of naivete to believe that cutting off funds will end the war. The Bush administration is batshit insane enough to strand those troops there with no equipment or supplies. There have already been reports of soldiers begging Iraqi civilians for food. These neocons are not amenable to any kind of reason and they never back down.

[medicswife]

81. You are correct. It's our responsibility to put people into office

who will take the right steps to rectify the debacle in Iraq. We have another chance coming up in less than a year. I'm so excited!

[gateley]

78. Thank you for your beautiful post. My heart bursts with love for you and

your husband, and other families who are being directly affected by this horrific war.

Please let your husband know how deeply grateful we are for what he is doing, and please know you are all always in our prayers.

:hug:

[medicswife]

82. thanks for the hug. :) I needed it to night. n/t

[AwakeAtLast]

80. Welcome, Mrs. Johnson

My husband is an Iraq War Veteran. He came home in June 2006 after an 18 month deployment. I know the exact feeling you described when you talked about "the knock" upthread. We military spoused are definitely tough as nails! Thanks for posting something so important. Here's to your husband and his unit's safe return! :patriot:

[medicswife]

84. Thanks, WakeMeUp! Yeah, that "knock" is scary, isn't it. n/t

[alteredstate]

88. It's the thing we fear the most

We have to get out of Iraq.

[AwakeAtLast]

95. I got something close to that - the call from my husband after a mortar attack.

You could hear the change in his voice. He basically missed getting his head blown off by about 6 ft. He was on a base when it happened. I will never forget where I was when I got that call.

Here's a :hug: and an offer to PM me anytime you need to!

[medicswife]

98. Thanks. Yeah, those ones are super scary too, aren't they.

[TwilightGardener]

83. I don't support defunding either. Too risky for many reasons.

[medicswife]

85. Wienie!!!!! Yes, it's way too risky! :) Glad to see you like always! n/t

[TwilightGardener]

87. Great post!

:hi:

[medicswife]

91. Thanks man. :)

[Frustratedlady]

90. Bless your husband, you and your children for the sacrifices you are making for us.

I have seen Senator Biden almost lose composure when speaking to the wife of a serviceman and I think most of us have the same compassion for you all. You can see it in his eyes when he speaks of our service personnel and those who are losing their support when they return. So much for "support our troops"!

My sil served in Saudi during the Gulf War and I'll never forget the tough times we went through worrying about his safety. That was for a few months. I can't imagine what you are going through. We can only hope that Biden can do what he plans and can end this stupid ego-feeding war.

[medicswife]

92. As long as he gets elected, he will! :)

[Orangepeel]

96. hi, medicswife

I hope that your husband comes home soon.

:hug:

[medicswife]

99. Me too! He is supposed to get R&R in March....then it's back to

Iraq until September of '08. Unless by some miracle they shorten the tour lengths back to 12 months...but I'm not counting on anything from this lousy administration.

[PatSeg]

100. This turned into an extraordinary thread

now that all the crap has been deleted.

This is an issue that should be discussed more often and more openly, something the administration chooses to avoid. There are so many stories that we just aren't hearing that need to be told.

[medicswife]

101. Yes, it is. And I know that there are a LOT of people in the

military that are being held past their contracts, and I just read another story on here the other day about a 57 year old man being called up from the Ready Reserve to be deployed.

[PatSeg]

102. Yeah, a woman at Biden's event yesterday said her

husband who is 57 was called back and there was an article on the homepage about a woman's uncle who is 50 has been called back as well. This is pure insanity!

[medicswife]

103. That's right. I got the two stories mixed up. Crazy. n/t

[PatSeg]

104. After the last seven years, I've learned not to be surprised by

anything. I could use a good dose of sanity!

[WheelWalker]

105. The grief my heart bears for your suffering is beyond words...

The faith and hope you hold for your beloved is a jewel upon the universe.

[medicswife]

106. I told someone the other day that with all of the energy

that I hold in my heart for him, you could probably power a nuclear submarine. :) It's very, very hard to be separated again, and it kills him to be away from his children, but he holds out hope that the American people will come together and elect an upstanding person to be his new Commander in Chief.

[WheelWalker]

107. Please let him know, if you can, the personal love so many of us here

have for him, his wife and his children. We are all blessed by your courage that invites us into your arms. Neither he, nor you, nor your family together, are ever alone. Blessed be.

[eridani]

111. And you honestly believe more war funding is the key to proper equipment?

The Iraq war is well on track to be costing more than WW II in constant dollars. It has already lasted longer. 70 years ago what we got for our money was rebuilding an entire mostly lost navy and building an air force from scratch. Now we get Halliburton doing laundry for your husband incompetently and at outrageous prices. The reason that the troops are not properly equipped isn't funding--it's because the Bushies don't give a flying fuck one way or another.