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DEL.ICIO.USOne Last Note From The Absurdity File
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A popular line of T-shirts at the Camp Stryker PX indirectly addresses the policy question of whether the U.S. military is stretched too thin by wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The T-shirts come in varieties that say my brother, sister, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, mother or father is “over there,� superimposed on a map of Iraq. The latest models say my grandma or grandpa is over there.
When we’re sending grandmothers and grandfathers to fight overseas the question about the military being overburdened seems pretty well answered.
Photo by Curtis Compton
Comments
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By Heidelberger88
July 19, 2005 11:40 AM | Link to this
Except when they volunteer to go: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4039701.stm
By regina
July 19, 2005 12:00 PM | Link to this
i would like to know who to contact about getting a t shirt with son on it. please let me know. thanks a caring mom
By Michael Castagna
July 19, 2005 01:02 PM | Link to this
No, the military is not overburned. After all there is no draft and with a all volunteer Army and the aftermath of 911 these brave men and woman are doing their job where ever the nation sends them. By the way here in Georgia you can be a grandparent at a young age of 38. By being a grandparent today, this does not mean you are old and not fit. I retired from the military at age 55 and still have some strength to give. God bless all the grandparents fighting to protect our freedom at home and overseas.
By Stephanie Jackels
July 19, 2005 01:53 PM | Link to this
This article is pushing the edge -
I know plenty of grandparents in their early 40’s - that is not too young to do an honorable job of defending your country by taking the fight to someplace else, not to mention helping people who have been oppressed learn how to be free.
Our government thinks we need at least 12 years of schooling before we are capable of living on our own, and we already have freedom to choose so much; why must people who have lived 40+ years under tyranny and oppression be expected to learn a life of freedom in 2 years????? They are just as young in freedom as our kindergardners.
These t-shirts are poking fun, but get real!!!!
By Dan Phelan
July 19, 2005 02:48 PM | Link to this
What’s absurd is to conclude or suggest that we are relying on gray-haired senior citizens to fight. Do you not realize how many US citizens we have “over there” at or above the age of say, 45, who are high-ranking officers, doctors, nurses, engineers, and specialists? Certainly many have young grandchildren back here supporting them. Also, troop numbers and deployment allocations are set by military strategists, not policy makers or idealogues. Just ask Gen. Abizaid (he’s only 54 by the way).
By cheryl gibson
July 20, 2005 03:22 AM | Link to this
I believe you are right! I have been married twice and not only is my first husband in Iraq so is my second. So, for my children I am the only parent available. Incidentally I have five children and one grandchild! Thanks for the wonderful job and service you are providing us with. Your reports allow me to keep up with my husband who is with the 48th. Also, did you also know that some of the soldiers now with the 48th were not originally with the 48th but assigned to them so they could go to Iraq?
By MajMike
July 20, 2005 09:24 AM | Link to this
Right off the top of my head, I can count at least five Grandfathers in their early or mid forties who were deployed with me. Most were mid to senior grade NCOs or Field Grades. So exactly what is supposed to be the problem??