The 48th goes to war

By wow

September 3, 2005 03:28 AM | Link to this

I’m so relieved to know that the poor soldiers on Striker have this brand new facility. We soldiers at the small FOB’s were wondering how they were ever going to make it with out one more luxury.

By S.

September 3, 2005 03:52 PM | Link to this

You know. Each and every solider is at a place where he or she has been sent. I do not know one soldier that PICKED where he or she is at. It is not any solider’s fault that you are where you are and they are where they are. It is terrible that any of you are in a war zone. Instead of wasting energy complaining maybe you should use that energy to pray about being in a better place. Prayer makes things happen.

By Ruth

September 5, 2005 09:54 PM | Link to this

To S. Do you know the meaning of the words low morale? The morale of the soldiers at Joe and Row has hit rock bottom. Where is your soldier? I’m betting it’s not at one of those two FOB’s. Maybe these soldiers just need to vent. I’m sure I don’t blame them. I’m sorry wow, I hope you’ll get rotated out of there soon.

By MARY

September 6, 2005 01:08 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry Ruth has such anger because soldiers like my son are stationed at Camp Stryker. My son is in as much danger as any other soldier in Iraq. I pray for all of you guys over there. I pray that you will come home sooner then you expected. Stay safe and well!!

Love to all of you…MOM

By S.

September 7, 2005 01:12 AM | Link to this

To Ruth-Yes I do know the meaning of low morale. My solider has been assigned a very dangerous mission. The FOB he is at—-well you have never seen the name in the news. Let me tell you another meaning of low morale. How about losing everything you have bacause your soldier has been deployed. How about having to sell your business and move in with friends just so you can feed your kids until your soldier comes home. Yes Ruth,I know the meaning of LOW MORALE. However, I do not blame you for my situation. It is just something that has happened because of someone else’s control in my life. I am sorry that you are full of anger. I pray that God will touch you and turn the anger into something positive. God has a plan for all of us and we can not control what happens in our lives. We can only pray and thank God for the blessing he has given us. I thank God everyday for the blessings in my life because I know for a fact that I could have it worse. Every soldier is a HERO and I pray that all of you stay safe and return home soon.

By A Proud Wife

September 7, 2005 08:01 AM | Link to this

To S., I find it tragic that you are unable to feed your children, but even more tragic that you think the Army is to blame for this, especially with BAS, BAH, Combat Pay, Hazardous Duty being paid out to our husbands twice a month.

There are numerous groups within the Armed Services who are available to help out if you’re having financial difficulties or experiencing otherwise low morale. I suggest you contact Army One Source or you FRG leader for a list of these resources, rather than taking out your anger on a blog message board, where no one can actually help you.

Good luck.

By A Proud Wife

September 7, 2005 08:06 AM | Link to this

And to Ruth…your situation is what you make of it…good, bad or indifferent. My husband isn’t far from yours and he and I have made the conscious decision that we will not let this deployment ruin his life or ruin my life.

We all have choices. You can sit around and gripe about what you don’t have, or you can be grateful for what you do have. In light of all of the devastation in recent days with the hurricane, I vote for the latter, as does my husband.

Being bitter and hateful towards other people and their perceived “privilege” does nothing but make the days go by even slower. It’s an unfortunate situation no matter how you spin it, but you can be miserable for a year or you can make the best of it.

By Michael Wife

September 7, 2005 10:05 AM | Link to this

To A Proud wife, you have made your answer to “S” about pay a little to simple. You don’t know what kind of money it might take for her or anyone else to run their household. If her husband ran a business or he was the business then yes, I can see how it folded on her. My husband is a professional business man and brings in a big paycheck in his normal life. The Army check he is bringing in is just a little over half of what were are used to. Please don’t talk about all of the “money” these men are making because for alot of families their money is far less than what it would normally be. I have a good job too so it makes up for it, however, that is not the case with many other families. Don’t downplay someones personal tragedy, if there is so much support to be had then no one would be in need right? Well, there are plenty of families with this deployment in need so don’t fool yourself. Ruth is being attacked for just being real. She has every right to voice her complaints at what her soldier is going through at Row. My husband is at Michael, and it is a hole. Joe and Row are worse than Michael and I have no issue with her bringing that up. I hope that someone will read or see and help change some things at these primitive bases. You don’t always have “choices” about how things fall in your life so don’t be so quick to jude others.

By Michelle

September 7, 2005 05:14 PM | Link to this

Hey all. The discussion about some soldiers having it worse than others seems to be a continuing topic on these boards. The first time I ever posted on a blog in my life was a couple weeks ago on these pages and the hostility really hurts. I guess the thing for me is that I’m from a long time military family. Since WWI my family has had someone in every conflict the US has been in. The stories I have heard over my lifetime about what the military does to and expects of it’s enlisted are sometimes insane. Like you just can’t believe it. That Taji article really got everyone going like crazy and I understand too well why that was so horrible for some of the people. I remember getting angry too, being told I don’t understand because the man I know isn’t CURRENTLY in the worst FOB. I mean, I couldn’t even believe that I was being told to be quiet because I don’t know- considering what I actually DO know. I wasn’t going to list why my soldier has had it just as bad to gain credibility for my opinion. I thought everyone involved with the military knew to expect this stuff. Even in peace time it’s a dangerous job. Now, expecting and accepting are two different things. Do I think we should all sit back and let our men and women be forgotten, or continue to have to live in such conditions? My God NO!! Do some soldiers currently have it better than others? I believe wholeheartedly that is true. We all know how the government is, you have to yell and scream your head off for someone to hear you. We need the people who yell and scream for us. I am grateful for them. We all should be, even those who don’t agree. And in these situations, the longer it takes, the worse things are for some of the soldiers. Makes me sick.

But EVERYONE will you PLEASE stop telling people they don’t understand? You don’t know that. That’s actually very mean. Just because they’re not going to list every insanely terrible thing their soldier has gone through doesn’t mean they don’t understand. And don’t forget, there is a mentality that goes with some military people which is, accept your mission and shut up. I personally am not that way, but from that point of view all these things that bother the rest of us is “just a part of war.” Can’t fault those people for that anymore than you can fault the people who are upset at this awful treatment. I tried to say it before, badly, and I will try to say it better this time- No one on these boards should be arguing about who’s soldier has it worse. I suspect that unless this is your first minute with the military, we all know what’s wrong. We should all be in the business of expecting the best for all of our people overseas- Because we are Americans! And for some of us, we need to effect those changes. We can’t be quiet about it. And it seems that some of us prefer not to talk about those things. However you feel, you’re all right, so please stop telling eachother who really understands what. Because I know for a fact that as deplorable as everything is, it isn’t unique. My boy was in country 4/03. You know what it was like then. He went through everything you’re talking about and more things that haven’t been mentioned yet. He’s on his second deployment. He was supposed to ETS already and can’t leave. That doesn’t make my opinion any more important than anyone else’s, or make me understand anything any less. I feel like we’re all in this together and we should be trying to help the ones who need it. I have been involved in some email, phone call and letter writing rings in the last few years and sometimes they are very effective in making huge differences for individual situations. Sometimes all you need is one or two more names to make an issue worth the politician’s and the public’s time. If anyone needs me, let me know. I’ll add my name and my time to your efforts. Also, sometimes, unfortunately, it has been the experience of the groups I have been involved with that they listen less to family members and more to “outraged citizens.” Which is, in itself, SICK. But let’s fight fire with fire. Bless all of us. Prayers to all. And love to all. Michelle

By S.

September 7, 2005 10:20 PM | Link to this

To A Proud Wife—Let me see—I believe that I wrote that I do not blame Ruth for my situation—NOR do I blame the Army. As I said it is just something that has happened. God has a plan. What is that plan? I have no idea but it will make me and my family stronger. There will be good that comes from it.(Guess you missed reading that part) I have contacted several agencies, thank you, and yes they are helping. The pay my soldier gets now is nothing like what we had. I re-read my blog and I do not see any anger in it. I have only answered what I was asked. If you take that as anger then so be it. When I do get angry—I pray. It is amazing what good God can turn that anger into. I pray that God keeps his hands upon all of us and brings us through this better people.

By Ruth

September 7, 2005 11:31 PM | Link to this

Thanks Michael Wife for your kind words. To the others, you don’t get it, won’t get it, never will get it. I am not angry at your soldier for having it better than mine but I want my soldier’s situation to be better than it is right now. My anger was not directed at your soldier S or Mary, but S although you told WOW to pray for a change, the way you said it to him, telling him not to waste his time complaining was probably taken as an insult if he read it. And A Proud Wife, I don’t believe that any of my comments can be perceived as hateful. You don’t know me but let me tell you something….I lost an adult son many years ago. I know what pain is and I know what it’s like to have to pick yourself up and keep going. I know what it’s like to make a conscious decision to keep going instead of sinking into depression. I want better conditions for the soldiers at Joe, Row and Michael and whatever other bases might be as primitive as they are. If that is being hateful and bitter then ok, that’s what I am. If you all actually have the concern that you say you have, you would stand in solidarity with Michael wife, myself and all the others who complain about the conditions at the small FOBs instead of always telling us how wrong we are to complain.

By MARY

September 8, 2005 02:03 PM | Link to this

I don’t want to tell someone how bad they have it or how bad another doesn’t have it…all I was saying was don’t judge others. Don’t say my soldier at FOB Michael has it worse then your soldier at Stryker. That is comparing and there is no comparing in this situation. I pray for all the soldiers…I send my prayers to all the families and soldiers. This is a time for all of us to bond and cling together…not through angry words.

Take care all and God Bless!! MOM

By S.

September 8, 2005 09:32 PM | Link to this

Michelle, Actually-this is my first “minute” in the military. My boyfriend was called to active duty in Jan. when he started training. We were married in Feb. and then he deployed in May. So, to tell you the truth I do not understand everything that is going on. I have no idea how any soldier gets placed where he does or why. I have no real idea how the military works—I have never been exposed to it until now. I do think that all the soliders should have the same treatment. But, that does not seem to be reality. I was told not to complain to loudly or your soldier would be punished for it. I do support every effort to improve things for the troops. This war has touched my life and my children’s lives in terrible ways. But, at the same time it has touched our lives in some amazing ways. I pray everyday that all this will be over soon and that God gives me the strength to make the best out of it all.

By My Opinion

September 8, 2005 10:05 PM | Link to this

Ruth wrote “If you all actually have the concern that you say you have, you would stand in solidarity with Michael wife, myself and all the others who complain about the conditions at the small FOBs instead of always telling us how wrong we are to complain.”

Why would you doubt for even one minute any one of us doesn’t care? You aren’t wrong to complain but you should - no must - complain in the right direction - to the power structure. We can complain on here all day everyday but until those who have the most direct complaint contact the powerful - backed up the rest of us - ain’t nothing gonna get done.

Ruth is right - solidarity. Have any of these wives and/or mothers written or e-mailed the governor, congress-person, president? I have - but I am only one voice and have been ignored.

Like Michelle said - petitions are the way to get it done. Unless you have the time and resources to have banners made, take off time from work, travel and march.

Bear in mind - my soldier depends on your soldier and your soldier depends on my soldier and they depend on other soldiers to stay as safe as possible, accomplish the mission, pack up and come home.

Write to your congressmen/women, governor, president

Get started complaining as a group to those who can change things.

In order to get the attention of the powerful it will take one loud voice of many individual voices.

God bless our military and keep them safe - especially those in harms way - and hurry their return home. Bless their families.

By jcc

September 8, 2005 11:52 PM | Link to this

While I don’t disagree that some soldiers have it better than others, it seems as though many are forgetting one thing. These soldiers made a conscience CHOICE to join the military. No one forced them into the service. These men and women either felt the call to serve their country or they gambled (for benefits) & lost. Each and every one of them knows the risk they are taking when they sign on the dotted line. There is always a chance they may be called to war. In my husband’s case, he joined the military b/c of a belief that as an American, it was his responsibility to serve his country. Yes, our soldiers are existing in poor and unacceptible conditions. My husband is at Camp Liberty, so I’m sure some will say I don’t understand or I don’t get it. I get it. This is not our first deployment. He has lived in the worst of conditions before. It doesn’t change anything in his eyes. He loves his country..and if it means living in “hole” while he completes his mission, so be it. I know we don’t like it, but this is the ARMY way of life and as my husband would say: the life of an infantryman. I would venture to say that ALL of our men have it much better than any soldier who served in Vietnam. Those soldiers did not have the ability to call home, read blog reports, surf the web, or read hometown news reports online. Today my husband calls Camp Liberty home. Tomorrow it may be a FOB. Either way, I am thankful for each and every day that he returns to camp safe and sound.

By Tammy Saperstein

September 9, 2005 09:12 AM | Link to this

Ruth — You are causing dissension, and wreaking havoc all over the place. There are reasons they don’t have the chow halls the others do- IED’s. You can’t have it both ways,sister! If there are convoys constantly taking fresh food to the fob’s we are going to have more dead soldiers! This is not my opinion- it is a fact! Straight from the mouth of a soldier! Our soldiers are not at summer camp. They are fighting a war. You are only helping the enemy! Do something positive for our soldiers if you really care. The mail trucks run to the FOB’s. Send some food, if you really care. I think you just like to run your mouth. I have two soldiers over there- one is in a FOB. I mail out food every week to him. Please stop this dissension you are spreading, it eats me up, and others too. You are not doing good here. … Wife and Mother of soldiers in Iraq

By Michael Wife

September 9, 2005 09:29 AM | Link to this

To JCC, obviously you are not informed of the conditions at Row and Joe. They are living much like Vietnam. They have no running water, no latrine as they must go to the bathroom like an animal. There are no comuputers and a phone that might work on occasion. It is not the first deployment for many of these guys either. For all of you that talk about writing the government, how about many of us have been doing that since the 48th was at Ft. Stewart living in deplorable conditions there. Have you seen any changes?? I haven’t. We have also been to news reporters, had many friends and organizations write to members of congress. I have seen nothing, if someone has please let me know. It has all fallen on deaf ears, we have not even as much received one response from anyone, other than an auto response that they send to everyone. Yes, these soldiers did join the Army and my husband did it because of his belief in his country. However, there should NOT be such a difference in these bases, that is flat out wrong. The proximity from one to the other is just not far enough where they should have to live like this. My husband is at Michael which is bad, but he has many friends at Row and Joe that have it worse. I am not offended by someone saying they have it worse. I want things to change for these bases now and in the future so when the rotation happens others won’t have to go through the same thing. The family members are frustrated because the doors are shut in their faces. Why is that so hard to understand???

By Ruth

September 9, 2005 09:50 AM | Link to this

jcc, my husband is a Vietnam veteran. While it’s true our troops enjoy better communication in the Iraq war than in Vietnam some things are better and some are worse according to him. The small operating bases like Joe and Row and others with no amenities are similar to conditions he endured, but he says that when he was on patrol in Vietnam they could always count on tremendous fire power to back them up if need be. Our soldiers are patrolling in humvees and it seems to him they are on their own, knowing the odds of encountering an ied are pretty high and there is nothing that can be done about that. They can’t call in air support to get them out of a situation. Something that is similar to his Vietnam experience is the practice of searching an area, ridding it of insurgents then not providing security to keep it that way so it becomes a vicious cycle of doing the same thing over and over. That’s a Vietnam combat infantry soldier’s views on comparing the two wars.

By Ruth

September 9, 2005 06:06 PM | Link to this

To Tammy, I almost decided not to dignify your comment about me with a reply but the things you said about me are pretty vicious, a personal attack actually. I am surprised that the AJC printed them. I would like for you to explain to me how I am helping the enemy. It is an insult for you to say that to me or anyone else. I hope that you read my earlier comment and you will see that I have already lost one child. I fear for the one I have left and you don’t need to remind me that he is in a war. I don’t think it’s aiding and abetting the enemy for me to want better conditions for him and the other soldiers. I won’t use the sarcasm that you did but you should be ashamed of yourself. You could have said anything else negative about me, but to accuse me of helping the enemy went too far. I am serious in wanting an explanation of how I am helping the enemy. I refuse to let my anger get the best of me in this comment.

By Marie

September 9, 2005 08:08 PM | Link to this

Ruth and Cronies… We that are actually DOING something to make the lives of the soldiers better are darn sick and tired of listening to you harp on and on…Tammy is exactly RIGHT. There are reasons for somethings and perhaps you just do not UNDERSTAND what they might be. Do you think the commanders at these FOB’s just do not care about their soldiers? Be real. I am so tired of the Ruth and Co Show here. I come on here to get news about my and our soldiers…and I constantly see your comments. It is getting way old. There are plenty of organizations out there to help our soldiers. Can you tell me which one you belong to since this is supposedly so near and dear to your heart? I think perhaps it is a bit narcissitic and you just like to see your words in print. And jfyi…my soldier was at a FOB for 1 and 1/2 years…so do not even go there. Quit your belly aching and do something. It is behavior unbecoming a soldiers wife.

By Marie

September 9, 2005 08:29 PM | Link to this

One last comment Ruth….did you ever consider that perhaps it is YOU who does not get it? Now if you are really looking to effect change look to yourself instead of looking outside of yourself at everyone else to do something for you. Get off the internet and DO IT YOURSELF. One person can make a HUGE difference if they are committed. Take all of your negativity and channel it to something positive and you would be amazed what could be done.

By Marie

September 9, 2005 08:31 PM | Link to this

To All of Our Soldiers, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU. WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH !!!! You are the BEST the world has to offer. And how very IMPRESSIVE you are. THANK YOU

By Marie

September 9, 2005 11:22 PM | Link to this

Ruth… You have already let anger get the best of you….Tammy’s comment could not change that. I am truly and sincerely sorry for your loss but Tammy makes a valid point. It is about morale. You undermine the morale of our soldiers when you harp on and on about how nobody cares…do something to show you care if you want to make a difference. Quit acting like it is us against you and join us. We care and are doing everything we can to make a difference…we saw it with Hurricane Katrina…it is each individual person who steps up to the plate and says I will do something personally to make this better that makes a difference. It takes a village to raise a child and it takes a country person by person to make a difference in our soldiers lives. Make a difference PERSONALLY Ruth. Do what YOU can and quit worrying about everyone else. And since I am here … SAMMY….I love you baby. I am SO PROUD of you. You are my world. Stay safe and strong and THANK YOU for being MY PERSONAL HERO !!!!! I love you.

By Lynn Smith

September 9, 2005 11:49 PM | Link to this

To Tammy Saperstein,please go back and re-read all of Ruth’s comments. I defy you to find any comments more eloquently written. Ruth has expressed her concerns about the FOB conditions as fairly and calmly as anyone possibly could. She has never,even remotely,come close to the lines of dissention;if anyone takes her comments as such,then I have to wonder about that person’s heart,mind,or conscience. Wreaking havoc? I beg to differ. She has stated over and over again that she doesn’t begrudge anything that any other soldier has,that she is indeed grateful for that. She only wants the conditions for her soldier to be better and I whole heartedly agree with her as I have two soldiers at two of the FOBs myself. Tammy, how dare you accuse her of helping the enemy, and what sarcastic anger it took to think you needed to remind her that our soldiers are fighting a war. Those two insults are especially hateful as her soldier is out there everyday on the frontline doing patrols,security,and missions for endless hours at a time without sufficient sleep and many times missing meals. I know this to be the truth because one of my soldiers is out there with her’s. My other soldier reports much of the same. Finally Tammy, Ruth really,really doesn’t need you to tell her to send food via mail. I assure you, that that has been done and done and done and done and done… P.S. Tammy,did it ever occur to you that if it’s too dangerous to get food to our troops in a timely manner,in this day and age, that SOMETHING needs to change? Ruth is an advocate for that change,plain and simple.

By Ruth

September 10, 2005 12:21 AM | Link to this

Oh excuse me, I didn’t know the right to free speech didn’t extend to opinions that differ from yours Marie. I guess I will just stop and let this become the Marie and Co. Show.

By LynnSmith

September 10, 2005 12:55 AM | Link to this

To jcc,I would like to have to say this only one time.Thank goodness there are men like my two soldiers and yours who believe in doing what their country asks of them. Thank God for all of the volunteers that actually do the business of the military. I respect them and honor them(most of them anyway). My soldiers,by the way,did not join for the benefits and knew all too well the chance that they would be called to a war. They were raised by a Vietnam veteran, my husband,their father. My soldiers will do their jobs in an exemplary manner regardless of their circumstances or living conditions because that’s the kind of soldiers they are.They will do everything and more that is asked of them and will not complain; however, I have asked them for the truth and they have told some of it to me because that,too,tells of the kind of people they are.I say all this to make the point:when my soldiers joined the military, they had the right to believe in a certain trust. That trust is that your commander-in-chief will never put you in harm’s way unless it is absolutely, positivly, necessary;no other way out, a last resort. They also had the right to believe that their military would do all that is necessary to take care of them and provide for them in the best possible way in order that they might do the jobs set before them. Most of all they had the right to believe that the military in which they serve does not believe them to be expendible. This trust and these beliefs have been broken!!! Oh,jcc, this is not our first rodeo.

By Marie

September 10, 2005 07:02 PM | Link to this

Lynn Smith…. Sorry but I MISSED the eloquence in Ruth’s comments and go back and read them again? No thanks. Once was more than enough…if Ruth is an advocate for change I would really like to hear how she is doing that? WHAT EXACTLY IS SHE DOING THAT IS POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE? Telling all of us what we already know???? I DEFY you to tell me how being nasty and attacking people like S that have lost everything and the other numerous people here that she has planted her teeth in, will somehow effect change. So many people are afraid of her wrath I think that they just give up and quit commenting…well I am not afraid of anything you or anyone might say. I will not be silenced by your emotional blackmail. HOW DARE you act like because we have different opinions that we somehow care less or do not get it. You know nothing about who we are or what we know. It seems to me that Tammy just got tired of the constant barrage of nastiness that Ruth spews…I feel her pain. If you want to stick by the misguided notion that you are making any difference here then great…but don’t expect the rest of us to swallow it. I for one do not. And Lynn what sarcastic anger it took for you to try and tell Tammy what she already knows to be the case at the FOB’s. You are not the keeper of the knowledge of the FOB’s trust me on this. Finally to Ruth….whoever said you had no right to comment here?…I just said I was personally tired of hearing your harping…still I recognize your right to do so however tediously annoying I find it…..you who says you are suprised that AJC printed Tammys comments…the HYPOCRISY is so blatant as to be almost funny. Apparently the right to free speech is only to be extended to those that do not disagree with you…really……I do not think you realize how you sound to some of us. Even when I agree with what you say the way you say it is so offensive as to negate any positive effect it might have. So many times it is not WHAT you say, it is HOW you say it. I can tell you EXACTLY what you can do to make some real change but I am afraid that would involve more than blowing off a bunch of steam and frightening and attacking people whose loved ones are soldiers just like yours. I am truly sorry for the nastiness that I am putting forth here, it is not in my nature to be nasty but sometimes as someone else stated you have to fight fire with fire. Now to all the soldiers over there that might read this I just want to say that as much as we here do not agree on somethings there is one thing that we all agree on and that is that we love you respect you admire you and want you home safely and soon.

By Lynn Smith

September 11, 2005 01:44 AM | Link to this

Marie, your sarcasm to Ruth is past being uncalled-for. If you don’t want to read her comments, then don’t, just skip right over them. How do you know she isn’t working in every way she knows how to improve the lives of our soldiers? Your ugly, hateful statements only show the true you. You have no call to so viciously attack her when she has done nothing but state the facts and desire change for the better for all of our deserving loved ones in the 48th. The us against you mentality has been conjured up by YOU and people like you-not Ruth.

By S.

September 11, 2005 07:40 PM | Link to this

I am shocked at the comments that I read today. I have been out of town getting my children in their new school so I can pack up things and be moved this week. I am new at this military life and I do not understand how it all works. But, what I would like to know is why does it seems that everyone is attacking each other? When I re-read all the comments I can see the devil working his evil. This is a time that people need to pull together and support, not only our troops, but each other. For me—I am going through a very tough time. But, you know, I could have it so much worse. Yes, my soldier is haveing it very rough. But, he could have it worse too. I hope that all of us will stop and thank God for the good in our lives. I hope all of us will pray all the time and get close to God. He seems to be sending us wake up calls—I hope we answer in time. RUTH, thank you for letting me know that your anger was not directed to the soldiers. And, the way that I wrote to WOW— about praying-he might have taken it the wrong way—I hope not. It was not intended as an insult. I pray that God will keep his hand upon our brave soldiers and bring them home safe and my we bless God.

By Ruth

September 12, 2005 10:06 AM | Link to this

Marie, I think you must have me mixed up with some other commenter. I will admit that perhaps my comment to S could have been worded in a better way but at the time I was upset because she responded to a comment from a soldier who was upset and being sarcastic …but even she now seems to understand where I was coming from ( and S I appreciated your words and I know that you were also upset when you made your comment. I hope things get better in your life.) Marie, unfortunately it is you who have spewed forth the nastiness that you accuse me of. When you use all capital letters in your words and bold text them it equals yelling and screaming. I read and re-read every comment I ever make before posting it and I know without a doubt that each time I complained of the soldiers at Joe and Row needing basic necessities I always said I was glad that soldiers at the other bases have what they need and that my comments weren’t about what the other soldiers had but what our soldiers didn’t have. I have never attacked anyone and my comments weren’t nasty although I have responded to nasty comments. I feel sorry for you Marie, because obviously you have some issues that are bothering you and you are using this blog and me as an outlet for them. There are many other commenters who have been saying the same thing about Joe and Row for the past two months, why suddenly am I the recipiant of your anger? Marie, do you have a soldier with the 48th or is he with another brigade? I notice that you said he had been in an FOB for 1 1/2 years, the 48th only went in country about 3 months ago and will only deploy for a year, Desert Storm didn’t last that long either, I am just curious, some went to Bosnia a few years ago but they were only there 6 months I hope the AJC will close the commenting on this article soon.

By Enough Already

September 12, 2005 02:53 PM | Link to this

Blah, Blah, Blah, this whole topic has gotten so ridiculous. It is one big cat fight and is embarrassing to all. Does anyone actually remember what the topic was?? Well, it was on a new PX which I am glad was put up. Hopefully when the guys rotate, they will be able to use it. Just let it go and move on already, the rest of us are bored with your back and forth games.