A U. S. serviceman wrote this letter and it was e-mailed to me? What do you all think?

This should get our attention! It is verified by Snopes, See below. The
writer
is from Egan, MN


"I'm Tired"
BY: Joe Repya, Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army
101st Airborne Division

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 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.

I'm tired of a mainstream media that can only focus on car bombs and
casualty reports because they are too afraid to leave the safety of
their hotels to report on the courage and success our brave men and
women are having on the battlefield.

I'm tired that so many Americans think you can rebuild a dictatorship
into a democracy overnight.

I'm tired that so many ignore the bravery of the Iraqi people to go to

the voting booth and freely elect a Constitution and soon a permanent
Parliament.

I'm tired of the so called 'Elite Left' that prolongs this war by
giving

aid and comfort to our enemy, just as they did during the Vietnam War.


I'm tired of antiwar protesters showing up at the funerals of our
fallen
soldiers, a family whose loved ones gave their life in a just and
noble
cause, only to be cruelly
tormented on the funeral day by cowardly protesters is beyond
shameful.

I'm tired that my generation, the Baby Boom -- Vietnam generation, who
have such a weak backbone that they can't stomach seeing the difficult
tasks through to victory.

I'm tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of captives

than they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.

I'm tired that when we find mass graves it is seldom reported by the
press, but mistreat a prisoner and it is front-page news.

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

Lord, please bless our military
Wherever they are called to go
They have no vote you know
Bless them Lord, when they seek sancutary.

Lord, we at home owe them honor and thanks
Whether we see the cause as ill or right
Lord, guard our heroes with your might
Be they foot soldiers, or higher in the ranks

Lord, it is US they defend
Let us not complain of the dollars we must spend
They attacked our towers
Our cause is just, Lord, invoke your powers

We at home in our easy chair
Have no idea of the danger and the snares
They face each and every day
Lord, if one must fall, hold that soul in your care

"To the victor belong the spoils"
Lord, you ,understand sacrifice
Return them safely to our soil
Lord, bless our soldiers, who ask not, "what price".


lifeonloan
july 2007

I think you posted this in the wrong place.

TBH, I'm tired of reading propogandistic bullshit used to support senseless, idiotic military adventures around the globe when we have real problems at home. I don't care who the author is.

I didn't know a 59-year old would be in the Army Airborne Division. Or that Army personnel are allowed to publicly criticize our gov't. Maybe I'm wrong but I am a veteran and I didn't know that.

I feel every word he says. thanks for sharing.

The Lieutenant Colonel is right on!

It's beautiful, and it's sad that any of our troops would feel the need to write something like this - we should have more respect and care for our troops, we should support them 100% in every task we put to them; they give us nothing less then 100%, after all.
I say we give them everything they need to finish what was started, so when they do come home, they don't ever have to go back in!

so, there are neocons in the military, too...i guess they didn't ALL take the chicken hawk route like their beloved fuhrer and his loyal bushie henchmen...

it's the same thing i hear from members of the Navy and marines constantly. i live in a military town and they are a constant reminder.

It was his duty to protect the Constitution of the United states. WHen the President who under the constitution is required to tell congress the state of the union. LIED an purposely deceived congress. HE lied to the american people. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A DEMOCRACY> and that Colonel is supposed to be defending US from dictators WHO LIE TO THE PEOPLE>
JOE YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF you were supposed to defend the american people and our constititution that protects our freedom. Instead you defend a LIE and a LIAR> our freedoms at home and our liberty is now weaker. Shame on you.

It seems the authencity of the writer is in question. I personally do not care who wrote this. IT SPEAKS VOLUMES AND IT ECHOS MY VOICE. American politics and politicians are corrupt. But this is my HOME. I would defend it at my border or at my door.

I tip my hat to all USofA servicemen and women who must leave home in order to do so. It is never their choice whether to go to war or seek peace. I am sure there must be many who do not agree, but yet they go.

I remember the Vietnam Veterans being sent to battle with NO BULLETS.........then they came home and were called "baby killers"

Whatever your politics...you and I owe our servicemen much more respect than that.