Not All Reservists Going Willingly To Iraq, Afghanistan

[Kadie]

Not All Reservists Going Willingly To Iraq, Afghanistan

POSTED: 6:58 am EDT August 13, 2004

WASHINGTON -- At the end of the month, the first members of the Army's Individual Ready Reserve to be called up involuntarily since the Gulf War report for duty.

About 3,800 have received their orders for duty in Iraq and Afghanistan so far. Associated Press Radio has learned approximately 350 reservists have filed appeals.

snip...
Jon from Illinois is appealing his deployment. His wife is serving in Iraq right now and he doesn't know what to do with the kids. Jon is a Gulf War vet who thought the IRR was a "safe haven" where members were only called up as a last resort. He said, "to me, Iraq is not a last resort situation."

little bit more at....
http://www.thekcrachannel.com/news/3650979/detail.html

[demnan]

1. There's no way

both parents of children should be sent to this war.

[mermaid]

2. I Agree...But Do You Think BUSH Gives A Shit??

Family values, my ass!!

[MaryH]

3. On CBS last nite

their honored war hero killed in battle was a 50 year old man who was called up. He died of a heart attack. Was a father and husband and much loved person.

I'm sorry, but a 50 year old man doesn't belong out running around in 130 degree heat.

Doesn't this seem just a little nuts?

[Spinzonner]

4. Oh, I can think of ONE over-50 year old

who's ass should be over there ...

[funkybutt]

12. i saw that too!

and it made me think about health care for vets. had this man had any testing by a cardiologist? I doubt it...probably could have been avoided with a simple stress test before he shipped out.

[TeeYiYi]

20. I saw that . . .

. . . it was incredibly sad. Thank you for posting.

I wonder where they draw the line. I've heard of men almost (if not) 70 years old that have been called. I think anyone over the age of 40 is at risk for a heart attack.

TYY:grr:

[trogdor]

5. For one thing...

...not having a family care plan makes you non-deployable. You can't stay in the Army in the first place without filing one. Why would they call someone in the IRR who probably got out for precisely this reason?

[jgardner]

6. My husband

served his 8 years, went to Bosnia, and then signed on for the National Guard when his time was up. After it became more and more clear that this war is UNJUST and WRONG, he got out. Since he had time left, his only option was to be put into the IRR, where he will stay until 2008. He's already decided that he will not serve if called. We're hoping that the Bush legacy will END in November; we'll feel a little but safer then.

[lostnfound]

8. Good luck. So disgusted that National Guard has been sent

We need them HERE 'protecting the homeland'.
I wonder what the heck will happen in Florida after the hurricane..usually the National Guard would have been out in force, right?

[Kolesar]

9. Good luck to you and your husband

I don't know what else to say.

[mom cat]

10. Your husband has already done more for this country than all the

chicken hawks in Washington combined. They have made a mess of this whole thing. Welcome to DU. If you need any help or info, feel free to ask. This is a very knowledgeable group with a lot of seasoned experts in many fields. I am sure that you can find help here. Good luck to you and your husband. :hug:

[trogdor]

11. Well, I RETIRED, thank God!

Got my 20-year letter in April, ran down to the Reserve center the next day to file my paperwork. Although I had planned to retire right away all along, the way Bush is pretending to fight the Global War On Terrorism while going after old Bush family enemies gave me a much-enhanced sense of urgency.

Until Congress declares "full mobilization" (fat chance), I'm immune from the IRR callups.

[rocktivity]

14. That's what YOU think, Why

Retired Lexington Army col. recalled to combat suicide rate in Iraq

:headbang:
rocknation

[trogdor]

19. Well...maybe not.

Army spokeswoman Andrea Wales said the retired colonel is subject to recall because he is an officer. There is no age limit for officers to serve, she said.

Why
Staff Sergeant (Retired (and hope to stay that way)), USAR

[MichiganVote]

15. Welcome jgardner, you are in our thoughts

[ilovenicepeople]

16. WELCOME TO CANADA

get packing

[BeHereNow]

18. Welcome to DU!

Your husband is a very brave man.
We need more like him with the courage
to say NO to the misuse and abuse of our
military forces by these power mad war mongers.
BHN

[Mari333]

7. No kidding..something I knew a long time ago....NOW it makes the news n/t

[rocktivity]

13. Runner-up for this month's LBN "You Call This NEWS?" award

nearly ten percent have filed appeals? THAT'S impressive.


rocknation

[steely]

17. Poor Jon is a dope.

Staying in the IRR and thinking it was a "safe haven" was a very short-sighted and ill-thought out plan if you ask me.

His wife is away and he has kids, yet he neglects to tell anyone that he can't be mobilized?? That would have been priority number one in my book were I in the same situation - it is the armed forces after all.