..30 Oregon Guard soldiers headed for Iraq (replace "dead and wounded")

[Nambe]

Associated Press

Another 30 Oregon National Guard soldiers are being mobilized for duty in Iraq this week, replacing soldiers who have been killed or injured, a spokeswoman said Monday.

The 30 soldiers will join 700 troops from the Guard's 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry who have been in Iraq since April.

The battalion has been hit hard in Iraq, where five of its soldiers have been killed in action. Three died in a June 4 ambush that was the worst single loss for the Oregon National Guard since World War II.

Another 29 soldiers in the battalion have been injured, said Guard spokeswoman Kay Fristad. Some of those soldiers have returned to duty. Others are being treated for their wounds statewide and overseas. ..

In a letter to the Defense Department, Gov. Kulongoski said the lengthening of National Guard deployment "is evidence that our nation's military is facing a significant staffing issue that must be addressed." ..

[gratuitous]

1. Hang on, little tomatoes!

They just have to put off starting the draft for another 10 weeks. Sure, the folks in Iraq right now are stretched to the point of snapping horribly, but if they can hold on for another 10 weeks, the draft can safely start up again, and we'll have millions of young bodies to start shipping over there.

[LauraK]

2. A draft would cause revolt. That's why Dems have asked for it.

Anti-war music festivals, marches, riots, and veterans against the war...again.

[classof56]

3. Damn Bush and the bike he fell off!

Last week I talked with a former co-worker I hadn't seen in awhile. His daughter and two grandkids had left their home to live near her folks because her husband (ONG) is headed for Iraq. I felt sick, but only wished all of them well. I fear there will soon be more funerals for Gov. Kulongoski to attend--I admire and respect him more than I can say for doing that, but am also overwhelmed by sadness that this is so. Words fail me right now. All I know is...

Bush MUST GO!!