What direct impact has the war in Iraq had on your life?

[getoffmytrain]

This is my first post ever... but I've lurked off and on for a about a year. Anyway... I've always been curious as to what direct impact this war has had on the life of DUers. I have a brother in the 1st Armored Division who was wounded twice (shot once in the arm, another time took shrapnel in his knee) in 2003 (back in Germany now). So the war has really hit home for my family and been A HUGE issue for a long time with us it seems like now. What has your experience been?

[Longhorn]

1. Welcome to DU!

My son is a Marine stationed in Japan. While he is currently safe, there is that undercurrent of danger, knowing he could be sent to Iraq at any time. Also, his best friend is on his second tour there and he has lost another buddy who was in his platoon at boot camp. What hurts him hurts me.

I'm sorry for your brother's injuries. Please thank him for his service and tell him that we are proud of him and wish him a swift recovery and safe trip home!

[murielm99]

2. I am a teacher, and I have lived in the same community for

26 years.

I seen a generation of children grow to adulthood in my community.

Four of them are in Iraq right now.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. I sent my hubby to war

He was on patrol (US Sub) on 9.11, first unit in area to sanitize

Then I sent him on a second war patrol for the fun and games (not really) in Iraq, they emptied their room

We also adopted some kids from the 1st ID, we sent them care packates, and I worried about them... still worry about them

Take care, I know it is hard to say the least

[xray s]

4. I know two young men over there

One is in an Army Psych Ops unit, the other is Fifth Marines, Second Battalion, on his second tour in Iraq.

I have an eighteen year old son who got his draft card this week.

[medeak]

5. welcome and don't lurk any longer

For me...it's nearly broken up my marriage...have spent several nights in a hotel in the last two years.

Also young man I know was first one over the border...he's home now but being recalled back. He's only child and his Dad has cancer...we're hoping that will keep him home. He doesn't believe in this war.

[getoffmytrain]

6. Thanks!

[JVS]

7. A guy a year younger than me from church got killed

Our families are friends, I hadn't seen much of him since he went to college, but we grew up together. He would have been coming home a couple weeks ago but got killed in mid August.

Another friend (was my best friend in pre-school) was in Iraq with the 101st airborne. His mom teaches kindergarten and in June he surprised her by coming into the classroom when he got back from Iraq.

[BamaGirl]

8. My husband

recently got home from a two year deployment (Guard). We expect another in the not so distant future.

Hope your brother is doing well.

~~BamaGirl

[Knurled99]

9. My little bro

goes December 1'st(Marines) and I will end up in the gulf eventually. (Navy.)

[cliss]

10. Hi, GetOff.

Welcome to the DU! :smoke: You sound like an old pro, anyway.

Here's how the war in Iraq has affected me:

1) Ever since we marched into Iraq, I have been tormented by enormous tidal waves of anger which have had no place to go......except here, by a lucky chance.

2) I have been maniacally beset by ???Questions??? Never-ending questions about what has happened to my beloved adopted country. "What happened?" Is this the same country? Answer: No.

3) I have started to view suspiciously any cars that drive by with a Bush/Cheney bumper sticker or a lawn sign that says Bush/Cheney. I'm hoping they have a huge infestation of carpenter ants and green mildew dripping down their walls.

4) The situation has gotten so bad here in the US that I went back to Sweden to have another look around. Several of my friends have said, "that's it. We're going back home. Things have gotten too weird and risky in the US".

[proud patriot]

11. I cried for three days starting the day before we bombed

til there were no more tears to cry .

I adopted a soldier who I now consider a friend .
My second adopted soldier leaves in oct. for Iraq .
He is my Greenwaste pickup guy , he saw my yard signs
and started talking one day .

I have friends online who have suffered great loses
I have suffered with them .

Personally I have great anxiety about the can of worms
that bush has opened in Iraq , puts my family and friends
at greater risk .

I live near many large N. California ports , with all
the money being spent in Iraq I feel vunerable because
national Security has taken a back seat .

Someone saw the bush lies on the front of my car
and told me "You should be tried and shot for treason"
(I've since changed it but not from this experience)

A mother a soldier serving in Iraq approached me once
Saying through tears "there will only be peace when bush
is gone" all I could do is embrace her and cry saying
I promise to do all I can to get him home to you safe
and sound. She thanked me for my stickers on my car .

A former Marine who is my sons Teacher even liked my
signs . He says it's Ashcroft that really scares him.

This has been my experience . Since I have no family
currenty serving (2 reservists though) I wanted to do
all I could to support our soldiers . By doing so it
became very personal for me . Getting letters and pictures
made it very personal for me . I'm sure I'm forgetting
My encounters . For someone who has no family there
I'm very involved and passionate about it .

on edit I forgot to say Welcome Underground :hi:

[Columbia]

12. 2003 was a skipped year of my life

Since it was spent in Iraq

[JohnOneillsMemory]

13. I quit my job and live on the edge. My teacher mother's students are dying

I quit my job with a band that was glorifying the war in a way that would encourage kids in the audience to join up to "defend our freedom."

My college history teacher mom has students dying in Iraq and others needing time off from class to attend their funerals.

I realized that what the band was doing was counter to what my mother was doing. Namely, showing kids how Empire works and warning them away from killing and dying in an illegal immoral war.

Leaving that job has me barely paying rent, a fugitive from creditors, and may have ended my chance for a family when my sweetheart became pregnant with no health care between us. A difficult miscarriage and the war goes on.

Daily I see online the bodies and the suffering from US state terrorism and I'm adrenalized with some PTSD. I feel the reality of US government war crimes every waking minute.

[SmileyBoy]

14. One of my roomates is in the National Guard, leaving for Iraq in Nov.

I really hope he'll be OK.