The truth as seen by a frontline soldier in Iraq

E-Mail message from a frontline soldier in Iraq
SGT Walker jbw1416@yahoo.com ends his message with "please send this out to as many people as you want." And I'm sure he'd welcome responses from you.

June 24, 2007

From: SGT Walker, Jason
> B CO 1-64 AR BN
> 6/24/2007

>
>>>>> >Hello everyone!!!
>>>>>
>>>>> > Well its been a couple of weeks since my last
>>>>> >letter to the group. I just want to start off by
>>>>> >saying that it has been one of the toughest times of
>>>>> >my life and without your prayers I don't think I wold
>>>>> >have made it this far. If it hadn't been for the Lord
>>>>> >that's for sure.
>>>>>
>>>>> > Keep your prayers up my friends. The Army is in
>>>>> >a reaaly bad spot right now. What we hear our
>>>>> >leadership telling the American people isn't the case
>>>>> >at all really. The common line soldier is not being
>>>>> >heard. I want you to know the truth. The truth from a
>>>>> >soldier from the gound in the middle of Bagdad.
>>>>> > We are not making progress. I can tell you from
>>>>> >the last time I was here in 05 that we are fighting a
>>>>> >whole new beast. Instead of a few individuals from a
>>>>> >different land we are now fighting the whole country.
>>>>> >The streets are empty. The people that supported
>>>>> >liberty and freedom have long been killed or have
>>>>> >moved. I cleared a group of houses the other day that
>>>>> >was at least 50% abandoned. The only people that seem
>>>>> >to want us here are the people we put in power.
>>>>>
>>>>> > How is this a Godly war? How is forcing our way
>>>>> >on another country that doesn't want us here the right
>>>>> >answer. Sure the government we put in place needs our
>>>>> >help, yet we gave them power for which they aren't
>>>>> >inclined to give up too easily.
>>>>> > This county is in the middle of a civil war.
>>>>> >They tell us we are on Iraq's side. Well Iraq wants to
>>>>> >be free to fight thier own battles, Sunni and Shiite
>>>>> >alike.
>>>>>
>>>>> > Alll this being said it's not the fight for
>>>>> >freedom that upsets me. If I saw citizens dragging
>>>>> >terrorists in the streets and wanting Liberty I would
>>>>> >gladly give my life for that cause. That is not the
>>>>> >case at all. The people keep thier mouth's shut and
>>>>> >therefore the Terrorists leave them alone. Thats all
>>>>> >they want anyway.
>>>>>
>>>>> > Well an Army is held together by a "cause" . A
>>>>> >cause to hold the soldiers together, a cause to give
>>>>> >them some cause for sacrifice. Four of my close
>>>>> >friends gave that sacrifice the other day. Death is
>>>>> >part of a soldiers life. It is the accepted risk. The
>>>>> >price for Liberty. The hardest part has been
>>>>> >justifying thier sacrifice. Is so many good many lost
>>>>> >worth the freedom of a country who doesn't really want
>>>>> >us here. I say no.
>>>>>
>>>>> > When is this going to stop? When is enough,
>>>>> >enough? Please we need your help. The common soldier
>>>>> >needs your help. The soldier that signed up to serve
>>>>> >and protect his country with no political gain needs
>>>>> >your help. The command is not representig the truth.
>>>>> >They are representing thier careers. It is costing you
>>>>> >your son's and daughter's lives. Please stand up and
>>>>> >help us. Bring us home!! Bring your sons and daughters
>>>>> >home.....it's time.
>>>>>
>>>>> > I am a believer in my Christ Jesus. I pray
>>>>> >everyday that the Lord will bring His wisdom down on
>>>>> >the leadership of our country. I believe that these
>>>>> >people have seen nothing but violence their entire
>>>>> >life. How are we bringing them any difference. Christ
>>>>> >looked at the individual. We need to help this country
>>>>> >one person at a time with the love of Christ. The Lord
>>>>> >will bring His Judgement when the time is right. There
>>>>> >are good people here, yet they are ruled by fea