Families await word after Iraq crash

[sharonstone]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apus_story.asp?category=1110&slug=Iraq%20Helicopter%20Reax
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- Cherrieann Diaz anxiously waited for updates from Iraq on Saturday night, hopeful that no uniformed chaplain would visit her home.

Like many in this military town, Diaz was desperate for information following Saturday's crash in Mosul of two Black Hawk helicopters belonging to the 101st Airborne Division. Seventeen soldiers aboard the helicopters were killed and five were injured; one person was unaccounted for.

"If you see someone in a dress uniform, it's a really scary thing," said Diaz, whose husband is a brigade command sergeant major in the 101st. "Everybody's just waiting to find anything out."

[SadEagle]

1. CNN: Death toll up to 17 :-(

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/11/15/sprj.irq.crash/index.html

[sharonstone]

2. my deepest sympathy for the soldiers family and friends.

[wtmusic]

3. Time to 'find' another

1) Mass grave
2) Link to Osama
3) Torture video

[acmavm]

4. I have been thinking about this and I just can't imagine what I would

do if I had to wait to find out if one of my family was in those helicopters. Does anyone know how soon members of the families are notified?

As much as I really HATE hearing news like this everyday, and as much as I wonder what is going to happen after we pull out of there, I also can't help but wonder what kind of mess we are going to leave.

The bottom line, in my opinion is this: Bush & Co. started a war based on lies just so we could get our hands on the Middle Eastern oil fields. They based their "intelligence" on bad information from a con man named Chalabi who had visions of becoming the next President of Iraq. They were so arrogant that they didn't even make any contingency plans in the event the Iraqis didn't welcome them with open arms and rose petals. We killed tens of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians and have lost over 400 of our own. Now the thugs who got us into this mess are trying to save their own hides by bailing out by June. And in the meantime they've looted and raped the American people. And these poor men and women that we sent over there just keep on dying for a lie and a fantasy. How can anyone still have any reason to support these liars?

[sharonstone]

5. do not forgett my friend we have still unfinished business in

IRAN, SYRIA, LEBANON, LIBIYA, SUDAN?????????

[roguevalley]

7. its up to 20 now. :(

Some parents have heard their kids were dead on the TV.
They have become some of the most vocal anti-war, anti-
bush warriors out there. No wonder * won't go near them.

[roguevalley]

8. its up to 20 now. :(

Some parents have heard their kids were dead on the TV.
They have become some of the most vocal anti-war, anti-
bush warriors out there. No wonder * won't go near them.

[saigon68]

25. SAD SO SAD

My turn

Anti-war, not anti-soldier

Diane Carlson Evans, RN 1st Lt. Viet-Nam (1968-1969)

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?itemid=14437

On a bleak night in the Central Highlands of Vietnam in 1969, just a few miles from the Cambodian border, I sent another young soldier from the 4th Infantry Division back to the United States.

This handsome young infantryman would not greet his waiting, anxious family with his timid smile and war weary eyes. After hanging yet another pint of blood, I touched his ashen face and looked into his sunken dark eyes filled with visions of war, memories of home, and fear of death. As I stroked his soft, cold face he whispered his last words: “I just wish I could see my Mom again.”

In that heartbreaking moment, I wanted to be his mother. He needed her grace and comfort and she deserved to be the one with him. He was still such a boy. As the color drained from his skin and life left this precious son, I instinctively knew that I could never let him go; he would be the guardian of my memories and rage at a government that betrayed us by not giving us a clear mission in Vietnam or reason to stay. Lyndon Johnson’s words, “We shall win this war at all cost,” stung deeply as I softly whispered another goodbye to the cost -- a good soldier.

[karlschneider]

6. My neighbor & good friend's son (19) is somewhere in Iraq, she's frantic.

I have known this kid since he was 10 yrs old and he's one of the nicest youngsters I've met in years - it's a dilemma hoping that one of our own friends are not among the casualties but knowing that even if they are not, SOMEONE's son, brother, husband or friend will be. I just can't get this awful knot out of my gut.

[alcuno]

9. I pray for all of them.

May they all find peace with God.

[sharonstone]

10. Innocent souls for this Idiots farthers unfinished buznezz

[mw]

11. The dead soldiers deserve to have a finger on the hellfire button

so when Bush & Co. retire their souls to the lower regions, the soldiers who they killed can hit the switch and up the ferocity of the fires lapping at Bush's traitorous soul.

Shame shame shame on Bush and all who harbor him.

I almost feel sorry for the eternal searing that Bush will endure. Almost.

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

12. How many of our soldiers have to die in one fell swoop

before the Chimp will commemorate the occasion with a visit to a funeral?

[PaDUer]

13. Isn't he supposed to attend

one or did he already w/ the poodle? I think I remember reading it somewhere...the FAKER!!!

[grasswire]

14. acma wrote...

..upthread:


"The bottom line, in my opinion is this: Bush & Co. started a war based on lies just so we could get our hands on the Middle Eastern oil fields. They based their "intelligence" on bad information from a con man named Chalabi who had visions of becoming the next President of Iraq. They were so arrogant that they didn't even make any contingency plans in the event the Iraqis didn't welcome them with open arms and rose petals. We killed tens of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians and have lost over 400 of our own."

I disagree.

I believe Bushco KNEW there were no WMD. They rushed to get us in before the UN proved there were none. They rushed to get us in before the French and Russians completed their contracts with Hussein for oil. They KNEW there were no WMD and they did not bother to plan for making peace, because they make money in chaos. More chaos = more money.

[politicat]

15. My family and I are holding our breaths..... My Bro In Law is that Div,

was due to leave for his 15 days today.

Things aren't good right now.

Politicat.

[karlschneider]

16. Here's a hug and a hope from Oklahoma. I don't know what else to say.

;-(

[lostnfound]

19. And another one from Texas, with tears & prayers... n/t

[lebkuchen]

17. It's a very very difficult time for the families

having to wait for news...

[Solly Mack]

24. Hugs from a military family attached to the 101st

My thoughts are with you and yours tonight.

My husband is attached to both the 716th MP BN and 101st AA out of Campbell.

[montana_hazeleyes]

26. Hopefully,

If he was due to leave today he wouldn't have been on those copters since these copters appear to have been on duty. I don,t know much about military things, but that's what came to mind.

[dofus]

18. My oldest son is 20.

Any one of those kids dying or being maimed over there could be him. I know that every child is as precious to his mother as mine is to me. I cannot begin to imagine losing this wonderful human being who came from me, who I nursed, nurtured, and protected all these years.

And I think, too, of the uncounted hundreds and thousands of Iraqis who are dying every day. Notice I we don't hear about them any more. It's as if no Iraqis are dying or being wounded at all.

[karlschneider]

20. I hesitate to demonstrate this, but this will make you very very sick

http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=fp-pull-web-t&p=sand+niggers

[hang a left]

21. Those people are sick, I mean there is just something wrong with

them.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

22. Very similar to the expressions used during Vietnam...

"gooks", "chinks", "slants", etc.

Just some of the dehumanizing, hateful terms used throughout military history to keep soldiers from thinking about the "enemy" in human terms. They have girlfriends, boyfriends, wives, families, parents, brothers, sisters, and friends, too...but you don't want to know that when you're killing them.

[opihimoimoi]

23. Condolences to all the families/friends of the deceased/wounded.

My son was in the 101 during DS1, MASH Unit. I dreaded the day a shiny car would drive up the drive way. Thank God it didn't come. My son came home in one piece.

But for these guys and their kin folk, this is a horrific tragedy, more so because its needless and uncalled for. My heart goes out to all affected, all the KIAs/Wounded during this stupid "war". Please let this Madness end soon.

Come, we find Solace/Peace