Please, a *good vibes* and/or prayers thread for DU military families

[dolo amber]

I was speaking to my younger brother recently, and through some misguided sense of *trying to make things better* (for the Iraqis, not the US) he actually is considering enlisting...I am just SICK imagining if he were over there now. I can't possibly begin to guess how those of you who actually have family members there now feel.

To all of you, and to all families in anguish right now following this latest news, I wish you peace, love, and many, many good thoughts.

:cry:

[ronnykmarshall]

1. Amen dolo.

There are so many DU'er that have family over there as well. It brings it all home.

[Ilsa]

2. Prayers for all DU'ers family in Iraq....

Hoping they all come home safe and sound.

Bring Them Home Now!

I think there is a special place in Hell for that asshole occupying the WH.

[AmandaRuth]

3. i am praying for the safety and safe return

of all our troops.

f bush, and his bad evil decisions

[Earth_First]

4. Please keep the 1/142 AVUM stationed in Tikrit in heart and mind...

I served with these men and women for 6 years,

[LizW]

5. I second that

and ask for good thoughts for my friend's husband. He is in Kuwait, but flies up to Baghdad frequently.

I know the stress of today's events is unbearable. My thoughts are with you.

:hug:

[supernova]

6. Absolutely dolo

*good vibes* for dolo's brother and all those who are in Iraq now, or will be soon.

[wryter2000]

7. You bet.

And for all military families. :grouphug:

[NoPasaran]

8. Peace and love

And bring them home to their families and loved ones.

[Karenina]

9. Get together

and get your loved ones out of there, if they and you want them out.
It CAN be done. This sacrifice of human life for profit is

DISGUSTING. DISGUSTING. DISGUSTING. DISGUSTING. GRAUSAM. EKELHAFT.
:cry: :mad: :argh: :puke: :puke: :puke: :argh: :mad: :cry:

[TNOE]

10. What a Great Idea

To Mari33 and all the rest who I wish I could name by name. I'm really praying for all the men and women and holding them tightly in my heart.

[proud patriot]

11. My heart goes out to all our Military Families

((((HUGS)))

[TNOE]

12. Kicking

It can't hurt.

[dolo amber]

13. One self-aggrandizing kick

I think this thread is worth it.

[x-g.o.p.er]

14. Amen...

May they all be home soon, safe and sound

[MoonRiver]

15. You got it!

Prayers galore for our fallen military and their families, and the innocent fallen Iraqis.

[Lisa]

16. perhaps your brother could consider the Peace Corps or an NGO like UNICEF?

If he enlists right now I am dreadfully afraid that he might find himself being ordered to fire upon civilians, and end up feeling broken-hearted about his decision.

A couple of months ago I had the privilege of meeting a Canadian General who had participated in many peacekeeping/rebuilding operations. One of the other students asked him for his suggestions about getting involved in making the world a better place, and the General said that while he has found peacekeeping to be very rewarding, he has also had numerous traumatic experiences where nothing seemed to go right (e.g. Rwanda). He said that one needs a long-term vision in order to keep on going. He strongly recommended that a young person get a degree in something like history or the social sciences in order to find out more about a particular troubled region, maybe even get some volunteer experience with an agency in that part of the world and learn the local language, and then start a military career -- and be able to assist with long-term rebuilding efforts. Apparently there is a crying need for such experts with in-depth knowledge, worldwide. The General said that while it may take a bit longer than just signing up at the recruiting office, the diplomatic/military/foreign aid applications are tremendous, and he really hopes that there will be a wave of idealistic new people doing this.

p.s. regarding the fighting now -- a friend who married an Iranian says this reminds her dreadfully of the Iran-Iraq war. She remembers being worried all the time about family friends who had been sent to the front. Waiting to hear the news was agony for their families. The two of us watched the news and hoped that the reports were wrong about the casualties.