I'M TIRED....

"I'm Tired"
Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth month of duty in Iraq, I
was forced to return to the USA for surgery for an injury I sustained
prior to my deployment. With luck, I'll return to Iraq to finish my
tour.

I left Baghdad and a war that has every indication that we are
winning, to return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned
to in 1971 after my tour in Vietnam. Maybe it's because I'll turn 60 years
old in jus t four months, but I'm tired:

I'm tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican
who lack the courage, fortitude, and character to see these difficult
tasks through.

I'm tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite
history when the going gets tough.
I'm tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they
'Support the Troops' by wanting them to 'Cut and Run' before! victory is
achieved.

I'm tired of a mainstream media that can only focus on car bombs
and casualty reports because they are too afraid to leave the safety
of their hotels to report on the courage and success our brave men and
women are having on the battlefield.

I'm tired that so many Americans think you can rebuild a
dictatorship into a democracy over night.

I'm tired that so many ignore the bravery of the Iraqi people to
go to the voting booth and freely elect a Constitution and soon a
permanent Parliament.

I'm tired of the so called 'Elite Left' that prolongs this war by
giving aid and comfort to our enemy, just as they did during the Vietnam
War.

I'm tired of antiwar protesters showing up at the funerals of our
fallen soldiers. A family who's loved ones gave their life in a just and
noble cause, only to be cruelly tormented on the funeral day by cowardly
protesters is beyond shameful.

I'm tired that my generation, the Baby Boom-Vietnam gener ation,
who have e such a weak backbone that they can't stomach seeing the
difficult tasks through to victory.

I'm tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of
captives than they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and
allies.

I'm tired that when we find mass graves it is seldom reported by
the press, but mistreat a prisoner and it is front page news.

*Mostly, I'm tired that the people of this great nation didn't
learn from history that there is no substitute for Victory.*

Sincerely,Joe Repya,
Lieutenant Colonel, U. S. Army
101st Airborne