In December of 2006 we lost an extended famly member in Iraq. To this day I still as why? Why are we there? Why are the politicians so worried about political correctness? Our men and women die and we are worried about those who want to kill us, why? There is no answer as to why. Below is a man my son’s age, who lost his nephew in December and I think he has summed it up for us. Thank you Eric.

I have never posted a bulletin before,,, never felt the need. I tend to be more private and reserved. However, lately I don’t really know why, but I have felt the need to overflow, and maybe this isnt the time or place to do it, but who really cares right? So much has happened, this past year, things that have left many people like an ant that spins in circles after you step on it with no purpose or apparent direction. Life altering, gut wrenching things. Everyday, I open my email and watch it load…knowing that once again, I will have to see the name, age, and hometown, of another one of my brothers who gave his life in the line of duty. Another mother, daughter, father, son, wife, aunt, uncle, nephew, niece or cousin is already 24 hours into the pain and torment that I have seen. With a clenched jaw, I highlight the message and save it to a folder that I have marked, “Casualties” There are several hundred messages in the folder, hundreds of names that I don’t know, but for some reason I have to save them, tuck them carefully away like a folded flag, while through clenched teeth I utter another “God Damn’t” Why?
Through so many cautions, “Don’t Hate” and so many explanations…There remains no answer to the question, “why?”
But to my soldiers, my brothers on the ground, I want to let you know, that I understand the , “Why?”. I know how your heart feels right now, the sense of duty, brotherhood and honor. Watching each others backs, the teamwork, the mission. There is nothing on this earth that will ever compare to where you are and what you are doing right now. Damn the politicians, damn the media, damn the critics. You are building a country, not Iraq, but the United States. You are bringing us together…..You are saving OUR COUNTRY! Because when you set the politics aside, you can’t find a soul who doesn’t, “Support Our Troops!” The rest will be left to history.
After all of the dust has settled, and after the politicians decide which option is best, YOU WILL STILL BE SOLDIERS!… Any lost honor will be borne on the backs of lawmakers, while you, will forever carry the honor and prestige of being a United States Soldier!
Hours before a 500 lb bomb exploded under the Humvee of my nephew Seth Stanton, I told him, “Drive on , duck and cover, stay safe, I Love You!” Words that never in a million years I thought would be my last to him. And now, after so much more loss, those words have continued to ring back in my ears as a reminder. My life will never be the same, and neither will yours if you take the time to truly understand the, “Why?”
I’m just a simple guy, with a very little part in this world. But I want to let every one that reads this message know that I will do everything within my power to help any United States Soldier, from this moment until I take my last breath… Whatever it is! And as of this date, I have listed, 71 myspace friends who I know will do the same.
“DRIVE ON, DUCK AND COVER, STAY SAFE, WE LOVE YOU, AND WE KNOW THE “WHY”