Soldiers who survived attack in Afghanistan to get a 'thank you' -- and a bit more -- in care package

Many of us care and are working hard to BRING YOU HOME NOW! and alive. And for you to get care when you return.

We don't have yellow ribbon magnets on our cars. We have the bumper stickers that say "Support the Troops, Bring them Home Now".

We are Veterans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Military Family Members Speak Out, Woman Against Military Madness, Anti-War Committee, and many other groups and individuals.

One member has written each name of troop killed in Iraq and Afghanistan on wooden coffins he made but he had to stop after the 3rd coffin as hit was too heart breaking. And one group.. writes the name of all the troops killed on long white banners that he carries with help in parades and on vigils in Red Wing, MN. At vigils, we read off the names, city and age of troops killd that are from MN.

I made posters with the picture, name, age, city of each troop from MN killed in Iraq and Afganistan. I have made large posters of the names for others to carry in honor and rememberace.

7 years ago we marched to try and warn what war on Iraq would bring.. it was a solemn funeral for the lives that would be lost.(and for what? a lie)

I read the names of those troops killed.. and I think of where they are from, and their age. A friend sends out an email to all his contacts with the picture and obituary of a troop killed and asks them to mail it to their Senators, Rep, and President asking that we bring the troops home now.

Yes, the majority of Americans really don't want to hear of the deaths, of the injuries, of your losses. They really don't care.
BUT many of us do care, and we have spent the last 7-8 years trying to bring you home. Against the threats, against the hostility, against the verbal abuse, and against the continued weakness and lies by our Representatves.. we have worked to bring you home.. and will continue to.

I hope you and your family and friends join our work to bring all the troops home alive.

I"m not from San Francisco and I don't know why it says that, and I can't figure out how to change it. I"m from Minneapolis

I am very proud that Americans finally see the benefit of these troops. It is a kind gesture to supply them with soft, new, blankets and reading materials to other electronics to help pass the time. However when the veterans of other wars especially those from Vietnam were needing help they received nothing. They were only given a regular pension, if that, and told to live with it. In all honesty I think something of this nature should have been presented to those officers instead of mockery and ridicule. This is actually a let down for the Vietman Veterans that also served for the US.

Skaska wrote:

I"m not from San Francisco and I don't know why it says that, and I can't figure out how to change it. I"m from Minneapolis

Close enough. You might as well be.

Wow. I just didn't know about such things and underware and razors and the little things we take for granted. To these soldiers it must be emotionally overwhelming to want to change your pants when the person you ate breakfast is dead. I do support our soldiers and their families, more after reading this.

I totally support our troops overseas, every last one of them. My heartfelt thanks goes out to each one for their sacrifices. Lets ask them if they believe in their cause. They are the ones living this every day, and can see their results. We sit back in our comfortable chairs and only see what the media shows us, if anything at all. This attack was hardly mentioned.

stryker wrote:

I totally support our troops overseas, every last one of them. My heartfelt thanks goes out to each one for their sacrifices. Lets ask them if they believe in their cause. They are the ones living this every day, and can see their results. We sit back in our comfortable chairs and only see what the media shows us, if anything at all. This attack was hardly mentioned.

No media allowed, no story to be told. It's what military and political leaders want you to see and that is a big part of the problem.

This Is Disgusting...... This administration is not taking care of our troops.
The public should not have to take care of these menial items.
The United States has sent these men and woman to war, they should have everything needed to accomplish their mission.
Take the constraints off these soldiers and let them go in and kick ass, or get them out of there. WE have the ability to wipe out these "extreme muslim" idiots. JUST let them do there job.
Our government should give them every item needed, including items needed for their sanity after they've spent the day trying to kill or be killed. SAD.
If Bobama is afraid to let these soldiers fight, bring them HOME..
WE the American people respect and appreciate you fighting for our Freedoms.
God Bless YOU All... Thank You

War is not a good time, it should not be sold to American kids like it is. If the young ones don't like it then don't join. Really cannot blame Obama, Bush dithered in Afghanistan for seven years. Bush should have taken Bin Laden out way back then. As for Taliban we should never have built them up under old man Bush then they would not have the strength they do today. As for Al Quida we blew our chance to take them out too. But know what ? You can take out all three but others will replace them ASAP. We should never have gone in there for a long term. We wanted Bin Laden is all at first, but blew that.

Skaska wrote:

I"m not from San Francisco and I don't know why it says that, and I can't figure out how to change it. I"m from Minneapolis

It's wher eyour IP address is.

"Justice for All"....Ummmm don't blame obama. Your boy BUSH didn't do a DAMN thing for Afghanistan OR our boys. Go hang out with that Draft Dodging Cheney.

Smartass wrote:

War is not a good time, it should not be sold to American kids like it is. If the young ones don't like it then don't join. Really cannot blame Obama, Bush dithered in Afghanistan for seven years. Bush should have taken Bin Laden out way back then. As for Taliban we should never have built them up under old man Bush then they would not have the strength they do today. As for Al Quida we blew our chance to take them out too. But know what ? You can take out all three but others will replace them ASAP. We should never have gone in there for a long term. We wanted Bin Laden is all at first, but blew that.

All the finger pointing you libs do is pretty annoying. To our Soldiers: you are doing the right thing. Our enemies will not give up just because a wimpy President decides to withdraw. They are Islamic Extremist and they MUST be wiped out. This will take time but it is the only way to protect America. Keep up the awesome job you all have done and God bless you for your sacrifices.

Does anyone know of a general address we can use to write to the troops?

This would never had happened if Obama did not BREAK his promises. He said he would deploy more troops to help, then he gets wishy-washy on his initial decision. Not to mention Obama has no military experience whatsoever.

First of all, our US Military and our soldiers are NOT political. That's not what this article is about. I grieve for and with these brave soldiers from COP Keating. Cant thank them enough for their service and sacrifices. I am so happy to see the Pioneer Press covering the story of the American Legion and the Target Corporation's support of these troops. God Bless all of our veterans.

A winning strategy for Afghanistan: Since the war with the Muslim world began in the year 632 CE and one-in-four being Muslim, I think we should just accept the fact this is going to be a war of attrition. The trick would be to closes non-essential military bases around the world and establish a HUGE military presents Afghanistan, the theory being that it may be cheaper to maintain a large army in an emerging country. The actual trick would be to manage a VERY SMALL war of attrition, with the ongoing purpose of finding Ben Laden. This would serve to maintain an entire army at a low cost, provide ongoing training for our troops, infuse the Afghan economy and stabilize the country. After we build a state-of-the-art Army facility, complete with HD TV, indoor pool and arcade we then convince NATO and the UN it’s actually great fun. When they pick up the brush to paint the fence, we go home and watch a movie!
PS: I am telling everyone I know...

Julia wrote:

Does anyone know of a general address we can use to write to the troops?

Go to the website Operation shoebox. There is a list of needs on there.

Thank you Pat for the great comment, what we need to be talking about is our soldiers and not who is to blame. And thank you pioneer press for the story

Julia wrote:

Does anyone know of a general address we can use to write to the troops?

Letters for the troops-
http://www.opgratitude.com/from_iraq.php

Julia I cant post the guys address but email me if you want the address for the guys who were at COP Keating
marykhenry@yahoo.com

FYI the Minnesota legislature passed a law changing veterans preference for employment in government.

There is now 2 catagories of veteran preference the first selection for jobs goes to recent veterans, discharged since app. 2001.

The second group of veterans are those discharged prior to 2001. In other words the legislature prioritized recent veterans to be hired before the older veterans.

Vietnam veterans just got urinated on by Minnesota.

I think that stinks because a lot of Vietnam veterans were drafted into the Army and Marines and were sent off as body bag replacements for KIA. I know because I was drafted and served during the Vietnam war and went through the stress of that war AND political BS.

And now the post 2001 veterans get preference OVER Vietnam veterans. Remember post 2001 vets are ALL professional soldiers and signed up for the service just like a regular job. Most signed up for the benefits and NOT because their country needed them to fight a war. They signed up knowing they might end up in a war but want to work in the military.

Once again discrimination continues against Vietnam vets.

Shame on Minnesota!!!

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Liz A wrote:

I am very proud that Americans finally see the benefit of these troops. It is a kind gesture to supply them with soft, new, blankets and reading materials to other electronics to help pass the time. However when the veterans of other wars especially those from Vietnam were needing help they received nothing. They were only given a regular pension, if that, and told to live with it. In all honesty I think something of this nature should have been presented to those officers instead of mockery and ridicule. This is actually a let down for the Vietman Veterans that also served for the US.