Some Things On My Mind

nick44 · March 16, 2009

I am sharing this with you all because I know you are all proud to be Americans or just like American trucks either way here I go... My wife got me on this site called facebook. I am not sure if you all have heard of it but its like myspace or any other site that friends can see each others profiles upload pictures and what not. I got a message from a group saying that all soldiers are not hero's. So I read what they had to say and pretty much they said we rape and muder every where we go. They also said we had no choice but to join the military. I know some of that has happened over here and its unacceptable but they have no clue what good is going on over here in Iraq. No one in the military signed up because we wanted to be a hero. I joined because I remember how I felt sitting in class on September 11, 2001 watching the towars fall on tv. I have spent several years between Iraq and Afgainistan and to be honest its amazing seeing how much has changed over here that you just dont see on the news. Today I got a great chance and see the progress first hand. I am a truck driver now for the Army before my ankle got blown up and surgical repaired I was a an Infantry rifle man for the first 2 deployments. So needless to say I had my fair share of time out side the wire. Now back to what I got to do today. I took 5 gun trucks, 20 soldiers and an linguist out to a little village called aschoolic (well thats how it sounds not sure the correct spelling but I bet you all have figured out I cannot spell anyways.) We basicly just went out to talk to the people and see what we can do for them. This was not a combat mission at all and we were not seeking info on insurgents. One of the local nationals told me that they dont want us to pull out and wish our president could see that they still need us over here. I really wish the people who think we just rape and murder could see that we spent 14 hours in the village and not one shot was fired and we brought them food and water. They also gave us tea and one hell of a soccer game... America lost that one sorry guys. I was really nervious going out today though be the last time I was dismounted inside a city I lost 2 great soldiers. So today really helped me see we are doing good over here and that things have changed so much since 2003! Thanks for listening to me vent guys.

Nick

VR021302 · March 16, 2009

I, for one, am grateful to have men and women, such as you Nick, that are proud to serve our country. I do agree that the only thing the news usually reports is the death of US soliders or the bad shit anyway. If the news would report on some stuff like your last mission then ppl could see what else actually goes on.

Oh and GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

Darkanion · March 16, 2009

I'm with Felix on this one. The media reports the bad. IF for no other reason, it has more shock value, which encourages people to tune in. If they say "coming up on the 6 o'clock news, we traveled with some troops today to a village in Iraq, on a goodwill mission" ... people will go find something else to do. I hate to say that, but they will. "What else is on?" "I'll go play XBOX." "What's going on, on GMT?" etc, etc.. If it's "bad" ..... people want to see the trainwreck. Otherwise, "they've got better things to do." I complain about all the bad news on TV. But, I tend to do the same thing. "Good" news doesn't catch my ear, but "bad" news does.. I'm not proud of that, but that's just how it is for me.

I am proud of the fact that our country still allows some level of free speech, so that messages like this aren't squelched, before they can reach our shores. THANK YOU for your service! THANK YOU for your sacrifice! THANK YOU for helped to spread the word that not all is bad over there! We will never be able to do enough to properly thank the people who have fought and died for our country. But, we should do all we can to show that thanks.

Here's wishing YOU, the rest of our troops, and the troops of our allies (few they may be) peace, shelter, safety, and a swift & safe return home, when the job is done.

VR021302 · March 16, 2009

I'm with Felix on this one. The media reports the bad. IF for no other reason, it has more shock value, which encourages people to tune in. If they say "coming up on the 6 o'clock news, we traveled with some troops today to a village in Iraq, on a goodwill mission" ... people will go find something else to do. I hate to say that, but they will. "What else is on?" "I'll go play XBOX." "What's going on, on GMT?" etc, etc.. If it's "bad" ..... people want to see the trainwreck. Otherwise, "they've got better things to do." I complain about all the bad news on TV. But, I tend to do the same thing. "Good" news doesn't catch my ear, but "bad" news does.. I'm not proud of that, but that's just how it is for me.

I am proud of the fact that our country still allows some level of free speech, so that messages like this aren't squelched, before they can reach our shores. THANK YOU for your service! THANK YOU for your sacrifice! THANK YOU for helped to spread the word that not all is bad over there! We will never be able to do enough to properly thank the people who have fought and died for our country. But, we should do all we can to show that thanks.

Here's wishing YOU, the rest of our troops, and the troops of our allies (few they may be) peace, shelter, safety, and a swift & safe return home, when the job is done.

+1

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Nick The Great · March 16, 2009

The irony of it all is that you sacrificed for the right of these people to badmouth you.

I, along with most Americans, appreciate your service.

Stevens03 · March 16, 2009

Nothing to add, but we appreciate the job you do and thank you for the service. There's always going to be some one complaining no matter what you do, so I wouldn't let it bother you.

Steven

Zembonez · March 16, 2009

Thanks Nick.

I salute you!

Alabama2500HD · March 16, 2009

Vent anytime Man! Lots of folks like to voice out on stuff they dont have a clue about. But there are many red bloodied Americans here at home that are proud of our guys protecting us and that consider you heros. Hang in there and God bless you!!!!!

JMO!!

mr_bots · March 16, 2009

+1 I hate people that bad mouth the military forces that protect our country. How can they bitch??? Without the military we have, we wouldn't have won the American Revolution, Civil War, WWI, WWII, etc. Anyone that bad mouths the military can pack their shit and get the **** out. There are few things that really piss me off, bad mouthing the military that is sacrificing their lives day in and out so that we can live in freedom is one of them.

Remember you only hear the stupid people, not the majority, that stands behind and supports our troops.

DofD · March 16, 2009

I'm on Facebook. I know that with any big group, as Facebook is, there will be a number of trolls and groups of trolls out to spread their uninformed misinformation to those to naive people who will listen to their utter crap. They are the loudmouthed minority.

Good news does not sell unfortunately. Which is why only bad news, death, and stories of tragedy make the headlines. It is a sad thing unto itself that this is true.

While I'm not American, my hat still goes off to all soldiers (Canadian, American, British, etc) who join and serve their country's military and the sacrifices they make.

VR021302 · March 16, 2009

Plus the fact that many anti-war, anti-solider ppl are either too fat or too stupid to make it into tjhe military to begin with. So what else are they gonna do? They are gonna bitch and complain and like the above said, troll wherever they can. They need to get shot in the feein head.

nick44 · March 16, 2009

I'm on Facebook. I know that with any big group, as Facebook is, there will be a number of trolls and groups of trolls out to spread their uninformed misinformation to those to naive people who will listen to their utter crap. They are the loudmouthed minority.

Good news does not sell unfortunately. Which is why only bad news, death, and stories of tragedy make the headlines. It is a sad thing unto itself that this is true.

While I'm not American, my hat still goes off to all soldiers (Canadian, American, British, etc) who join and serve their country's military and the sacrifices they make.

Yet another story but on a more upbeat note... I got to work with the Canadian Army while I was in Kandahar (once again my spelling sucks and it was a few years ago) and they were some of the most disaplined and professionals I have ever worked with. They were also some of the craziest people I have ever hung out with out side of work. Me and my buddy and about 10 Canadian soldiers got arrrest (yeah in a combat zone) for playing roller hockey on the air strip one night. Looking back a bad idea but a hell of time!

VR021302 · March 16, 2009

I'm on Facebook. I know that with any big group, as Facebook is, there will be a number of trolls and groups of trolls out to spread their uninformed misinformation to those to naive people who will listen to their utter crap. They are the loudmouthed minority.

Good news does not sell unfortunately. Which is why only bad news, death, and stories of tragedy make the headlines. It is a sad thing unto itself that this is true.

While I'm not American, my hat still goes off to all soldiers (Canadian, American, British, etc) who join and serve their country's military and the sacrifices they make.

Yet another story but on a more upbeat note... I got to work with the Canadian Army while I was in Kandahar (once again my spelling sucks and it was a few years ago) and they were some of the most disaplined and professionals I have ever worked with. They were also some of the craziest people I have ever hung out with out side of work. Me and my buddy and about 10 Canadian soldiers got arrrest (yeah in a combat zone) for playing roller hockey on the air strip one night. Looking back a bad idea but a hell of time!

tHAT SOUNDS LIKE A HELLUVA TIME

rvsahs · March 16, 2009

Keep up the good work in service for our country, Nick!

You make us proud!

nick44 · March 16, 2009

I just wanted to let you all know how much all this suport has helped out tonight! When I wake up in the morning I am going to print this whole thread out and read all the responces to my soldiers so that they will see how much every day red blooded Americans suport us and pray for us! Thanks guys!