In their own words: Letters from U.S. casualties

[GUNWOUNDS]

In their own words: Letters from U.S. casualties

Writings from U.S. troops who have died in Iraq

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5932640/

Its a collection of the last letters sent home by soldiers who are now dead..... i found it very interesting to read their thoughts and views ... and even their hopes.

Army Staff Sgt. Dale Panchot, 26, of Northome, Minn., in a letter to his family.

[VigilVirus]

So many lives wasted and dreams shattered. Thank you, George Dubya.

[Caid Ivik]

You should remind some wars which took even more. When Rome conquered Syracusa, no one abroad mourned Archimedes, you know.

[GUNWOUNDS]

You should remind some wars which took even more. When Rome conquered Syracusa, no one abroad mourned Archimedes, you know.

this isnt about mourning.... this is just something that i think is interesting because i have always wanted to know what people thought or had planned before they unknowingly died.

[Caid Ivik]

Why they have went into the army then? You should expect death as a soldier. If you have higher plans, then why would you waste time guarding iraqi policemen?

[VigilVirus]

Why they have went into the army then? You should expect death as a soldier. If you have higher plans, then why would you waste time guarding iraqi policemen?

Lack of money? Desire to prove something to yourself?

But no, you don't usually expect death as a soldier in the US army, because if you look at the percentage of casualties you can see that not that many have died compared to the total standing army. These aren't the times of WWII and the huge rates of casualties anymore. So no, you might be afraid to die, but you certainly don't expect to with any certainty.

[Caid Ivik]

No no, you make same great mistake as they do. I have no need to explain how many soldiers died in Korea, Vietnam, Rwanda, Israel, Bosna, Iran, Afghanistan or wherever was a conflict recently. You can see it by yourself. Where are men aiming rifles on other ones, there you simply have to expect death. Truth that you are supported by heavy artillery, largest navy on the world and super-sharp missiles from air force does only lower the chance during attack. However, it is always harder to hold, not to conquer.

[Davidu]

"Live each day as it would be your last."

That's a saying so old... from the antiquity.

A soldier should expect death and embrace it as a lover when it comes. There is no higher honor than death on the battlefield. Or so the Spartans said.

Time have changed, peoples have come and gone, empires fell, but people still die the same, at the hands of their own kind.

[VigilVirus]

That's idealism, not reality. Few people are like that anymore.

[ordos45]

The National Guard never expected to serve in wartime. 

You get decent pay for a month in summer and a weekend or two a month to train.  They're usually called up to aid in rebuilding during Natural Disasters.

Since 9/11, my cousin's fiance has been called up twice, which delayed his university final semester twice.  The first was to guard some munitions plant, the next was almost a year in Iraq.

[Caid Ivik]

That's idealism, not reality. Few people are like that anymore.

This "idealism" is from times when military was only way to reach political rights, we haven't received them for nothing...

[nemafakei]

"Since 9/11, my cousin's fiance has been called up twice, which delayed his university final semester twice"

That worries me... but you mightn't quite understand unless you've seen 'Dad's Army'

[ordos45]

I've never seen Dad's Army, but could understand worrying anyhow.  He finally graduated though, at the end of last semester.  (And fortunately was not wounded while over there.)

[mordusxxx]

and just think if i wouldnt of smoked mary jane i could of been one of those who sennds the notes. :'( truly sad

[nemafakei]

Who is Mary Jane? Do I assume you mean "hadn't" or is this some sort of moins-que-parfait tense?

[GUNWOUNDS]

Who is Mary Jane? Do I assume you mean "hadn't" or is this some sort of moins-que-parfait tense?

Mary Jane is the english translation for the name of a particular drug Nema.  You are a linguist enthusiast so i will let you figure it out.  ;)

[nemafakei]

Ahhhh..... Makes sense, now. Thankyou.

[Dunenewt]

Not an english translation, a colloquial expression surely?

[GUNWOUNDS]

And it is a common american error to say  "would not"  instead of "had not"

[GUNWOUNDS]

Not an english translation, a colloquial expression surely?

No its a direct english translation.

Its an english translation for the popular spanish name .... not the scientific name.

[Dunenewt]

It's a name of a person.  I'm sure the 'drug' has a proper name.

[GUNWOUNDS]

Marijuana translates to Mary Jane

and the scientific name is Cannabis

However dunenewt i am sure 99% of all people call it by Marijuana ... so that would be a "proper" enough name for it.

[nemafakei]

Ok, ok, it's alright. Back ontopic now.

[GUNWOUNDS]

Ok, ok, it's alright. Back ontopic now.

LOL nema i see you renamed the title on the top of your post... subtle yet hilarious.... didnt think you had it in you.

[GUNWOUNDS]

and just think if i wouldnt of smoked mary jane i could of been one of those who sennds the notes. :'( truly sad

So mord you didnt make it into the navy cause you smoked weed?