This was posted, by Eric Estenzo, to the IVAW Cleveland myspace page, April 5, 2008
Deployment affects everyone especially family members who have to deal with the brunt load that service members carry. The "war" is not over because politicians say so. The "war" rages on inside the hearts and minds of those directly affected by it. They say we should stay the course or else Iraq will be a blood bath. Is it not a blood bath already? Do we honestly believe that if we were given our right to govern our own country that we would let it fall into the hands of evil doers? We do, as Americans, have the natural right to keep our country into the hands of the people, not the corporations, politicians, or wealthy families. The same will happen in Iraq once the people collectively understand that there is noone else but them to take back their country. American forces serve as false security and Iraqis will do less than half because were occupying them. When we come home from this debacle, will America continue to support US? Vietnam vets, to this day, are dealing with life issues. Its life long to my understanding and I wonder how much more should we send into battle knowing that the battle continues well after the war becomes history and so will the men and women who have fought. How many yellow ribbon magnets have disappeared since the invasion? But all of our struggles ,post trauma, seconadry trauma wont be duly noted in history. No. We will have a monument commemorating the gallantry and heroism while vets lay on the streets homeless, and disabled vets fighting for their survival because medical insurance is too costly and employment is unavailable. Also to mention the families who crack and break because the experience becomes too unbearable for them. Sacrifice is endless. We participated in this "war". We affirm the cause for it everytime we let another year pass. And for every year that passes comes another family having to cope with post trauma, another burden on the people, another vet lost in society. When do we stop? Are we not THE PEOPLE of United States? Last I checked, the Preamble to the Constitution was wirtten with three powerful words, WE THE PEOPLE. If we dont control our destiny, somebody will.
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