January 2nd, 2009
inkdick: january 02 2009 off to war
Juozas goes back to Ft. Dix and then off to Iraq soon after that. My brother and I are total opposites but he’s still my brother and I love him and I don’t want him dying or getting hurt. Especially in a war that should never have been started in the first place. If Bush wanted to prove to his father that he was a man or whatever, he could have went himself into Iraq to kill Saddam. He doesn’t need to send people’s brothers and sisters and sons and daughters off to die for his stupid daddy-issues.
I hope Juozas will be safe and come back in one piece.
January 10th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
He’ll come back safe and sound =)
Just pray for his safety, still hoping and praying my big bro doesnt get sent back over, so i can relate. Chin up, everything will work out.
January 11th, 2009 at 6:34 am
Just back from “Family Day” @ Ft Dix NJ a couple of hours ago.
.
Juozas will be fine,
unless he pulls some stupid “John Wayne” crap,
and his combat buddies are not quick enough to break his knee…
.
He’s got a LOT going for him:
=
Today’s US Army soldiers are very well trained.
.
His Brigade Commander is a very sensible, knowledgeable, efficient, strict, BUT caring for his soldiers, LEADER.
.
About 1/2 of his unit soldiers are combat veterans with EXPERIENCE:
meaning they have been to Iraq or Afghanistan at least ONCE
and some MORE than once already.
.
There is STRONG unit cohesion:
they work, play and fight as a TEAM and each one knows his duties,
AND, they “take care of each other”.
.
Because they are a National Guard unit,
most soldiers bring civilian skills and/or expertise,
thus doubling or tripling their effectiveness.
While an Active Duty soldier, let’s say at age 30, knows soldiering,
A National Guardsman will know soldiering,
PLUS==== from his civilian life he may also know Firefighting, or Mechanics, or Medicine, or be a College Professor, an owner of a business, a town manager, a writer, an artist, a teacher, an actor, a plumber or whatever.
So, when a situation arises that is not pure soldiering,
there is a good chance that someone in the unit will have knowledge or experience of what or how to do it, or get it fixed…
.
Also…
a National Guardsman or Reservist brings some maturity and life experience to the unit.
.
The American soldier is thought to “think for himself” and take the initiative:
if his leader gets hurt,
he will not stand there with a thumb up his A*s,
but will TAKE CHARGE himself, or follow another one that does.
————————-
I AM aprehensive about Juozas’s going to Iraq, BUT I am NOT worried…
.
His unit is PREPARED.
.
Then, of course,
Juozas KNOWS that not only his family,
but TOTAL STRANGERS CARE!
.
A poignant example:
.
Heather, a “Facebook” friend,
whom he had never met in person,
on her OWN INITIATIVE,
drove 4 hours through snow and sleet halfway across Pennsylvania,
just to meet him,
have dinner with us at Mastoris Diner,
bring him a card and a present
(framed portrait drawing of Juozas, she did herself)…
and bid him farewell and aloha…
(and then she drove herself home through more bad weather…
hope she made it back safely…)
.
THAT is caring…………………………………..CARING!!!
.
He WILL be OK.
.
It is up to US
to
NOT LET HIM DOWN!
.
January 11th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
He will be fine; although, changed from war. Just keep him in your prayers. I am proud of both you and Juozas. Two great young men who have much to give this world.