Posted on 10/22/2011 1:56:31 PM PDT by Evil Slayer
KILLEEN — The announcement Friday that all U.S. service members will leave Iraq by the end of the year had mixed reactions in this Army town, where for the past decade the rhythm of life has been defined by deployments to the Iraqi war zone.
Aaron Gonzalez, a 23-year-old who said he served in the Army in Iraq in 2008 and 2009, said President Barack Obama's decision was a plus for the nation's budget but a minus for security.
"It's going to create a problem in the Middle East and put us back in a vulnerable situation in regards to being in the same position as 9/11," he said.
Marcella McGinley-Campbell, a 62-year-old who said she was retired from the Air Force, said Obama's decision would weaken the position of American troops before they leave Iraq and make them more likely to be attacked as they are pulling out.
"I think it's a mistake," she said.
No other military installation has shouldered the burden of the fight in Iraq like Fort Hood: Since the war began, soldiers have deployed from Fort Hood about 300,000 times, and Fort Hood commanders have directed day-to-day operations in Iraq for nearly half the war.
Fort Hood has also suffered more casualties in Iraq than any other military installation: more than 500, according to the website icasualties.org, 163 more deaths than Camp Pendleton in California, which has the second-most casualties.
And Fort Hood soldiers will be among the last to leave Iraq. Among the final 40,000 American troops will be more than 12,000 Fort Hood soldiers, including three brigades with the post's 1st Cavalry Division. It's not clear yet when the troops will return to Fort Hood, but Obama said Friday that service members will be "home for the holidays."
(Excerpt) Read more at statesman.com ...
KILLEEN — The announcement Friday that all U.S. service members will leave Iraq by the end of the year had mixed reactions in this Army town, where for the past decade the rhythm of life has been defined by deployments to the Iraqi war zone.
Aaron Gonzalez, a 23-year-old who said he served in the Army in Iraq in 2008 and 2009, said President Barack Obama’s decision was a plus for the nation’s budget but a minus for security.
“It’s going to create a problem in the Middle East and put us back in a vulnerable situation in regards to being in the same position as 9/11,” he said.
Marcella McGinley-Campbell, a 62-year-old who said she was retired from the Air Force, said Obama’s decision would weaken the position of American troops before they leave Iraq and make them more likely to be attacked as they are pulling out.
“I think it’s a mistake,” she said.
The old commie 'RAT "holidays" BS. The only reason Americans are still allowed to celebrate Christmas in this country is because the commie 'RATS need a touchy/feely day to use when they stick it to Americans and to also have the Scrooge character available when they want to stick it to the Republicans.
This is pure BO politics — he does not give a poop about any foreign matters or our military. A pure sham and a fraud focusing on election time.
I know it’s a secondary consideration, but I can’t help but wonder how a sudden infusion of tens of thousands of able-bodied young men and women to the ranks of those seeking jobs will affect the unemployment rate.
Brace yourselves for the flood of even more Muslims into the USA when the mass slaughter of “traitors” and “collaborators” is unleashed in the new Iranian controlled puppet state of Iraq.
he was referring to ramadan.
It’s only just begun ...
the Obama withdrawals that is.
Happy Birthday Dear Jesus,.......
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