Jim Spiri in Iraq

As I read letters from parents whose sons I have been among, I am deeply struck by all the comments. All of them say essentially the same thing. "Thank you for being there and letting America know what a fine job our boys are doing". No doubt, exactly what I was trying to convey, did get conveyed. We have asked our sons to do a job, and they have responded without hesitation.

I learned a long time ago, not to have an opinion, yet, it is still a learning process. The men I have come to know here, don't ask why, they just do as they are told. Yes, many have deeper thoughts on a variety of things going on here in Iraq, yet, it is so critical to just do the current job requested of them that there is really no time to be concerned with the "why" of what each are doing. Yet, when I see the "politicians" describing their view of failure I wonder how many of them have actually seen what I have seen.

Most of the American public, stateside, has no clue of what we have asked our sons to do. Many of us, don't really have a glimpse of whatever the "big picutre"
really is. I do not know who at this point does have that answer. All I know at the moment is, we have asked our sons to do a task, and they are doing what we ask. Maybe, it would be a good idea for every politician to come and ask the lance corporals and Sgts and the others, I have been privy to walk the streets of Fallujah with recently, what they think should be done. After all, I remember the President saying many times over, "it depends what the commanders on the ground are saying", as to what direction he, (the President) will take.

I just cannot see the relevancy from my vantage point of politicians wrangling over "issues" and "timetables" and other things of the sort, while we ask and demand our sons to do a job. Yes, I am aware of the beauty of the American system, the freedom it has provided all of us to speak our mind, but at times, I am reminded of the verse, "out of the mouth, the heart speaks."

I would ask Mr. Lugar, and any other Senator, to come and see for themselves, what they have required of our sons here in Iraq, and what do they expect the outcome to be? I have always said in many venues, "If the politicians had their own sons here in the fight, what would be the course of action taken..?" Therefore, I would say, bring your own sons here, come and be here where I have been, be among those who have seen much more than I have, and then feel free to speak on behalf of the American soldiers as well as the general public. In the mean time, I would caution those speaking abruptly, concerning America's plans or lack thereof, to "look before one leaps", especially if the motive is purely for political posturing.

We all have come to far, to waste time and breath on any sort of political posturing while the sons and daughters of America are in harms way, especially as we see the casualty rate climbing daily. I am aware of how each parent feels at the loss of a child. I know the pain and suffering first hand. No amount of political posturing will assist in healing of such pain. So what does that leave any of us to think or do is the question..?

After reading an email from a lady whose brother currently is in the hospital in Germany for wounded soldiers, I am subdued to the uttermost. Her brother has lost two legs, and one arm. He is alive, and receiving much care, and is expected to recover physically. She will go see him this week. Her words to me in an email were, "he is doing remarkably well at this point, because he believed in what he was asked to do". He is a Marine. I would ask Senator Richard Lugar, and all the others, "have you gone to see this Marnie?". Ask him what should be done.
Then, if after that, Senator Lugar, and all the others, have a clear conscience to speak, then I will be more apt to listen to what he might have to say.

In the mean time, it's another day in Iraq. It's hot, it's dangerous, and the sons and daughters of America continue to do what is asked of them.

Sincerely,

Jim Spiri
Fallujah, Iraq