How many people have family serving in Iraq?

[Dave M]

Just curious how many people here have relatives serving in Iraq right now. My cousin just got sent over a week or two ago and will be there about a year, they're saying. He's serving with the Airforce.

Here's an email he recently sent me:

To everyone,

Well, I was able to get a early day off today so I decided to write everyone a
email and update you. The past couple of days have been difficult here on base but yesterday was extremely rewarding. Yesterday, part of our squad went out to do a meet and greet with the locals and kids. After they got back, they all were full of smiles and they all felt good. The kids and the locals were absolutely excited to see them. They were able to take pictures of the kids and the elders, every single one of those individuals were smiling from ear to ear and were
singing USA. It was so great to see the guys come home with a huge smile on there face. THIS IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT.
We were informed that we will be going out here shortly and needless to say, I am already hitting the candy aisle. I am so excited to see these kids. We all
needed this so bad. It is great to see that we are actually doing something in
this country, unlike the media shows. This future generation of children are the key to the success of this country. If we can win the hearts and mind of these people and the generation coming up, we will be able to help establish a democracy in this country.
I just ask everyone to continue to pray for all the troops safety in the middle
east and their families. I just want to thank everyone for their love and
support. There is one thing I would like all of you to do, when you see someone in uniform, go up and personally thank them.


Thanks again for everything,

[Y2KHAWK]

No blood family but some friends that are like family. I get calls at strange times. LOL Thank them everytime I talk and email them. They are a special bunch and deserve our undying support and thanks.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I have a nephew over there. He is an AH60 mechanic.

[Steel2686]

Thanks for sharing the email, Dave. That's the kind of thing I wish the media would report. Never happen unfortunately.

My good friend's brother is over there. He's a navigator on an A-6.

[ryan34]

My uncle was recently in Uzbekistan(sp.?) But he has since come home. No one in Iraq though.

[Nightrage]

My brother is getting ready to join the Army. He just passed his physical as a matter of fact. I'm sure he'll be getting shipped over.

[Roger in Kensington]

Dave,

Your cousin's experience parallels that of my two cousins (who are brothers) who each served a tour of duty in Iraq (but not simultaneously). They were out of Ft. Hood, Texas (Army) and I was in close communication with both while they were overseas. Sent them care packages about once every 5-6 weeks. The news media in this country stinks, never telling the great progress that troops on the ground report.

One of my cousins, who was there shortly after the start of the invasion and was in Fallujah during the height of the fighting there, told me quite frankly that he felt safer in Baghdad than he would in Washington, DC. Not quite sure I completely agree, but living in the DC area, I see his point.

At the moment, I have a "cousin-in-law" serving with the Army in the Sinai Peninsula at South Camp. Not Iraq . . . but I send him care packages.

All who serve deserve our respect and our continued support. Please give your cousin my regards.

[Dave M]

Here are a couple pictures my cousin sent me today. They were training and a bunch of Kurdish kids were hanging around watching and picking up the brass.