I have noticed the oddest nuance concerning the discussion of Iraq in the context of Vietnam. Some conservatives and Republicans still think we won the Vietnam War, and the South Vietnamese lost it after all, after we turned the war over to them. Conservatives and Republicans get uncomfortable talking about the possibility of turning the Iraq War over to the Iraqis.
Liberals and Democrats get defensive when Iraq is brought up in the context of Vietnam. They after all, assured an entire generation there would never be another Vietnam.
Perhaps all four politicals should try a new line of work. Perhaps used-car-sales for example. And, and then the rest of us rabble could actually have room to participate in a reasonable governmental process.
This week's Wisconsin soldier to remember is Sgt. 1st Class Dan H. Gabrielson, 40, of Frederic. He spent 22 years in the Army Reserve. Gabrielson was a specialist in repairing construction equipment for the Army Reserve's 652nd Engineer Company based out of Ellsworth. He worked as a mechanic and machinist in the unit's motor pool and was in charge of keeping the bridge building equipment working under very difficult conditions. Sgt. Gabrielson was the third Wisconsin serviceman to die in Iraq and the first reservist from the state killed there. Gabrielson had taken over the role of platoon sergeant for his unit and was studying to become a warrant officer. He was promoted from staff sergeant to Sergeant 1st class after his bridge building unit was sent to Iraq. Sergent Gabrielson was killed on July 9, 2003, in a rocket-propelled grenade attack on a convoy near Baqouba, 45 miles northeast of Baghdad.
3,332 Americans have been killed in Iraq since Spring 2003.
71 Wisconsin Soldiers have been killed in Iraq since Spring 2003.
Soldier of the week and military casualty information sources: cnn.com; and, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
No comments:
Post a Comment