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Message from a Soldier on the Frontlines

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June 1, 2007 04:54 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 6, 2007
Four days ago our local news reported that SPC.Erich Smallwood was killed in Iraq.Recently this message was found on his "My Space"page.Please give it a read,it is the least we can do...

Erich's Full MySpace Blog:

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Imagine your life like this. You wake up in the morning to the sound of gunfire....you can't run outside to see what's going on because you'd get shot..you can't call a friend to see what's going on because your family is too poor to have a phone...scared to drive down the road because of the IED's that were put out in your sleep that you have no idea where they're at...and if you're a Sunni...and the Shittes put the bomb out then you could be the next victim....scared to be around a bus because it could very easily blow up and kill everyone around it....scared to go anywhere because of all the kidnappings going on around you....that's just some of the problems the Iraqi people face...not everyone over here is bad...and for everyone that says that its none of our business to do it...your probably the type of person that would sit in your apartment and hear a husband beating their wife next door and just let it go...it is your business...if it was your mom or your sister getting beat would you sit there still? well it is someone's mom or sister getting beat...Saddam brutally murdered many people when he was the leader...he said that he was gonna get weapons of mass destruction and then he said he had them...so for those of you that say we shouldn't have came over here...imagine a nuke going off in the United States...would you want to be here then? If someone comes up to you and says I'm gonna get a gun and I'm gonna shoot you....would you say well he don't have the gun yet so it's ok...no you'd call the police and let them know...would you want a police chief that said ahh he don't have the gun it's ok...or would you want one that said that's not gonna work were going to get him...well I thank God everyday that we have the one that's gonna do something about it...I am in Iraq...I'm not gonna sit here and say I want to be here because no-one wants to be here...but I do it because of you...I do it so you can have the freedom to talk bad about us over here...I do it so your city doesn't get bombed...I do it so you can go to work every day....if you could see the kids on the side of the road that just want a piece of candy...what if it was your kid...I know there are kids in the states with the same problems..but in America you have opportunities....there are ways for everything...we have welfare..Iraq doesn't...we do everything in our power to help out our people...so don't say that we could spend the money on our own people because we are...if this is an unwinnable war then that's fine we tried...if you can live with yourself being as selfish as to say it's none of our business then fine do your thing...but just remember if we pull out right now...that the terrorists will take over this country and they will be in America if we allow them to have a whole country to train and grow then in 10 years or maybe even 20 don't blame it on Bush...he's our leader in a critical time...if it was someone else we would still be trying to talk out the problems while Saddam would be saying ok but still building or owning the WMD...and when we do win this war and 20 years from now Iraq is controlling its own country and fighting terrorists by their self you can look back and say man I'm glad that we went...if you have a family member or a friend over here don't be mad that he's over here be happy that he or she came for you...it's a dangerous place to be no-one can promise that anyone will make it back...if I die here I did it for you...if anyone else dies here they did it for you....morn but be happy to know that he loved you that much...sorry this was so long but I was just watching the news...seeing all of the demonstrators against the war...and wanted to say something...don't watch the news they show the complete bad side to everything...if you thought everything was working over here you'd quit watching the news...so they make you think otherwise...but it amazes me that many people would go waste their time on being against the war....when they could be at home writing a soldier and telling them that their behind them...we don't need to see that...but then again it wouldn't be worth fighting for if people couldn't go out in the streets and protest...but when you're out there protesting take a minute to thank us and the veterans before us...if not for all of us you wouldn't be in the street protesting without punishment.

SPC. Erich Smallwood



"The only thing necesary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"Edmond Burke.
June 1, 2007 05:10 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
March 7, 2007

jimmied:

I read it with tears in my eyes by the time I finished reading it.  My heart goes out to his.  People can be so cavalier about what it is that the men and women of the United States military face on a daily basis in order to serve this nation and protect it from those who hate us -- hate what we have in the way of GOD's blessings of abundance, hate who we are, hate the freedoms and liberties we enjoy, hate our sovereignty, hate the Christians who inhabit our nation's lands, and hate our determination to fight for justice for all peoples of the world.  Their sacrifice is immeasurable and it is beyond our individual and collective abilities to thank them enough, pray for them enough, fear for them enough, respect them enough, honor them enough, and support them enough with respect to what they need in order to effectively do battle.

The posting was powerful and belongs on the desk of every member of Congress, every employee of government, the president's desk, and in the office's of every judge.

GOD bless and keep our military men and women and strengthen them until their missions are accomplished. 

 



How can life be worth living if you can't and/or don't feel alive?
June 1, 2007 05:44 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 6, 2007
I believe everyone needs to pass this around.This man,yes I said man is intelligent and articulate.He was well aware of his mission.I know another man in his Battalion.He is from the 875th Engineering Battalion based out of Paragould,AR and Jonesboro,AR. SPC.Erich Smallwood was from Trumann,AR.Our men and women in the military know the difference of support and the stuff the liberal Dems and Repubs are spewing!My niece,may God bless her,will graduate from Marine Corps boot camp today(June 6).She is well aware of her duty.She is 25 years old!I thank God for men and women of such strength and courage.If they bought in to what the anti-war crowd are yelling and screaming about,we'd be in major trouble.By the way,to whom it may concern:want the war to be over?GET BEHIND THE TROOPS AND THE EFFORT!!!In past wars we didn't have much of a stomach for it either,but we rallied behind them and let them do the job they are train to do.MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS THE TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES!!!

"The only thing necesary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"Edmond Burke.
June 1, 2007 07:56 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 24, 2007
As a Viet Nam War vet, I know full well what SPC. Smallwood was talking about. WAR is RAW!! Whatever you think the worst possible concept of a war could be, it's not even close. You have to go through it to know what I mean. Your imagination can't even come close to how frenetic it is or can be. I returned home May 25, 1970. Yeah. 37 years ago last week. The last 3 months there I didn't make any new friends.  Many of my friends and buddies were killed. It's easier to see a stranger with half his head blown off then one of your bros in arms. The rich, young, red blood of a few million Americans stains the soil of Viet Nam. It was THEIR war. In Iraq We fight terrorists. Not the Iraqi common man. It's not even close to a CIVIL war. Believe me, you do not want to be fighting terrorists or militant ILLEGAL ALIENS on our soil. If the terrorists and ILLEGALS "hook-up" We, the people will have to be the "Viet Cong", the citizens guerilla force. When that time comes, and there is a high possibility of that, or a nuclear event, you will all know what it's like to be involved in a "war experience". When crowded movie theaters, restaurants, malls, buses, super markets, and any other public place are blown up here, you'll understand war. It's already started here, in my view. The Boston Blast, the 118 year old church in Iowa burnt down, The Va. Tech suicide mission, some of the fires that were started by arsonists, and The Fort Dix Six are just a few. The American Taliban member included Va. Tech in his tape to Bush. Be ever vigil and be mindful of the wind. Expect the unexpected. 

"Think American. Buy American. Be American." "Opinions aren't always truths." "A trusted shephard can lead the flock to slaughter."
June 1, 2007 11:06 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 14, 2007
The shameful part is how the liberal media and liberals in general would treat such a "message."  I remember posting Sgt. Eddie Jeffers' story, "Hope rides alone" The New Media Journal | Hope Rides Alone by Sgt. Eddie Jeffers, USA on an AOL message board, only to have it slammed by liberals as a fake.  You'll never guess the reason why they slammed it.  There is a part that says:  And when it is over and the troops come home and they try to piece together what's left of them after their service...where will the detractors be then? Where will the Cindy Sheehans be to comfort and talk to soldiers and help them sort out the last couple years of their lives, most of which have been spent dodging death and wading through the deaths of their friends? These liberal MORONS said that IF it was really written by a soldier who was really in Iraq, it would have said "WE try to piece...what's left of US after OUR service...help US sort out....years of OUR lives...deaths of OUR friends."  That's liberweenie logic for ya!

"A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders." Larry Elder
June 1, 2007 11:13 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 14, 2007
Oh gosh....I just did a search on Erich and it appears he was just killed over the weekend....The Iraq Page - Erich S. Smallwood  Bless you Erich and thank you.  Rest in peace!

"A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders." Larry Elder
June 1, 2007 11:13 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 14, 2007
Sorry jimmied....I didn't see your opening sentence.

"A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders." Larry Elder
June 3, 2007 10:32 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 6, 2007
You know the thing that strikes me is SPC Erich Smallwood wrote this months ago.The battalion he is in was going on regular patrols at that time.The member of the battalion that I know was telling me at the time that they looked forward to the patrols.They understand/understood their mission! He told me they were nervous to say the least,scared to put it best.These guys range in age from 18 to 40"years of age.I believe some officers are older.Like I have said before,if people want the war over,get behind the troops and their effort!!!They know the difference between support and rhetoric!!!!

"The only thing necesary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"Edmond Burke.
June 3, 2007 11:03 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 2, 2007
Jimmied, I copied and emailed your initial post to all in my address book. I know this unit well, having served a year in D co. in Paragould upon my ETS from active duty. A good friend of mine is the D co. first sergeant now
June 5, 2007 07:54 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 24, 2007
In Nam the average ages of men on patrol was 18-40 just as jimmied alluded to about "patrols" in Iraq. I volunteered for "permanent patrol duty" with six of my bros. We wanted to "make contact" at first. After our "hands were tied"( having to radio in to request permission to return fire)  we avoided contact. A few times we "shot the radio" and returned fire anyway. I'm of the opinion that "War-enforcement" should be left to the troops on the ground, not the politicians in their mansions.

"Think American. Buy American. Be American." "Opinions aren't always truths." "A trusted shephard can lead the flock to slaughter."
June 5, 2007 09:34 AM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 6, 2007
Remarkable! Just wish his feelings could be instilled into all Americans. With that kind of resolve we could speed this conflict up and put a quicker end to it for sure. We'd once again fully be the America that people fear, respect, and adore.
June 5, 2007 02:10 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 6, 2007
Right on Gerald47,A good deep down respect.An admiration not only of foriegn origin,but of it's own people.I am not  ashamed to be an American.While my leaders may not always do what is right for our country,we are still the best,strongest and richest in the world!!!

"The only thing necesary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"Edmond Burke.
June 5, 2007 04:28 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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March 2, 2007

Our WWII vets are dying at a rate of about 1,000 a day. They will soon all be gone. Korean and Viet Nam vets (of which I'm one) still find themselves attacked and degraded by the liberal element whose most difficult choice in life was whether to drive a Porche or a Mercedes. Our Gull War vets are still fighting for recognition from the V.A. and the government. Regardless of your position on Iraq, always remember these men and women are the finest we have to offer and we should tolerate no criticism of them. My Viet Nam experiences may give me some perspective on what they are encountering but it is fraught with new and different dangers and I can't adequately express  my respect and admiration for them.



"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom." Thomas Paine
June 5, 2007 04:33 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 6, 2007
An All Volunteer Force!!Kind of speaks for itself,doesn't it?While the MEN in past conflicts and wars had to be drafted because of casualties and less men joining.They still fought and deserve RESPECT!

"The only thing necesary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"Edmond Burke.
June 5, 2007 04:39 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
March 2, 2007

Have to tell this story:

I was at Walmart last week and got into a conversation with a young man who looked like he had been in a knock down drag out bar fight. I had asked him if he felt alright because he seemed a little disoriented. He told me he had been back from Iraq for about a month. Both his eyes were blackened and he had healing wounds on his face and head. I told him how much I appreciated his service because I was a Viet Nam vet. His eyes lit up and he asked me about my experiences and then asked to shake my hand. He then thanked me for MY service. How can you not love these people?



"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom." Thomas Paine
June 5, 2007 04:41 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 6, 2007
DWG1950,That kind of respect gets you in the gut!I just got huge lump in my throat.May GOD richly bless our troops!!

"The only thing necesary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing"Edmond Burke.
June 5, 2007 05:08 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
February 14, 2007
Amen and ditto jimmied.  And DWG....welcome home and thank you!!

"A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders." Larry Elder
June 5, 2007 05:15 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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March 2, 2007

Patsy

Thanks. And inform anyone who asks why we say "Welcome Home" to each other. Don't want these men and women to deal with what we have.



"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom." Thomas Paine
June 5, 2007 05:25 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
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February 14, 2007
Absolutely!!  I go out of my way to welcome home and say thank you to ANY and EVERY vet I meet, regardless of time of service, regardless what battle or station he or she served in.  I cringe to this day remembering how my husband and other VietNam era vets were treated and it won't happen again if I have anything to say about it!

"A woman who demands further gun control legislation is like a chicken who roots for Colonel Sanders." Larry Elder
June 5, 2007 05:34 PM    View printable version     Link to this comment   
Member Since:
June 3, 2007
There are a lot of people out there that DO NOT appreciate what our troops are doing-----my dad was in Vietnam--and he did not come home to a "welcome wagon" ---We must not let that happen again---we must support our troops and care for them.  Over 50% of our homeless are veterans.  Thanks to Erich and thanks to my daddy!

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