First person account - Iraq

Below is a letter written by a soldier currently serving in Iraq with the U.S. Army. It was submitted to the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. It was forwarded by a fellow soldier, who asked that we spread the word about how our soldiers are affected by the politics in Washington D.C. One man's opinion, you might say. I say it must be respected.

Unfriendly fire

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

I am an infantry soldier with "Task Force Panther" from Pennsylvania. We are deployed in the Anbar Province of Iraq. I have also been a registered Democrat for 25 years. Over the years I've watched and warned that our party was falling into an abyss of absolutely reprehensible behavior.

Was the Democratic Party so afraid of a victory in Iraq, three weeks before its national election, that it would coerce its last respected member in Congress to abandon U.S. soldiers while still in the field?

How dare you, Mr. Murtha -- a Vietnam veteran -- sell out soldiers in combat right before the end of a successful mission! Your behavior is inexcusable. You should be ashamed. I am sure the terrorist insurgency is grateful to you for announcing our defeat days before yet another victory in this country. You owe every American soldier a formal apology.

You could have been remembered as distinguished member of Congress, but now you'll only be remembered as a foolish old man who sold out his country to a den of vipers in the Democratic Party. Thank you for proving once and for all that the Democratic Party is the party of the sore loser, the selfish whiner and the gutless coward. So what was the price to betray us, Judas?

May God have mercy on your soul.

Note: We the returning soldiers of this war will be the force to tell the truth about this conflict and about the despicable actions of the Democratic Party.

Sgt. Mark Russak
"B" Co. 1/110th
North Irwin

Not much doubt where he stands, is there?