They died taking Ramadi ... and now it is lost. Your thoughts?

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Mon, 25 May 2015 00:28:07 -0400

For years, U.S. troops — particularly veterans of America's long and costly war in Iraq — have learned the uniquely modern military skill of separating their own pride in service from their personal views about the broader "success" of the military campaign in which they're asked to fight.

Rightly so, as the long-term impact of U.S. military operations and the positive impact on American interests is difficult to discern through the smoke, haze and myopic vantage point of the battlefield.

Nevertheless, the Iraqi army's defeat in Ramadi last week surely came as gut-wrenching news for many of the troops and veterans who fought there during the eight-year Iraq War that officially ended in 2011.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/2015/05/24/nine-years-on-ramadi-still-matters-to-troops-vets-families/27777735/

Nine years on, Ramadi still matters to troops, vets, families

For years American troops and Iraq veterans in particular have learned the uniquely modern military skill of separating their own pride in service

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 25 at 2015 12:38 AM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 25 May 2015 00:38:50 -0400

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad It saddens and frustrates me.

Iraq was mess, when we initiated the surge in 2006, retaking all the territory we had taken previously, but withdrew from. We took it all back, and over 1000 US service members died in an Al Anbar. In Nov 2007 it was a different place; all was good.

Then we left again, and it seems like it was all for nothing.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made May 25 at 2015 1:54 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Mon, 25 May 2015 01:54:19 -0400

It seems like we all lost people there. I was just talking with a friend about this. We were there and we did everything we could for the mission to succeed. But we can't hold ourselves responsible for everything that goes to crap after we are long gone. I'm sitting here watching Hamburger Hill on tv and seeing the 101st go up and down the same hill and then give it right back. Madness. But what were they supposed to do, occupy 100,000 hills all over the country and set up defenses? The only perfect way I know how to fight any war is to avoid fighting it at all costs. I'm tired of hating myself for living, and tired of cursing everyone in a suit who sent us there. We did what we were ordered to do and we fought like hell to bring as many home alive as we could. I'll see you at the reunion and we can share a toast to the fallen. Plato said that only the dead have seen the end of war. I used to think that was a pretty cool quote when I was a young punk, but now I finally get what the man was thinking.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 25 at 2015 8:26 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 25 May 2015 08:26:46 -0400

It is a microcosm of what happens when blood is spilled in support of ill defined strategy. Without clear, achievable and measurable national policy goals war is a grinding, hazy thing subject to lots of loss, and little reward.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made May 25 at 2015 8:37 AM

1LT William Clardy — Mon, 25 May 2015 08:37:05 -0400

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad, not to be insensitive, but it's an old and recurring story.

Ever hear of a place on the Perfume River called Hue?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0H16tr0cuk

Battle of Hue City

MOOVYGROOVY's shared video file.