It's amazing what TV and propoganda has done to this country.

My brother in law served over in Iraq as a Sergeant. He was in charge of a 15 man platoon.

He was not allowed to stand duty in front of a building where the media may see him. The reason,,,,,,, he is not tall enough for TV. Being 5'6" he was not allowed to be filmed on camera or in any pictures. The "Army" and "Media" and I'm sure the "Administration" did not want the rest of the "world" to think we are not strong because a few of the members were "short".

Oh, and get this. While in the desert sweating, with limited water, no body armor (because this wasn't important), their uniforms always needed to be clean and ridden of "salt stains" from sweating, just in case there was a photo-op along the way.

Things that make you go hmm.....

I was over there for 16 months and I can say the only time we had any news media was at the on set when the planes were being loaded up. After that, the new could care less about the AF. All the embedded reporters were with the Army and Marines. There was a few interviews with my guys while with the Army and/or Marine units, but they never made it to air from what I was told. Most of the reporters could not figure out why an Airman was stationed with them. Several tried to explain that they were either Combat Controllers or TACP and explain what they did, but were blown off. As for keeping our uniforms clean, good luck, we were lucky if we changed to clean uniforms once a week.

He was in the 82nd Airborne out of Ft. Bragg. The news followed them around everywhere, and believe it or not he had to keep his uniform spotless. I believe he had 3 uniforms, of which they wanted him to wear for one day each. He once wore a uniform for two days and was scolded by the commander. He went 4 months without protective body armor when they first arrived.

I work here in Baiji up north about 3 hours from BAghdad. The troups have done a great job for us.

Thank you,
Shawn

Who cares what the media thinks or does, I as an American really APPRECIATE what you fine men and women are putting up with and if I could I would thank you in person to shake your hand!!!! Some Librials think I'm nuts when I stop a person on leave in uniform at the grocery store or gas station to shake there hand, not one did not thank me back.

Amen, Brother !!! Amen. God Bless them All and show them respect. Dave

That would be the body armor that Kerry voted against.