The following, written by Reggie Rivers, was sent to me from a few News Lists I belong to, some of you might also have received it and read Reggie’s words, but Did You Search Out The Series he’s writing about. I did and below are the photo’s and briefs, along with the links to the articles mentioned, making up the week long series. Each one has a Flash Presentation as well as some with a few other links.
Read all of Reggie’s Commentary first than Visit the Reality of these Returning Iraqi Vets!!
By Reggie Rivers
This week, The Denver Post has run a front-page series profiling soldiers returning from Iraq. Their stories were sad and powerful, and they illustrate the varied backgrounds and experiences of our troops.
The series puts a human face on the suffering caused by the war and reveals just how small a stake most of us have in the Iraqi conflict. We’re not being asked to pay a special war tax. We don’t have to ration anything. We’re not seeing our brothers, sons, fathers and uncles drafted into the service. And most of us don’t have a loved one in Iraq or Afghanistan.
While the war rages on the other side of the globe, we simply live our uninterrupted lives.
When the troops come home, many of them say they are shocked by how little concern the public has for the war and the soldiers fighting it.
“People were so oblivious, they didn’t even care,” Spec. Elizabeth Spradlin said of her return to Colorado Springs. “They didn’t even talk about the war.”
Despite our rhetoric about supporting the troops, our actions suggest a deep indifference. Maybe that’s because the war doesn’t cost us anything or provide any entertainment for us. We care about the NFL playoffs, because
Two years ago, I wrote a column in which I referred to U.S. soldiers as “slaves.” The column was not well received. Most people believed that I was denigrating the troops. My point was that our perception of the average soldier is off the mark. We think of these men and women as volunteers who signed up for military service and are therefore willing to fight. As long as we believe that, we won’t worry much about the impact the war is having on them and their families.
Former Bronco Reggie Rivers (reggierivers2002@yahoo.com) is the host of “Global Agenda” Wednesdays at 9:30 p.m. on KBDI-Channel 12. His column appears every Friday.
Staff Sgt. Caleb Dillon swings his 4-year-old daughter, Kailynn, outside their home at Fort Carson. Dillon returned from Iraq in July. Also profiled in this series are, clockwise from top left: Spec. Justin Williams, Spec. Elizabeth Spradlin, Spec. Corey Quintanilla and Spec. Jeff Englehart. (Post / Craig F. Walker)
‘Daddy’ carries the torch
Article Launched: 01/08/2006 01:00:00 AM
Staff Sgt. Caleb Dillon balances family and his military service
By Erin Emery
Denver Post Staff Writer
^^^^^^^^
Three-year-old Aleeya Williams prays before a meal while her dad, Army Spec. Justin Williams, stands over her in their Fort Carson home. Williams spent a year in Iraq, but by the time he returned, the only constant in his family was his love for his little girls, Aleeya and Jewels, 2. (Post / Craig F. Walker)
In search of a new life, family
Article Launched: 01/09/2006 01:00:00 AM
Spec. Justin Williams left a wife and two kids when he shipped out for Iraq. When he returned, he was divorced and headed for single fatherhood. But not for long.
By Erin Emery
Denver Post Staff Writer
^^^^^^^^
Elizabeth Spradlin walks the labyrinth at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs and meditates, an activity that has helped her cope with frustrations in the aftermath of her military service in Hungary, the Balkans and Iraq. She first trained as a medic but was posted with the military police. (Post / Craig F. Walker)
Medic-MP still taking care
Article Launched: 01/10/2006 01:00:00 AM
Elizabeth Spradlin joined the Army National Guard thinking she’d get some travel and an education. She got both, plus an unhealthy dose of frustration. She’s still learning how to navigate the maze of postwar life while helping others.
By Erin Emery
Denver Post Staff Writer
^^^^^^^^
Jeff Englehart works on his computer outside a Colorado Springs coffee shop in November. While he was stationed in Iraq, he and other GIs shared their experiences and thoughts on a Web log. Since leaving the Army as a specialist, the Grand Junction native has devoted himself to speaking out against the war. (Post / Craig F. Walker
GI puts war into words
Article Launched: 01/11/2006 01:00:00 AM
By Erin Emery
Denver Post Staff Writer
^^^^^^^^
Spec. Corey Quintanilla and his wife, Tatiana, relax on the couch and watch TV in Colorado Springs as their daughter, Leah, 9 months, rests nearby. After a year-long tour of duty in Iraq, Quintanilla is happiest staying at home watching light-hearted programs and movies, but concerns about his daughter s health and his future employment intrude. (Post / Craig F. Walker)
At ease, but still uneasy
Article Launched: 01/12/2006 01:00:00 AM
After the tensions of his tour of duty, Spec. Corey Quintanilla just wanted to get out of the Army and relax with his wife and new daughter, but his return meant trading in one set of worries for another.
By Erin Emery
Denver Post Staff Writer