My husband, Sgt. McFadden, is one of the army reservists of the 310th Military Police Battalion, who were activated in January, 2003. He was then sent to Ft. Dix, NJ to begin his training for this deployment. After about a month and a half of wondering, worrying and waiting a decision was finally made and the 310th departed for Iraq this April.
The key point, my husband is a reservist; he did not join the Military to make this his full time career. He joined to serve his country and to help his family in the process. My husband has a civilian career; he also has a loving, devoted family which includes his two children. I do not understand how our government can justify taking these men and women away from their normal, civilian lives for such an extended period of time. Not only are they loosing precious time with the people they love but our men and women are loosing their lives in the process.
We are expected, as Americans, to understand that this is what happens after we step in and try to help those who do not want or appreciate are help? We are expected, as Americans, to except this fact and say this is the how we liberate those who are less fortunate than us?
I truly believe that our men and women do not deserve to loose their lives for this. Our men and women are supposed to be rebuilding Iraq and obviously these people do not want our help. All I see, all I hear is how many men and women have lost their lives especially when the "war" is over.
How do I keep my children away from the news anymore? How do I explain to my children not to worry about their father when a tour that was suppose to be a year from the day he was activated turns into 18 - 24 months. How is this fair for them? How is this fair for my husband who not only has to worry about staying alive but has to worry about his family half way across the world? How is this fair for me to worry about him, our children, how I am going to keep our family unit together as well as working a full time job in the process to make ends meet?
I am not saying I disagree with the mission we are on. I am extremely proud of our Armed Forces. They continue to do an outstanding job everyday. I am extremely proud of my husband who continues to get up every morning go above and beyond to carry out his duties and still finds the time to make sure his family is okay. I feel that these "troops" have earned the right to be people again. They deserve to become a part of their family�s lives again.
I hope and pray you can see the urgency of this matter. Iraq no longer needs our husbands, fathers, mothers, and wives on the other hand we do!
Please help me in my quest. It�s time to bring our loved ones home.
Sincerely,
Theresa McFadden
