I salute you for your service...  I can not dispute your testimonies, and will say that ; yes there are many cruel and unfortunate things on the field of war...  I know of some from the era of the Viet Nam conflict...  I, too know of the horrors of war and the destruction it brings...    General Robert E Lee said it well " It is good war is so horrible or else we would become fond of it!!" 

The disagreement over the term "occupation" seems to be that I see it different than yourself...  I was in over twenty different countries while in the military; including eight Islamic and do not think we occupied any of them; just because we were there!!    Occupation means to take control generally for over a long period of time...   HUH!!

I never intended this post to be a debate on the political side of Iraq; rather just to say that history will prove what was right but someone must decide what stand to make; even if it is not popular...  But to cut and run or to leave the field; Werther it is in war or sports, means defeat or loss to those who quit...  Epically to the opposing side!!    That is the message and may we all seek the truth in all decisions...  The key is to pray for direction; and then learn to follow the promptings of the spirit...

Thank you for your reply and I may not agree on all your comments but you have the right and free agency to say them...  You appear to be a well educated man, just don't let the popular ideas of the world color your outlook on life...  You may want to go back and read some of my previous blogs to see the words of wisdom I share...  

Thank you again...  Kermit