Back from Iraq

A student at George Washington University talks about his experience in Iraq:

GW student Todd Bowers knows plenty about leaving college to help Iraq rebuild. In between working on his degree at GW, Bowers has served two tours of duty in Iraq with the U.S. Marine Corps - one from January to September 2003 and another from August 2004 to March 2005. Bowers said he only had a few days to prepare for his deployment in January 2003, which is two months before combat began in Iraq."

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All you wanted to do (while you were there) was hang out with your friends," he said, adding that his experience in Iraq, however, was positive. He said it was "surreal at times, something like a Vietnam War movie," but said he felt compelled enough to volunteer for a second tour.

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"You miss it," he explained. "Life just doesn't seem as exciting." Bowers said that his experience is not unique. Many of the guardsmen that Austin will be traveling with also volunteered to be sent for a second deployment.

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...Bowers, who is currently living in Foggy Bottom and enrolled in classes at GW, added, however, that he has been publicizing his experience for more reasons than just the lack of equipment. He also wishes to explain to others his perspective of what is happening in Iraq and why he thinks that now is not the time to pull out the troops. He said he has not ruled out the option of a third tour of duty."

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The majority of veterans think we should stay the course. It's not just for national security, but for the Iraqi people," Austin agreed, adding, "if we up and left now, we'd be in terrible shape."

It's always interesting to me that it seems the people who have actually been to Iraq tend to be more supportive of the mission than the American people at large. Makes you wonder.