Talked to several Irag Vets

[Pointman69]

Our Community has a three day celebration over the Memorial Day weekend. Point Man set up a booth and we had the chance to talk to a lot of Vets. Several kids back from Irag stopped by to chat. My heart went out to them, they are going through some of the same issues we did in Vietnam.

- The media is against the war and emphasizes mistakes and bad decisions.
- Much of the population have difficulty trusting US motives for being there.
- The ememy is unidentifiable and fades into the general population to avoid confrontation.
- There is no safe place or safe time.
- Our mission is to build and support a government that will take over the fight for freedom (hopefully in the near future).
-The Iraqis haven't known democracy before and it may not fit well with their culture or religion. They certainly don't want to become Americans.
- Politics are a factor that outweigh "winning the war."

One kid walked up slowly to see our displays. "You were in the military." "Yeah, how could you tell?" "You've got the look of an much older man in your eyes." We talked a few moments, he felt uncomfortable and turned to leave. I touched his arm, "If you ever want to talk to someone, it would be a privalege to hear your story." I gave him a book and my e-mail address.

Another young man came over to look at our book titles. He was so young, but he had more than curiosity in his face. "Are you in the military?"

"Yes, I'm heading to Fort Benning next week for basic." I wanted to pour out all I'd learned over the years but it wouldn't have been appropriate and there wasn't enough time.

"I have one thing to pass on to you. What you have inside will be the only thing you'll have left to make life changing decisions. You'll be thousands of mile away from home. Mom and Dad won't be looking over your shoulder. Most of your social support will be stripped away; the military mindset is very different from the rest of society. Learn what's right and hold onto it in your heart." I gave him a book from a Vietnam Veteran who learned the hard way that only God knows what's right. "E-mail me anytime you want to talk." He promised to read the book and contact me.

We are praying for these kids and the thousands like them.

Are there any thoughts out there? Any leading from the Lord? What is God doing - can we join with Him?

[danausmc]

I too , talked to several IOF Vets, and Afghan Vets also.

Some were on a pass from Walter Reed. Waiting on prosethetics and release from the hospital. To a person, each told me they would do it again with no regrets. If these young men and women are the future of our Country, we are in good hands.

Yes I agree that there is much to be done. And we already have been there. I say try and remember what kept you from "joining" a Vets group or what kept you away......and purpose in your heart not to do the same thing.

I have heard some knuckleheds already saying that "they" were in a real war and this is not as bad as they had it....sound familiar?

What did you hear when you came home? Dont repeat it to these "kids". These are men and women that have had every kind of experience you can imagine....the enemy we face is not just fighting "flesh and blood", even though that is what we see.......but a spiritual war and the "enemy" will continue to the last man and hope we give up before they run out of bodies.

I have to think about this some more.
Later

[Stickthrower]

Pointman,

I hear what you are saying about the war being the same in Iraq as in RVN. We have two young Vets in our group in Ellensburg. After one night of listening to them it was terrifying to realize that the only difference in their war and ours was location and date. Everything else was the same. That included pretty much the same nightmares, fears, and readjustment problems. Listening to them was just like an instant replay of our lives and the most frightening was the fact that they had started to walk down the same dead end roads we have traveled for years in our efforts to find peace or just even a purpose for our sacrafice. Then we listened to how they "Pulled Guard Duty" for each other so they could sleep, after trying to drown the feelings in alcohol. Talk about making you want to cry! I guess the best we can do is tell them how ineffective the methods were that we used for years before discovering that the Lord had not gone awol, we just assumed he had turned his back on us.

I just keep praying for them and trying to help them understand their feelings and the fact that God is there for them! All they have to do is ask in prayer. My main prayer is that the Lord will put the right words in my mouth at the right time when talking to them, let them know that they are not alone, and we will be there for them when they need us.

[danausmc]

Frank, I especially have trouble with the IED stories and it is exactly the same as if I was there. You can close your eyes and their stories are what you have already lived. Do you know the story of Esther in the Old Testament? She was the new Queen and she had an uncle named Mordecai.
The King had a 2nd in command named Haaman and he got the King to decree that all the Jews were to be rounded up and killed by a certain day. The King did not know Esther was a Jew. She was going to remain silent....but Mordecai talked to her and said that God had raised her up for "such a time as this" and if she did not speak up, God would send someone else and she would die.
I believe GOD has raised us up and spared us for such a time as this.....you yourself can speak with great compassion to these young men and women....you have been there...and as recently as?? see what I mean??
This is a new stage in our lives. We have life experiences that are being repeated right now among this new group of Vets. We can help. we can listen. we can pray. sort of like when Moses held his staff up and the battle went well, but when his arm sagged, the battle went downhill.....he got help from his brother and raised his staff, and held it high...the battle was won.

We can come along side this new generation and help them stand until they can stand again on their own.
(got to think some more)

[EmandNsmom]

Thank you..... All of you... For your support for us "newbies" back home. I for one have greatly been blessed by this ministry and every time I meet someone new that came back from there, I promptly tell them what God and pointman has done for my family and my life.

[EmandNsmom]

oops! looks like stef's id is still signed in. Sorry this is marcus and I used the wrong login.

[Pointman69]

Marcus - Thanks for your input and direction to other Iraq/Afgan vets. Are there more of you out there monitoring this website? Please share your thoughts.

[EmandNsmom]

Okay, this is actually Steph this time. lol :superhapp Anyway, in lieu of this post, I really do think it is time to really start addressing these men/women and their families. Thank you guys for this ministry. I never thought that 2 years ago when I found you guys that my wonderful husband would be where he is right now. Not to mention the fact that you have been open to even my ideas, instead of just scoffing me off and saying that I'm just the spouse or any other thing like that. I believe in devine appointment and meeting. I believe that God has his hand prints all over this one. Thanks again for all you guys do! May God shower you with his favor and blessing!

May the peace and joy of the Lord rain on you!
In Christ!
Stephanie

[Shawn Powell]

Steph and Marc,

It's just crabby Shawn, touching base with you guys. Hope all is well with you and your wonderful family. Been outta the net for five weeks... just giving you guys a SITREP.

God Bless.

[Don Dodson]

Please pray for the Point Man La Mesa (CA) Outpost's outreach on July 20, 2005. We are feeding 50 Marines "stationed" at the Navy Regional Medical Center - San Diego (what us VEEETNAAM guys called Balboa Hospital). They are waiting to see if they can recover enough to return to their units (which everyone of the wants to do! "Don't give me no stinking desk job!") or get rated for some kind of medical discharge. We are bringing pizza, salad, deserts and sodas. Most importantly, we are living the Gospel and telling them we care for them.

WELCOME HOME, ALL!
Don "Oboeman" Dodson
Outpost Leader
PointManMinLaMesa@NorthernTrail.NET

[Pointman69]

Don - great job! Let Jesus touch them.