Four MORE soldiers....GONE. October toll *91*

[Bluebear]

:cry:

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) — The U.S. military on Tuesday announced the deaths of four U.S. troops in fighting in Iraq, raising to 91 the number of American forces killed this month.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2006/10/24/2115278-ap.html

[babylonsister]

1. I thought Ramadan was over. What's Rummy's excuse now?

:-(

[TahitiNut]

2. Highest month's death rate (3.9/day) since January 2005 (4.1/day).

Sure is a great war ... for the political necrophiles of the Ghoulish Old Privateers. :puke:

[King Coal]

3. In the first four years of Vietnam we had 1864 KIA's.

In 3 years and 7 months of the Iraq war, how many soldiers have been killed? 2800?

[Solly Mack]

4. There are always worried looks on the faces of spouses on

military posts - and since 2003 that has increased dramatically. But I gotta say, this month has seen an increase in stress levels all over post. I can only speak for the post I live on - but the faces are drawn and they're tired.

We had a spousal suicide at the end of September. Young wife - barely 21. She hanged herself.Husband was deployed. We are now averaging 3 attempts a month post wide. That's just the spouse rate for one post - a small post. Now multiply that world wide.

When death increases "down range", the stress back home can be deadly.

This "war" isn't just killing troops. It's destroying their families too.

[babylonsister]

5. Damnit. No one ever talks about the toll it's taking on families.

I didn't realize the realities of suicide attempts on bases. :cry:

[Solly Mack]

8. We don't much talk about it among ourselves (on post)

Because it could be us. That's a scary thought.

That could be me.

Sure, we see the infomercials on suicide prevention and we see the infomercials for couseling...and we even talk about "so and so" tried to kill herself, or did kill herself, in small groups of friends...but at the back of our minds is the knowledge that "this could be me"...and it scares the shit of you. You don't want to it to be you. So that fear...you just don't voice it. You're afraid voicing it will give it power. And yeah, the opposite is true...voicing the fear drains it's power...but at night when you're alone in the house and you haven't heard from your soldier in days and the news speaks of multiple deaths - that fear can eat you alive.

When that phone rings and your bowels turn to water or when the doorbells rings and you can't breathe...and this is your life every single day...you harbor thoughts that are just too horrible to think about much less talk about.

It's hard to draw spouses out on this topic...because of the fear. "It could be me"

It just gets to be too much for some people - and they snap...

[babylonsister]

10. Solly, that sounds so horrible. Thank you for bringing the

realities home. My husband is a vet, but retired from the Coast Guard and never had to serve during a war. Now when I pray for the soldiers, I'll be praying for their families as well.

[Imagevision]

11. 91 more families and still no plan? just stay there until they run out of bullets?

[Straight Shooter]

14. War is hell on the homefront, too. n/t

[Rex]

6. Meanwhile we have four strike groups heading for Iran.

It looks in no way, shape or form like the BFEE is planing to step down. IMO, they are getting ready to ramp up the violence. Cause a lot more harm.

[Vinca]

7. This is insanity. They have to get rid of Rumsfeld and scrape

up someone with more of a plan that stroking his own ego. The worst part is their electioneering is delaying anything that might be done, so soldiers are dying for Karl Rove's sake.

[independentdude]

9. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

dontcha remember? "It is worth it...."

:puke:

[Keepontruking]

12. Ouch

My son is there against my wishes and probably his now!!!!! 
This is Plain out murder of our young men by our
government!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   Circus Girl

[Bluebear]

13. I am so sorry, KOT. Safe wishes for your son. :(

[w8liftinglady]

15. I feel for you,sister

My boy did three tours over there...now he's a contrator over there.Let's hope both of them get home safely.

[UrbScotty]

16. May they rest in peace.