Iraq – Desert Shield To Present Update:

34 Years In Iraq

In the news:

Will there ever come a time when newspeople ask if there is any military emergency, national emergency, draft, or declaration of war, linked to the movement of National Guard troops to an overseas location?

Associated Press Dec 31, 2024

Army National Guard Soldier from Indiana Dies in Non-Combat Incident in Iraq

Task & Purpose Dec 23, 2024

More than 4,500 US troops are spending Christmas in Iraq and Syria, according to Pentagon figures

“The Pentagon has admitted that at least 1,100 more US troops are deployed to Iraq and Syria than had been previously acknowledged.”

Working to stabilize the region since 1990 Operation Desert Shield

In the news:

Jan 21, 2004 Military.com

US Troops in Iraq Getting Evaluated for Traumatic Brain Injuries After Iran-Backed Militia Attack

Commandant of the Marine Corps tells us:

“For 249 years, Marines have served as our Nation’s sentinels of freedom.”

“Twenty years ago this month, Marines fought and won the Second Battle of Fallujah, a brutal, grinding house to house fight, whose victory ultimately paved the way for the stabilization of the Republic of Iraq.”

A US Armed Forces recruiting crisis has been in place. How do lies and propaganda Re: overseas military operations relate to attracting new recruits?

Decades after the lessons of Vietnam, the Pentagon seems to specialize in undeclared/unwon wars.

Understandable why young people & their parents & grandparents would take a dim view on all this.

Elected officials, newspeople, sports announcers and high level DOD civilians speak of the US Armed Forces as if they function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.

The idea that the US Armed Forces are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms is repeated many times over.

The reality is that American freedoms may come and go and appear to be completely unrelated to military operations/US Troops in distant lands, or the Sound of Freedom.

Freedom?

Both major parties are OK with federal prohibition of alcohol and tobacco for adults age 18-20.

No such thing the day I graduated from high school.

That was before decades of military operations for your freedoms.

More Discussion Please

Both major parties tell us The Troops are sent to distant lands to defend American rights and freedoms.

CNN Nov 11, 2023

Biden honors Americans who ‘stood on the front lines of freedom’ in Veterans Day remarks

Sorry, no newspeople available to ask:

Mr President,

Going back to the 1990 Operation Desert Shield,

How would American freedoms today be any different if US troops were never sent to Iraq?

Real newspeople may ask:

What does any of this have to do with defending the Constitution of the United States?

May 28, 2020 WMAR

Salisbury Mayor deploying to Africa with Maryland National Guard

“I am honored to do my part to ensure that the citizens of this community and all Americans remain safe and free.”

Several news sources published this quote. View them here.

The idea that sending hometown troops to Africa would be linked in any way with keeping the people of Salisbury Maryland safe and free calls for more discussion.

Mayor Day,

While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.

Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?

December 21st 2019 KOMO News

Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide

“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”

The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.