Say Hello, Say Goodbye

by clorenz1 | January 11, 2007 at 04:50 pm

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As US troop levels are being raised, Great Britain troop levels continue to be lowered, returning home to family and friends.

In contrast, state side reservist units will be sent off by family and friends as they head to Iraq. As well many reservists all ready stationed in Iraq will see their time line extended after President Bush announced his plans to raise troop levels.

There is no doubt that the stress of seeing loved ones coming and going makes for a trying time for soldiers and their families in both countries.

Across Minnesota, families of Guard members who are going to be staying in Iraq longer than they'd hoped expressed a mixture of disappointment and pride Thursday.

Stroud's father, Rod Stroud, of Dalton, had hoped that the extension would be for only 30 to 60 days. The father exclaimed "oh for crying out loud" when he found out Thursday it would be twice as long. He said his son didn't know how long the extra tour would be when he e-mailed him earlier in the morning.

"He said that most people over there are kind of unhappy about it, but they're going to do what they have to do," Rod Stroud said.

Blair's government, America's top ally in the war, cautiously endorsed U.S President George W. Bush's plan, but said it won't match the U.S. commitment by sending any new troops of its own.

And in Russia, senior Defence Ministry official Vladimir Shamanov said the additional U.S. forces for Iraq "won't be able to radically change the situation with ensuring peace and security in this country."

He said the main weakness of the White House plan announced Wednesday is that it sends most of the additional troops to Baghdad. ``Without firm authority in the provinces, it's not possible to establish law and order in the country," Shamanov told the ITAR-Tass news agency.