South Korea has around 37,000 American troops stationed there who have been there since the end of the Korean War. Since moving here I've gotten to know some of them and talked to alot of them since moving here as the only English speakers tend to either be English teachers or American GIs. It's pretty interesting talking to them. One of my friends has gotten engaged to an American infantryman and we've all been hanging around with him and his friends for the past few months. Most of his friends have some college education, all are liberals, and all are only in the army because of a stupid whim or to help pay for their education.

Anyways, one of them is being sent to Iraq. His name's Charlie and he's got a bachelors degree in Poli Sci. He joined the army because he wanted to go into special forces but they ended up putting him in infantry. He leaves for the states on Thursday (December 16) to see his parents and to go through some sort of extra training for two more weeks.

He hates the war and Bush, he doesn't have a passport to leave the country and even if he did he's marked as military so he can't go anywhere. He tried to get out of it with letters of recommendation but they're pretty much taking everyone. He's got to go there for a year and from what I hear that might be extended because they're quickly running out of men.

Before I met him, the Iraq War was a theoretical thing, far off and, although infuriating, sad and unjust, didn't have anything to do with me. Now one of my friends is going there and I'll probably never see him again.

Does anyone else know of anyone who is going to Iraq? Is it as weird for you? What does the person think about going to Iraq? Perhaps if you're an American it wouldn't be as weird, but as a Canadian I didn't think it would affect me. This is the first friend of mine who is going into combat

edit:http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/12/10/1449250

I know quite a few people who are over there. At least 2 of my cousins, that I can think of. Well, 2 of my close cousins. I have about a squillion cousins...some of whom I've never even met. But these two I grew up with. They were like a brother and sister to me, really. Recently a distant relative of mine died over there. I'd never met him. He was something like my grandpa's cousin's grandson, and only 24. Several people I went to high school with have gone over there...seems like everyone I know is close to someone or other who is over there. But it still seems very strange to me personally.

The 2 cousins I'm close to affects me most, obviously. Seems so...weird that a boy who hid under my bed and grabbed my ankles to scare me and a girl I spent countless hours playing Barbies with would be risking their lives for something I am so vehemently against. Weird and scary.

A friend of mine is seriously considering joining the army specifically because of the war, he believes serving his country in Iraq is a higher calling that he should answer. Me, I never would have thought him in a war; he's an intelligent, sensitive boy with so many possibilities, and I can't imagine him going through a combat situation and coming out unscathed emotionally, and the possibility of physical harm... He just graduated high school with me this past May, and maybe I'm selfish in the way I think, but he's too young to die like that. Ideologically he's always supported President Bush and his policies, so I suppose I shouldn't be so surprised that he finds the cause worthy enough to die for, but still... it tears at me to see him offer up his life with so much left to live for. I don't understand how anyone can do it (being a pacifist myself), but I guess someone has to... I just wish it wasn't him.

My cousin is currently there, as is my best friend who is practically my brother. It hit me pretty hard when they had to go over. I also work(ed) with three doctors who have been over there since August, and several of my classmates are there as well.

I'd have to say that it wasn't "real" until someone I love was sent there. I mean, I knew it was real and I knew people were dying over there, and I was against everything the war stood for, but it *really* hit me when I had to say goodbye.

My brother is in Iraq as we speak. He was stationed in South Korea for a while with the understanding that he would be going home permanently after his stay there (end of his contract). After getting 2 purple hearts in Korea, they told him that Bush had put a stop to those leaving the Armed Forces, and that he was going to Iraq. He was only home for about a week before they sent him to Colorado for training and then to Iraq.

He seems happy in the pictures that I get from my grandparents from where he's stationed. He's even on a web site, beers for forces, or something like that. Seeing my little brother all bulked up and tough holding an automatic weapon is a little different than growing up with him, but he's always wanted to be in the Army.

He is not a supporter of Bush, but he does serve proudly and does what he's told. He's a patriot, and patriots do what they have to do, even when it comes from someone they do not like. I salute you, Cpl. Janusz!

I guess I'm lucky in that I don't really have anyone close to me in Iraq right now, the only people I know who're out there or have been are a guy I went to school with and one of my friends brothers. He just got home yesterday and everyone was so relieved. He is part of the Black Watch and any other Brit (or Scot at least) will know all the fuss that went on with them recently (namely that the Black Watch had their tour of duty extended by months and it caused a bit of an uproar among the families who felt they deserved their sons and daughters home, the soldiers themselves took it well I thought and at the end of the day Blair kept his promise and got them home before Christmas...end rant...)

But I can't concieve of having my friends and family taken away from me at this time of year. It must be very sad, we over here are just grateful we're getting them back for the holidays and you guys are saying goodbye...

I don't know anyone personally that's out there, but friends of friends are and so on. If it was someone I knew, or was close to, I think I'd be really worried. And upset. I don't want any more people dying than those who unfortunately have already lost their lives, and sending more people just gives me the feeling we're tempting fate

I don't know anyone who has been to Iraq personally but all my family in Israel has been in the army. My uncle was very nervous at one point because my cousin was fighting in the Gaza strip. Also, lots of my friends just live normally even though Israel is almost in constant war. I don't think it's too bad having family and friends in the army and fighting because you can phone and send letters and all that. Also, because my mum and her brothers have all done the army they know what it's like and so it's easier for them.