I have a word for Christ Allen.  You don't understand because you've never been there.  You only believe what the evening news wants you to believe.  These men and women of the Armed Forces are proud of what they are doing and ARE making a difference.  And they are proud and excited that the President would visit them to show how honored he is to be their Commander and Chief.  No one who has not been in or around the military could understand the importance of this simple gesture.  

What a wonderful article!!!  I am so proud of our men and women who proudly serve this country time and time again! Thank you to all of them - past, present, and future!  This nation would not be as great as it is without the amazing soldiers, marines, airmen, guard, coasties, and reservists heroes!  HOOAH!

Quite a few have mentioned sending care packages to these soldiers - please do!!  My husband is currently serving in Iraq and nothing keeps him motivated like a package from home or hand written letter.  There are tons of organizations that send packages and support our troops overseas and those that have returned home to be treated. Either contact a military base/installation near you or google 'soldier care packages' and you will be put in touch with tons of organizations within seconds :)  Don't forget too that our troops need to know they are supported not only around Christmas but every other day of the year!

God Bless our Troops!!

Thanks so much for an inspiring story about our wounded veterans.  To our soldiers: I wish I had your strength of character, determination and lack of bitterness. I am humbled by your courage.  To say "Thank you" seems so inadequate, but it comes from the bottom of my heart.

Having been to Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital I can say that seeing this is very moving.  I've sat through therapy for hours at a time, seen the most horrific after affects to people yet their spirits are the highest I can ever recall having the privilege to be in the presence of.  These troops are absolutely remarkable and their strength is admireable.  I praise each of them and pray for them daily...

This article shows heart. Bush has to look at the horror of war. He is not blind to this. No one man can be blamed for these problematic times, but each of us true Americans know that freedom is not free. It takes blood, sweat and tears. We have the freedom to be a part of the problem or part of the solution. This article points out one small victory on the home front, but we all must know that the battles of our times will hopefully be fought in the middle east instead of on our streets. We still have a war of helping the soldiers at home and the war in the middle east is not going to solve itself. I am proud of the soldiers that want to continue to contribute to our society and of an administration that would see that our ideals, as a nation, be defended.

I think we all want to flinch from responsibility when we see suffering like this.

If we disapprove of the Iraq war, we blame President Bush for deciding the soldiers should go and suffer this, and we deflect our awful sense of responsibility with anger at the president.  If we approve of the war, we try to frame it as an inevitable requirement of freedom, so really, nobody decided they should go; it just had to be.  And we deflect our awful sense of responsibility with anger at those we claim don't "support" the soldiers.

But they went there and suffered this because we ordered them to.  We the people, through our elected government.  Whether that was a good or bad decision, it was our decision, and we are responsible.

We need argument about the war, because the nation needs to figure out what it really thinks about war.  But that argument shouldn't get in the way of our responsibility to those who suffer in obedience to our orders.  We all know that, however angry we are politically.

It's just a shame it took the Presidents's visit to get the media to highlight the facility and the wonderful people there

In honor of these heroes, here is where you can donate to the the Intrepid Foundation :

Intrepid Foundation (in relation to this article)http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/fallenheroes/about/

Here are some other great organizations that also accept monetary donations, cards/letters, and care package items for our nation's heroes :

Fisher Houses (also link to other places to donate)
http://www.fisherhouse.org/

Packages from Home
http://www.packagesfromhome.org/

God Bless!

I admire the men and women who (by their own choice) joined the military with the understanding that they may at some point during their career be called upon to go to war.  As was pointed out earlier in this blog...The United States is the land of the free only because of the brave.  Freedom is never "free"...look at the price everyone at the Center for the Intrepid has paid.  Thank you to all the military for allowing me and my family our freedom.  Please keep these brave people in your prayers not only during war time but all the time.  God Bless You All!

God bless each one of these brave young men & women & President Bush. Remember 911! It is the Terrorists that attacked this Nation & yes, it was President Bush who sent our Military to the Middle East but what was the alternative?War in our homeland?It angers me that Americans seem to forget that.It furhter angers me to see how our Military has been deminished in size.We are sending the same troops on 2 & 3 tours because we have so few.We need to build our Military through increased incentives to make the Military a desired career choice. We waiste so much money in governement.Why not cut the perks to politicians, i.e. we use our own cars & pay for our own gas to go to work?Why shouldn't they?Don't we pay them enough to buy their own vehicles? Why should Politicians get rich while some of our Military are using Food Stamps just to feed their families?The money saved could be used to increase wages, benefits, & pensions for Military Service.A Nation is only as strong as it's Military. So please, let's show  our appreciation,let's get behind our Military & support them & their families.We need them & we need them strong. I pray every American soilder will enjoy peace, blessings,& happiness in all the coming holidays.  Thanks to each one of you, those injured & those still in the midst of the battle. Thanks to all who gave their lives & their families.

I keep seeing so many people posting opinions on here saying things like "Pres. Bush should be ashamed for standing with this soldier" and "It's appalling to see 'Silver spoon Bush'....etc, etc...

All in an attempt to somehow speak on behalf of these brave men and women who are currently in treatment at this facility.

Why don't you let the soldiers speak for themselves, please? You're exploiting their situation by expressing your disapproval of our President, the war in Iraq, etc, rather than expressing your sympathy for their situation, or your appreciation for their service and sacrifice.

Did you intentionally overlook the commments in the actual article? Or did you even read the entire thing?.....

"One soldier said it was a big boost for morale for Bush to come and meet them. He wanted the president to know he missed his buddies in Afghanistan and that he’s looking forward to rejoining the fight – with his one good leg."

So, please, just share your thoughts on the soldiers in the article, and quit adding all the other political garbage. There's plenty of message boards and the like for that stuff elsewhere. These incredible men and women deserve SO much better!

Bush's lack of leadership is what got us in this mess in the first place.  I feel sad for the POOR soldiers and the pain they will suffer for ever.  Bush is incapable of realizing the damage done!  He can act the part but not feel it.  If he would have had the courage to serve as others of us did, during his time he would have learned, been a better person, and would have known to make the right decision. Pushing American imperialism around the world is a huge mistake.  We have many priorities to focus on at home.  Bring our children home now!

This is just a reminder that any messages you read about sending Christmas cards to recovering soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital are FALSE.

"In these times of heightened security, mail from strangers to unnamed soldiers must for everyone's safety be discarded unopened. The U.S. Postal Service will not accept mail addressed to "Any Soldier," "Any Wounded Soldier," or the like because if it did, it could be providing a conduit for those who might do harm to armed services members."

If you want to read more, see http://www.snopes.com/politics/christmas/soldiercards.asp

Sorry to be a grinch.

Margarete

This is a wonder event and it's wonderful that the citizens took it upon themselves to ensure that this facility was built and staffed. It is unfortunate that the federal government doesn't do more for its citizens, it's citizens who have gone to war and endured so much for it's policies; who will now endure a lifetime of pain and hardship. These Warriors should be as richly rewarded as the lobbyists and cronies of the administration, if not more so. A salute to all of you that helped build such a wonderful facility and prayers to you Brothers and Sisters in Arms.

SGT. Edmund John Jeffer's last few words were some of the most touching,inspiring and most truthful words spoken since the tragedy of 9/11 - and since our ation went to war. SGT. Jeffers was a strong soldier and talented writer. He died in Iraq on September 19, 2007. He was a loving husband, brother and son. His
service was more than this country could ever grasp - but the least you can do for the man who sacrificed his life for you ... is listen to what he had to say.
Listen up and pay attention to all of the Cindy Sheehans and Al Frankens
of the world. To MSNBC, CNN, and CBS. To all who call themselves Americans ... Hope Rides Alone.


Hope Rides Alone by Eddie Jeffers  

I stare out into the darkness from my post, and I watch the city burn to the ground. I smell the familiar smells, I walk through the familiar
rubble, and I look at the frightened faces that watch me pass down the streets of their neighborhoods. My nerves hardly rest; my hands are steady on a device that has been given to me from my government for the
purpose of taking the lives of others. I sweat, and I am tired. My back aches from the loads I carry. Young American boys look to me to direct them in a manner that will someday allow them to see their families
again...and yet, I too, am just a boy....my age not but a few years more than that of the ones I lead. I am stressed, I am scared, and I am paranoid...because death is everywhere. It waits for me, it calls to me
from around street corners and windows, and it is always there.
There are the demons that follow me, and tempt me into thoughts and actions that are not my own...but that are necessary for survival. I've made compromises with my humanity. And I am not alone in this. Miles from me are my brethren in this world, who walk in the same streets...who feel the same things, whether they admit to it or not.
And to think, I volunteered for this...
And I am ignorant to the rest of the world...or so I thought.  

But even thousands of miles away, in Ramadi , Iraq , the cries and screams and complaints of the ungrateful reach me. In a year, I will be
thrust back into society from a life and mentality that doesn't fit your average man. And then, I will be alone. And then, I will walk down the streets of America , and see the yellow ribbon stickers on the cars of the same people who compare our President to Hitler.

I will watch the television and watch the Cindy  Sheehans, and the Al Frankens, and the rest of the ignorant sheep of America spout off their mouths about a subject they know nothing about. It is their right, however, and it is a right that is defended by hundreds of thousands of boys and girls scattered across the world, far from home. I use the word
boys and girls, because that's what they are. In the Army, the average age of the infantryman is nineteen years old. The average rank of soldiers killed in action is Private First Class.

People like Cindy Sheehan are ignorant. Not just to this war, but to the results of their idiotic ramblings, or at least I hope they are. They don't realize its effects on this war. In this war, there are no Geneva Conventions, no cease fires. Medics and Chaplains are not spared from the enemy's brutality because it's against the rules. I can only imagine
the horrors a military Chaplain would experience at the hands of the enemy. The enemy slinks in the shadows and fights a coward's war against us. It is effective though, as many men and women have died since the start of this war. And the memory of their service to America is tainted by the inconsiderate remarks on our nation's news outlets. And every
day, the enemy changes...only now, the enemy is becoming something new.
The enemy is transitioning from the Muslim extremists to Americans. The enemy is becoming the very people whom we defend with our lives. And they do not realize it.
But in denouncing our actions, denouncing our leaders, denouncing the war we live and fight, they are isolating the military from society...and they are becoming our enemy.  

Democrats and peace activists like to toss the word "quagmire" around and compare this war to Vietnam . In a way they are right, this war is
becoming like Vietnam . Not the actual war, but in the isolation of country and military. America is not a nation at war; they are a nation with its military at war. Like it or not, we are here, some of us for
our  second, or third times; some even for their fourth and so on.
Americans are so concerned now with politics, that it is interfering with our war. Terrorists cut the heads off of American citizens on the Internet...and there is no outrage, but an American soldier kills an Iraqi in the midst of battle, and there are investigations, and sometimes soldiers are even jailed...for doing their job.
It is absolutely sickening to me to think our country has come to this. Why are we so obsessed with the bad news? Why will people stop at nothing to be against this war, no matter how much evidence of the good
we've done is thrown in their face? When is the last time CNN or MSNBC or CBS reported the opening of schools and hospitals in Iraq ? Or the leaders of terror cells being detained or killed? It's all happening, but people will not let up their hatred of Bush. They will ignore the good news, because it just might show people that Bush was right.

America has lost its will to fight. It has lost its will to defend what is right and just in the world. The crazy thing of it all is that the American people have not even been asked to sacrifice a single thing.
It's not like World War Two, where people rationed food, and turned in cars to be made into metal for tanks. The American people have not been asked to sacrifice anything. Unless you are in the military or the family member of a service member, its life as usual...the war doesn't affect you.  But it affects us. And when it is over, and the troops come home, and they try to piece together what's left of them after their service...where will the detractors be then? Where will the Cindy Sheehans be to comfort and talk to soldiers and help them sort out the last couple years of their lives, most of which have been spent dodging death and wading through the deaths of their friends? They will be where they always are, somewhere far away, where the horrors of the world
can't touch them. Somewhere where they can complain about things they will never experience in their lifetime; things that the young men and women of America have willingly taken upon their shoulders.

We are the hope of the Iraqi people. They want what everyone else wants in life: safety, security, somewhere to call home. They want a country
that is safe to raise their children in. Not a place where their children will be abducted, raped, and murdered if they do not comply with the terrorists demands. They want to live on, rebuild and prosper.
And America has given them the opportunity, but only if we stay true to the cause, and see it to its end. But the country must unite in this endeavor...we cannot place the burden on our military alone. We must all stand up and fight, whether in uniform or not. And supporting us is more than sticking yellow ribbon stickers on your cars. It's supporting our
President, our troops and our cause.

Right now, the burden is all on the American soldiers. Right now, hope rides alone. But it can change, it must change. Because there is only
failure and darkness ahead for us as a country, as a people, if it doesn't. Let's stop all the political nonsense, let's stop all the bickering, let's stop all the bad news, and let's stand and fight!

Eddie's father, David Jeffers, writes:
I'm not sure how many letters or articles you've ever read from the genre of "News from the Front," but this is one of the best I've ever read, including all of America's wars. As I was reading this, I forgot
that it was my son who had written it. My emotions range from great pride to great sorrow, knowing that my little boy (22 years old) has become this man.  He is my hero. Thank all of you for your prayers for
him; he needs them now more than ever. God bless.  

Though Eddie is no longer with us, you can help to let his voice be heard. WE ARE AT WAR - GOD BLESS AMERICA

What a heartwarming story! And yet filled with so much irony. It is amazing to me that our government is willing to put the lives of hundreds of thousands of US soldiers on the line, and yet we have to "privately" raise money to care for only hundreds of the tens of thousands that have come back hurt/wounded.  I am ashamed.  Truly. As the daughter of a career retired army soldier, I stand proud of America, I respect our soldiers, and was taught to honor/respect our Commander in Chief.  President Bush has caused me to rethink everything I have ever known about this country, destroyed our reputation with the rest of the world, and is steadily sending our soldiers to die.  All in the name of George W. Bush.  Oh well.  At least he made HIS Dad proud.

These inspirational stories are what really make me "PROUD TO BE AMERICAN". God Bless all that have fought the fight, AND, those who support our heroic men and women. Please do add a Christmas card to your list, as it DOES make a BIG difference to those on the receiving end. SEMPER FI!!!!

It amazes me that THAT MAN had the gall to even visit our soldiers.  Who is he fooling?  He needs to do more than just acknowledge their sacrifice.  How about really showing them you care, and providing adequate medical care for them?  How about listening to the advisors that tell you that it is time to fall back and regroup?  How about APOLOGIZING to the American public, the citizens of Iran, the world for the tyranny YOU have forced us to live under the past 7 years?  How about bowing out and leaving gracefully?  Please, pretty please?

God Bless our Soldier and our Country. I have read these comments with interest and the ignorance amazes me. I have served in Iraq and I saw everyday why we were there. If you haven't been there, shut up! This little blog you responded to and the comments you made would have gotten you shot under Saddam Hussein. The Iraqi people can now do more than they ever could in the past. If you want our Soldier's safe, as I do, then get behind the war on terrorism so we can stop Iran, Syria, and all of the other countries that are sending fighters to Iraq!

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You to all you men and women who are there to help protect us.  I shall honor you forever.  My father was a world war II veteran and he never talked about his time spent in the service but I had the honor of knowing some of his friends that survived and who were his friends for life.  It wasn't until shortly before my fathers death when I went with him to one of his Worl War II reunions that I really found out and understood what he went through during that time.  Needless to say, I have the highest regards for our military people who put their life on the line for each and everyone of us. Thank you for all that you do.      

YOU MEN AND WOMEN DID YOU DUTY, AND I ADMIRE YOUR STRENGTH AND YOU COURAGE, SEND ME A LETTER ANYTIME.

John from San Antonio is really drinking the Kool Aide "Thanks to our President for taking the time out to meet the men and women working hard to recover." This demented childlike king we foolishly elected has an obligation to meet and care for the men and woman he sent into harms way! John makes it sound like we should be grateful that our glorious leader has shown great benevolence by allowing time out of his day to be taken up by seeing the injured pawns he sent off to fight. It is really galling, especially when one remembers the quality of Mr. Bush's military service!

It's interesting to read several of these posts.  I served with several of the service members that have received treatment from facilities such as this one.  I am back over in Iraq for a third time.  I am not complaining.  I am doing my job.  I volunteered for the military, as did everyone else that is currently in uniform.  I will tell you that I am sick and tired of hearing from Monday morning quarterbacks on this war and on the performance of the President.  If you think you can do a better job, than get off your overweight rear and do something.  The President at least took the time to visit the service members, which is more than most of you can say about actions taken for "your" country.  As service members, all we want to hear is a possible thanks, not your political snivelling.  "Acta non verba"

As a senior sailor entering my final tour of duty, I am forced to recognize that soon I may well be past not only my usefulness, but my relevance as well. Being human I am tempted to sit back and say I did my time now it’s someone else’s turn.
But I remember all to well what it is like to answer the call to duty. I remember the pain in my heart every time I had to part with loved ones knowing that I was going to miss irretrievable moments in their growing lives. I recall all too vividly the uncertainty and the foreboding that precedes a venture into treacherous parts of the world in search of those who wish to do harm to my loved ones, my countrymen and myself.
I cannot disregard the fact I am proud to be doing it. I feel privileged to be given the honor as well as the responsibility of defending my nation the greatest nation in the history of the world.  And one more thing I cannot recall a time that I ever felt my nation was asking too much of me. Until now……
ARE WE ASKING TOO MUCH OF TOO FEW?  I cannot help but wonder if we are not asking too much of those who will assume the watch in my stead. I see young sailors and marines going off to Iraq and Afghan for their third tours and wonder who will assume the leadership roles for which they were preparing for.  I see and know too many families left behind to endure even more separation and wonder how much we can reasonably expect from these young people how long can we count on them to continue to serve continue to sacrifice.
 I am in absolute awe of these patriots who answer the call to duty again and again. I understand why they do it but I do not honestly know how they do it.  The problem is not that we are asking for sacrifice. There is nothing new in that. It is that we are asking for so much sacrifice from a select few the few who have volunteered when we ask so little of our citizens.
 The problems are that conscription is not a vote getter it does not put money in anyone’s pocket it raises complicated questions.  It asks the average American to step outside their comfort zone and do more than they have become complacently used to doing.   But there is a calculus here that can no longer be denied we seem to have found most of the viable volunteers we are going to find. Pay raises and even patriotism have been tapped out.
Remember we are not shirkers we are the people who have volunteered while fellow countryman have shopped at the mall, we have served often under arduous circumstances away from loved ones while the rest of the country goes on about daily normal lives. I am committed to serve and if asked at retirement I would gladly serve again.  Too few of American citizens are as committed to the cause of continued freedom as our enemies are committed to ending it. So we are forced to turn to the finite number of volunteers and ask them to shoulder more and more of the burden, knowing that reinforcements are not forthcoming. We ask them those who have stepped forward to preserve a world for the rest who hold back.  
 I for one am embarrassed I am ashamed to look this minority in the eye and ask them to do more while the rest of the nation sits by idly.  Yet my turn is quickly coming. Just around the corner there is a final chapter to my biography as a United States Sailor.  I intend to continue wearing my patriotism on my sleeve as I have carried a Petty Officer Chevron for nearly 20 years.  "Love hath no greater man than this, that he lay down his
life for his friends".  

Our soldiers are heroes, willing to fight and die for an unjust cause.

Our president and his cronies are self serving cowards.

John from San Antonio is really drinking the Kool Aide "Thanks to our President for taking the time out to meet the men and women working hard to recover." This demented childlike king we foolishly elected has an obligation to meet and care for the men and woman he sent into harms way! John makes it sound like we should be grateful that our glorious leader has shown great benevolence by allowing time out of his day to be taken up by seeing the injured pawns he sent off to fight. It is really galling, especially when one remembers the quality of Mr. Bush's military service!

An American Veteran is someone who at one point in his/her life writes a blank check to the United States of Ameerica for an amount of "up to and including my life."
That is the Honor that we as American Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Airmen accept when we WILLFULLY enlist into our great military services.
There are way too many in this country who no longer understand that.
Being a retired Navy Chief I knew when I joined that I too could end up like one of these Hero's.  If it wasn't for people like us you wouldn't be able to bad mouth OUR President.  Instead we would probably be speaking German or Japanese.
President Bush should hold his head up high along with every member of our Congress for sending us over there and ridding the world of a Tyrant.
This article was not about President and the BS red tape it takes to build something like this.  
IT WAS ABOUT OUR HERO'S.
Get over President Bush sending us there as that was him doing his JOB and protecting the United States of America.

first of all let me say thank you for keeping us a free nation to all of our soldiers.Then for those of you who call this President Bush's war,It was bin laden who started this war with his 911 attack on America.The war was brought to us on our soil.We had no choice but to fight back in Afghanistan ,Iraq and anywhere else that was supporting the enemies of our country.Bush,Clinton,obama,it wouldn't matter who was president,if we had not fought back they would still be bombing us.

" Get over President Bush sending us there as that was him doing his JOB and protecting the United States of America. "


Sure, if you believe that corruption, incompetence, and outright lies are in the best interest of the American people.

The man should be impeached.  Cheney too.

God bless all of them.

I wish the media would try and bring more positive attention to soldiers. (wounded or not)

These men and women face certain danger every minute of their lives out in the middle-east and we should support them in every possible way.

No doubt, these are the finest citizens of our country, because they willingly lay down their lives for the safety of others.

My prayers go out to all our brave men & women who have sacrificed so much. I have never supported this war, or the poor leadership that put our young men & women in such a horrific situation. A facility such as this is a wonderful accomplishment, but where is our government with the funding.  More to the point did Bush drop off a donation on his visit.

I saw some comments about sending mail to a "wounded soldier" at Walter Reed.  According to truthorfiction.com (http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/s/support-the-troops.htm) the hospital has a strict policy about only delivering mail that is addressed to specific soldiers by name.  Furthermore, the U.S. Postal service has stopped delivering such mail.  If you want to thank the troops or offer support, the website suggests going to americasupportsyou.mil.  I went to the site myself, and there are a plethora of ways to help the troops, including sending a message through the website and connecting to a homefront group.  To get started, I suggest going to the help page at http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/americasupportsyou/help.html, which links you to other pages depending on what you want to do.  I appreciate wanting to thank and support these men and women, but it would be much better to do it in a way that allows them to actually get your message.

My heart bleed to see men women suffering in rehabe center.
I wish we could feel the pain for men women and children who are also suffering in the other parts of the world, they are also humen.
Do we pray for them too..... just a thought.....

PEOPLE NEED TO REMEMBER EVERYONE THERE TOOK AN OATH, THAT THEY LIVE AND BREATHE BY. NO ONE TOLD THEM TO JOIN, THIS IS WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN AND WE SHOULD HONOR THAT.  THEY ARE THE BRAVE ONES THAT ARE KEEPING THIS COUNTRY SAFE.

It may not be a matter of proving one is tough - after a while, you simply have to stop crying to regain sanity.

Many are still in their 20s and 30s - they have decades ahead of them.

They are all providing morale support for each other.

I propose that we pass a law that before any military action is ordered by any government, all those who vote for conflict must send a direct family member into front line combat.  Let's see how fast the Iraq war ends if George and Laura had to send their beloved Jenna to the front lines.  Yes these soldiers are heroes all.  But their sacrifice is wasted on this undeserving idiot we have in the White House.

This is a highly inspirational story about the character of the men and women of our military; not to mention the people who made the donations to the Center.

A sarcastic "thank you" goes out to those people using this story to make political statements.  

My fiance served in Afghanistan, and when he and his crew came home, I saw firsthand the damage that is done to these soliders while in combat - both physically and mentally. I can't wait until November 2008 when we elect a new president, and January 09 when that person takes office - it'll be a day of celebration in this country. The president should be ashamed of himself for showing his face at that center. Our troops are the bravest people in the nation, volunteering to help maintain our freedom, and the president has done nothing but betray them.

Our troops are the best in the world and God Bless them all, including those who have been wounded.  If all the negative notes and the energy spent on those notes were channeled into help for our soldiers what a difference there would be.  Instead of playing the “blame” game how about sending a note, letter or card to one of our wonderful soldiers who are in the hospital.  To the Americans who have such hatred in their hearts for our President and his administration, take a few minutes of your time each week and do something nice for one of our troops or one of their families. How about donating money? There are many organizations helping our troops and may be found on the internet.  Every private citizen has a public responsibility to help our fighting men and women.   They are the reason you are able to say and write such “ugly” comments.

God Bless America and President Bush. Please heal all our wounded soldiers and bring all others home safely.

Thank you for the wonderful article on these soldiers.

It is very fitting that I came across this article today as I attended a Veterans day assembly at my ten year old son's school. I am 59 years old and I served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968. I witnessed first hand the wounds our troops suffered in that god forsaken war and survived to face years of pain. It was difficult to keep the tears away while we sang "God Bless America". It is a shame that this President and his administration did not heed the history that we find ourselves repeating when it comes to conflict. General Mccarthur said it best and it still holds today that no one abhors war more than a soldier for he knows he may pay the ultimate  sacrifice.

Thank You  all for your courage and sacrifices. I heard that Denzel Washington made a large donation to the faciltity. It's nice to know that not everyone in Hollywood are disgraces to our country. Keep up your spirit and hard work on your long road to recovery, and remember we are proud of you all!

All government should close all borders and bring all the brave volunteers in the armed forces home to protect those borders. Use these same brave people to round up and weed out all the bad apples and send them back to their perspective countries. Peace should be obtained and protected from home.

Our President should be ashamed of himself!  We as a nation need to stand up and take care of our own.  My husband is retired Army and my daughter is in the Air Force, I have lost a son-in-law and many friends.  It angers me that we do not take care of our own.  When do we say "Enough!!" ?

Your story was wonderful. I know from experience how great Brooks Army Hospital and the Intrepid Center is. My daughter-in-law's brother is a patient there. He's been there a year with severe burns and other injuries. I saw him 2 weeks ago and he looked great. His burns are healing and he's walking more and more each day.  
These young men and women are hero's that all should admire and look up to.

As a retired American Solider, it sickens me to see any message left here solely for the purpose of condemning the practices of our AMERICAN President. We have elected this official by a majority of the vote therefore we need to stand behind our decision. Criticizing him for his actions doesn't change the fact these BRAVE Men & Women have sacrificed their lives as they knew them to serve our country. So support our Troops as well as OUR President or move to a country that better supports your beliefs. Bravo Men & Women of the Military and support Services civilian as well. God thats what I said "GOD" BLESS AMERICA.

Although not emphatically religious, I find myself praying each and every night for those soldiers serviing our country in Iraq and afar.  

I am appreciative for what soldiers have sacrificed for our safety in the past and present.  I also admire President Bush for visiting our injured, I'm sure it was an honor to most and something they will never forget.


God bless all our soldiers and lets home they can return home safely, soon...

i can see why it's so hard for people to fathom that bush/cheney/rice/rumsfeld/powell/etc would blatantly and frequently and knowingly lie to start a war that did not need to be started.  seeing these pictures of these brave and honorable soldiers makes it very difficult to want to admit that they were sent based on unnecessary and knowing lies.  no good person wants to believe a president would lie that badly.

but he did.  this horrible fact must be addressed and those who perpetrated this must be punished severely.

and bin laden runs free (not in iraq though!)... laughing gleefully at the easily duped... plannning his next attack.

May Jesus put his healing loving touch on your wounds - May the Lord bless you and keep you - may you soldiers of blessing  know that the majority speak here - forget the protestors and all the left wing negative crap - your sacrifice has made it possible for those idiots to protest in this country in the first place - we love you all - please know that

i hope bush lies quivering in cold sweats at night when he thinks about how he lied to these soldiers... but i bet he doesn't.  he's the liar of all liars so you know he's lying to himself and sleeps quite well at night... with a smile on his face, even.

Let us not forget that not only have Soldiers and Marines paid a price in the War on Terrorism.  Many Airmen, Sailors, and Coast Guardsmen have paid sacraficed themselves for the country.  Though BAMC is an Army installation, all services are treated there.  To all my fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, I salute you as we all fight the good fight.

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