# Back from Iraq **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 24, 2004, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-from-iraq/236201 "2004-03-24T22:01:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-from-iraq/236201/1 "2004-03-24T22:01:43Z")
I went into our small town this afternoon, suspecting nothing unusual. The streets were lined with people waving American flags and holding banners. The elementary school had turned the students out, and the cotton mill let the workers go stand beside the road to welcome the local Army Reserve unit back home from over a year in Iraq. They were on busses, with Sheriff’s department cars leading them, sirens wailing. Not all of them in this unit came back. Six were killed in action and several more are still in hospitals in Europe. No matter what your feelings about this war or the politics thereof, if you weren’t moved by the scene of welcome and the “Thank You” signs being held by the citizens, well, you’ve got no soul. Thanks, Guys and Gals! ---
**Author:** ![BoBettie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4af34b/32.png) [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-from-iraq/236201/2 "2004-03-24T22:33:31Z")
Well, welcome home!!! ---
**Author:** ![siberia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/siberia/32/9129_2.png) [@siberia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/siberia)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-from-iraq/236201/3 "2004-03-24T22:37:52Z")
Welcome home and thank you for your service!! ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-from-iraq/236201/4 "2004-03-24T23:31:11Z")
I don’t think **John** was in Iraq, I think he just witnessed a parade for other people. ---
**Author:** ![siberia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/siberia/32/9129_2.png) [@siberia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/siberia)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2004, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-from-iraq/236201/5 "2004-03-24T23:36:37Z")
> [@Neurotik](#): > > I don’t think **John** was in Iraq, I think he just witnessed a parade for other people. Oh duh on me! My comprehension levels are low today due to cold meds. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-from-iraq/236201/6 "2004-03-25T01:34:26Z")
Sorry for any mis-understanding. **Neurotik** got it right. I wasn’t in Iraq. I was just commenting on the happy scene when our local outfit arrived back home today. Indeed, during my military service days, all eyes were on Russia, with the odd glance at Castro. (OLD!!!) ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-from-iraq/236201/7 "2004-03-25T02:14:54Z")
Hell, thanks for that service too! Must have been some scene there today. I’ll be damned if I can keep a dry eye at such an event. ---
**Author:** ![Oat1957](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Oat1957](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oat1957)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2004, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/back-from-iraq/236201/8 "2004-03-25T02:16:19Z")
Politics aside, I’ll add my thanks and welcome home.