From the Grand Forks Herald - No deadline for this Devil Dog

I wanted to share this letter about the Iraq War from a member of our Armed Forces on the ground in Iraq. I hope you will take the time to read it.

IN THE MAIL No deadline for this Devil Dog

Grand Forks Herald

Published Friday, May 11, 2007

GRAND FORKS - Our youngest son, Joshua Johnson, serves on active duty in the Marine Corps. He currently is on his second deployment to Iraq. He recently e-mailed his sister the letter below on his views on an early troop pullout. With Joshua's permission, we forwarded his letter to the Herald

His brother, Justin Johnson, is a first lieutenant in the Army and also is serving in Iraq. The brothers share the same view on an early troop pullout.

Bud Johnson Claudia Johnson


FALLUJAH, Iraq - Have you heard about all the garbage on the news about the war deadline? As a Marine serving in Iraq, I don't think there is such a thing as a deadline date in this war, and our country's next president has to understand that.

We have done a lot, but in no way is Iraq a free and stable country on its own yet. Out in town, I have seen the Iraqi police and the Iraqi Army patrolling the streets, but they need our guidance and support until they themselves have the confidence to say, “Thanks for the help guys, but we have it under control now.”

To come home now would send the world a message of weakness. To take the blood, sweat and tears that our own military and government contractors have put into this country, and then all of a sudden leave while the mission isn't yet fully accomplished, would be the same as putting our tails between our legs and running scared.

As for me, I would be embarrassed to be in the military of a country that just gave up, because some “suit and tie” thinks that the job may be too hard.

The men and women of the American military are determined to accomplish the mission at hand and in no way will even consider giving up.

I think it is a bunch of garbage that some in America want a deadline date. We should stay as long as we have to, and we are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission.

Joshua Johnson

Johnson is a sergeant in the U.S. Marines.