I would have to agree, It doesnt feel like this war has been going on for 5yrs.. but with that said.. I have had the "pleasure" of spending vast amounts of time between the Tigris and Euphrates, 03-04 and 05-06.. and the amount of good and the level of progression that has been accomplished during my tours and inbetween my tours has been amazing.. for our military and the people of Iraq... I spent both my tours operating in about the same battle space, and the quality of life for the iraqi people had improved great lengths from when we initially arrived unitl we handed off control of that AO, and then when I returned 16 months later, i could hardly recongnize the area due to the vast improvement of the quality of life that developed in that short time.. Markets were open, people in the streets, festivals, Iraqi police were operating at an almost self functioning level.. (if you've been... you know what i mean)

As I know there are several ways to accomplish a common task, and it takes a huge effort from within and abroad.... And I would also agree that there are probably some better and quicker meathods to accomplish the issues we are dealing with in the middle east... but I do not get paid to make those decisions, It IS my duty to Serve and protect our great nation with the orders provided to me and to execute them within the law and to the best of my ability....
"Lastly, don’t feel sorry for us Soldiers that go off in to battle because while some choose to flip burgers we choose to get up every morning and train to kill the enemy so that whenever we are called upon we are ready. All some of us ask for is that you show support and be proud of the fact that there still are Americans willing to take that oath to support and defend our Nation regardless of the consequences of our Leaders actions." well said BLKOPS

If nothing else this war has given me .... a beautiful X5!!
my 2cts..