I'm Tired of Spineless Politicians.....

[Warph]

Lt Col. Joe Repya

So who is this Lt. Col. in the U.S. Army that the Board of Directors of the Lightship Sailors Association feels should be an Honorary Lightship Sailor? and why?

Duty on a Lightship was isolated and is considered now by historians as the most dangerous the Coast Guard had. One Crew  was scalped by Indians when they went ashore to tend their garden that they used for the ships food.

Our Lightships were sunk by German U Boats, burned by the "rebels" in the Civil War, and rammed and sunk by much larger vessels such as the Sister ship of the Titanic when it ran over the Nantucket Lightship. Ships routinely "aimed" their vessels at our radio beacons and "let it go on it's merry way" towards us on automatic pilot with no one in the wheel house at times. 

If at this point the reader is NOT a former Lightship Sailor I would recommend you take a few extra minutes and read one of the articles in our Ships Library by a former CO. of a Lightship called "The Big Red Target." and then come back to finish this story about Joe Repya and why He is an Honorary Lightship Sailor.

I first met Joe when He was selling, "Support the troops in Iraq" signs here in Minnesota at our State Capitol. Joe got the idea shortly after the "Peace Movement" here in Minnesota got involved in the war in Iraq. Of COURSE their involvement was from a very safe distance holding all their protests here in the State of Minnesota. At the time I met Him I thought He was a nice enough fellow and since He was as fed up with the crap coming out of the Peace movements here in the United States I HAD to have one of His signs for my front yard especially since a neighbor across the street had a "Get out of Iraq" sign in his yard.

That was the last I heard of Joe for a few years. I had no idea just WHO Joe was until one day a few years later when I got an email from our Association Chaplain telling me that I should be proud on this Minnesota Man for what He stands for. After I read the entire email I KNEW exactly who Joe Repya was. Here is that email:

http://www.uscglightshipsailors.org/joe_repya.htm

http://www.uscglightshipsailors.org/big_red_78.htm


One of Minnesota's Finest:

Minnesota's LTC Joe Repya volunteered to return to active duty for service in Iraq at age 59. Joe's previous service includes command of a rifle platoon in Vietnam and flying helicopters in the first Gulf War.

Joe is a classic citizen patriot and activist. He first came to public attention in March 2003 when, disturbed by the anti-war campaign mounted by Minnesota liberals, he arranged for the production of lawn signs saying "Liberate Iraq -- Support Our Troops." His effort garnered a lot of publicity, and Joe eventually distributed 30,000 signs.

HE WROTE FROM IRAQ:

Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth month of duty in Iraq, I was forced to return to the USA for surgery for an injury I sustained prior to my deployment. With luck, I'll return to Iraq in January to finish my tour.

I left Baghdad and a war that has every indication that we are winning, to return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971 after my tour in Vietnam.

Maybe it's because I'll turn 60 years old in just four months, but I'm tired:

I'm tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican who lack the courage, fortitude, and character to see these difficult tasks through.

I'm tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history when the going gets tough.

I'm tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they "Support the Troops" by wanting them to "Cut and Run" before victory is achieved.

I'm tired of a mainstream media that can only focus on car bombs and casualty reports because they are too afraid to leave the safety of their hotels to report on the courage and success our brave men and women are having on the battlefield.

I'm tired that so many American's think you can rebuild a dictatorship into a democracy over night.

I'm tired that so many ignore the bravery of the Iraqi people to go to the voting booth and freely elect a Constitution and soon a permanent Parliament.

I'm tired of the so called "Elite Left" that prolongs this war by giving aid and comfort to our enemy, just as they did during the Vietnam War.

I'm tired of anti-war protesters showing up at the funerals of our fallen in a just and noble cause, only to be cruelly tormented on the funeral day by cowardly protesters is beyond shameful.

I'm tired that my generation, the Baby Boom - Vietnam generation, who have such a weak backbone that they can't stomach seeing the difficult tasks through to victory.

I'm tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of captives then they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.

I'm tired that when we find mass graves it is seldom reported by the press, but mistreat a prisoner and it is front page news.

Mostly, I'm tired that the people of this great nation didn't learn from history that there is no substitute for Victory.

Sincerely,

Joe Repya, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/repya.asp

[Catwoman]

It is a good thing that this man is close to retirement age, because that letter will probably get him an early discharge.  I respect his courage in writing it to begin with.  I also happen to agree with him...but then, I have relatives that have given their lives for this country in past generations. 

[Teresa]

sighhhhhhhhhhhh..........I'm tired of it all too.