Son's 20 yr old friend shot a kid in Iraq

[heidiho]

My college son told me last night that his friend, Chris, is home on leave from Iraq but has been told he has to go back.

He told his friends last night that he shot and killed a 13-year old boy. He was told that the kid had a weapon and to shoot him.

Now this young man will have to live with this for the rest of his life. My son was quite upset about it.

Vietnam, anyone???

[Jack_Dawson]

1. Kill or be Killed

I guess...what a shitty place to be. And Chimp in Charge just extended everyone's tours. That should be pretty good for morale.

[bobthedrummer]

2. My 2 tour USMC Vietnam vet cousin committed suicide long ago

we shared a lot of the same traits, my dad was USMC, he died of his drinking, also have a living uncle WWII combat vet USMC.

At least all took an oath to defend our US Constitution.

So do I as a USMC family member and sole surviving son.

Got to get it back, first.

[slackmaster]

3. Best thing about being in the Navy as opposed to a ground force

You usually don't have to see the faces of the people you're shooting at.

Very sad story, heidiho.

[Aidoneus]

4. that's a good thing?!

:eyes:

[rogerdodger11]

5. he did his job

kill or be killed, that 13 yr old would have killed him, with no conscience

[Vickers]

9. Huh? Dude, if we weren't there under false pretenses

that kid would be in school instead of taking up arms.

Damn, the things you have to explain to folks around here.

[NickB79]

11. But we don't know that

Reread the original post, where it is only said that he was TOLD the 13-yr old had a weapon and TOLD to fire. No indication that he actually saw the weapon, just "kill him now."

Also, he did NOT do his job even if the kid had a gun, because his job as a soldier is to protect Americans. Invading Iraq was NOT about protecting Americans, so he was not on a mission to do his job. He simply did what he had to do in a horrible environment to survive because he was placed there by an incompetent moron in the White House.

Oh, and how do you know the Iraqi kid would have killed him "with no conscience"? The very phrasing of that makes the Iraqi rebels sound like they aren't even human enough to feel remorse for killing a fellow human being. I am sure there are plenty of Iraqis who feel remorse for killing to gain their freedom.

[newyawker99]

12. Hi rogerdodger11!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[LoZoccolo]

15. Looks like the moderators did their job.

TOMBSTONED!

[Mountainman]

6. In Saigon we had to guard the BOQs and were told to shoot

any kid that came close enough to leave a bicycle leaning against the building. That had happened before. The kid did not know the bike was a bomb. I had real trouble with that order. Luckily it never happened to me.

[ComerPerro]

7. How terrible

That would be an awful memory to have to live with.

I am betting that the people in Iraq have seen some horrid, terrifying things.

[commander bunnypants]

8. I hope he can get some help

sounds like some serious PTSD could happen


Damn * and damn war


so sad

DDQM

[IronLionZion]

10. The guy in your avatar shot a kid too

in Vietnam. That's war. Kill or be killed, even if its a kid.

[commander bunnypants]

13. agreed up to a point

but the soldier has to live with that memory and that can cause some pretty bad damage.

I have some clients with PTSD, it aint pretty sometimes

DDQM

[funkybutt]

14. that post brought tears to my eyes

i can't imagine having to live with something like thatt