In Conflict: Iraq Veterans Speak Out on Duty, Loss, and the Fight to Stay Alive. By Yvonne Latty, 2006. PolyPointPress, Sausalito, CA.

The American Military, including the National Guard and reserves, have become an American Foreign Legion deployed like a 911 force all over the world. In this book Latty interviews twenty five soldiers who have just come out of the Iraq war (one is still in). She lets the soldiers speak for themselves. The interviewees speak of patriotism, idealism, frustration, fear, confusion and the struggle to survive. Reading this book, I got a feeling what it is like to be them, including what it is like when they come home from this war. I felt pain knowing it is still going on at this very moment.

In the interviews, the soldiers speak about protecting this country by fighting there and about their lives before they enlisted. Once they were in Iraq, their training experience took over; they did their duties as best they could. Circumstances were often confusing to say the least. Many experienced troubles with their own conscience and moral values. It was a struggle to keep their buddies and themselves alive.

I noticed a pattern of situations where the military contracts were broken or extended by this government. Many told how their families were stressed. The wounded soldiers have deep concerns about the VA benefits being cut, especially if that means closing Walter Reed Military Hospital. They feel that there is no civilian hospital which can provide the much needed Rehab the way the VA can. They need that connection with other soldiers, to share their stories, and to heal. Many were denied their pay and healthcare benefits once they were wounded. They had to fight for their rights. They feel that if the president and the government profess to care so much for the troops, then they should care after they have done their duty and received battle wounds too.

I recommend reading this book; it is hard to put down. It is direct, honest and non-partisan. These are the real stories of real people. It helped me understand what my son may be going through – he is a US Marine. It may help many others too, and I hope that it will convince politicians in power to decide to stop support for this terrible war NOW!

Inger Easton
Portland, Oregon.