‘The Long Goodbye’—The Rest of the Stories

I have been remiss, and I apologize.

On Monday, I wrote about a series of five articles being published by the Stars and Stripes on the occasion of the ongoing withdrawal of our combat troops out of Iraq. I highlighted the first set of articles and listed the topics of the remaining four sets of articles, and I said, “Interested readers will find daily updates and links to this series of articles here at TMV.”

Well, while I have been procrastinating the Stripes has been diligently publishing the remaining articles.

Because of the time zones where the Stripes publishes, Friday’s set of articles are also already on-line.

Here they are. They are superb!

Tuesday, August 17. DAY 2: The wounded

An American and an Iraqi soldier, each gravely wounded in the war, battle to recover.

“Back home, but still fighting,” by Leo Shane III

“I chose the right way, and no one rewarded me,” by Heath Druzin

Wednesday, August 18. DAY 3: The politicians

A veteran, and a veteran politician, navigate new battlegrounds.

“Murphy’s missions: Experiences in Iraq led veteran to Congress,” by Leo Shane II

“’Chameleon’ Hassan al-Alawi survives, thrives,” by Heath Druzin.

Thursday, August 19, DAY 4: The widows

One war widow tries to move on and another tries to survive.

“Eddy Garvin’s girl: ‘At some point, it just gets easier,‘” by Nancy Montgomery.

“Male-dominated, war-ravaged country offers little hope for Iraqi widows,” by Nancy Montgomery

Friday, August 20 DAY 5: The hometowns

A Baghdad neighborhood is divided by strife while an Ohio town pulls together

“Zanesville remembers,” by Megan McCloskey

“The violence has waned, but the fear remains,” by Heath Druzin

Thank you, Stars and Stripes.

But, most of all, our gratitude to the brave men and women who served in Iraq, so many still serving there, and who have sacrificed so much—all too many making the ultimate sacrifice—and to their families who stayed behind and who also sacrificed.

Finally, let’s not forget the innocent Iraqi men, women and children who have died and suffered as a result of the War.

Image: Courtesy Stars and Stripes