From the Indianapolis Star:
The cheers and tears that greeted about 160 Hoosier soldiers who returned from the war in Iraq on Tuesday did more for their morale than any politician could.
Members of the Indiana National Guard’s 1438th Transportation Company came back to Indianapolis after serving 11 months in Iraq. Based south of Baghdad, they helped with transportation throughout the country.
The soldiers said they were aware of the growing debate over the U.S. role in Iraq, but said the rhetoric didn’t have much impact on what they were doing in the war-torn country.
“People have their own political opinion of it, but when it comes down to it, the president — the commander in chief — says we’re supposed to be over there,” said Staff Sgt. Tim Schnaus, Whiteland. “It’s not for us to decide.”
It can be irritating to hear some people suggest troops are not accomplishing their mission, he said, but most soldiers feel the criticism isn’t directed at them.
“We know that for the most part, the American people support the troops, if not the policy,” Schnaus, 38, said between hugs from his wife, Kara, and their children, Zack, 14; Derek, 15; and Summer, 16…