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To my fellow troops in the Iraq warBeing in today's military can be a very tough thing, a feeling that is even worse when you don't believe in what you are fighting for. I was in that situation a year ago when I was in Iraq with the 1st Marine Division. I knew the war I was fighting in was wrong but I didn't see myself as having much choice. I knew that as soon as I left the Middle East I would make my feelings known and that is something I have done. The greatest surprise to me since then is that people have actually listened to me. People really want to hear what I have to say about the war. Average people want to hear my thoughts and experiences, both good and bad. The country isn't divided like we see in the news. Not everyone is for or against the war. Many people still don't know how they feel about what is going on in Iraq. The voice of someone who has served there carries more weight then you could ever imagine. I've changed someone's perspective on the war any number of times simply sitting on a bar stool next to them and talking about what I know. So now you might be asking how you can actually make your voice heard. I know for those of you in the service sounding off is much harder then for the recent veterans like myself, but you can still speak out. All of us, veterans, reservists, National Guard and active duty, can side with Military Families Speak Out, Veterans For Peace, and other folks standing up to stop the senseless killing of Americans and Iraqis. Those of us with direct experience in this disastrous occupation need to make our voices heard. Active duty troops don't even need to "speak" yourselves. Just letting those of us who are now out know that you side with us lends weight to our cause and speaks volumes. Imagine walking up to George Bush and saying that there are 100, 200, 300, 1000, 5000 or more participants from his "War on Terror" who oppose the US occupation in Iraq. That's the kind of force that can end this war, just like it did in Vietnam. Together we can end this occupation and save the lives of our fellow American servicemen and women. - Michael Hoffman Veteran, USMC 2nd Marine division, Artillery. Served with 1st Marine Division in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Contact Michael at iraqvet@mail.com with questions or to join the cause. 
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