Fathers, Sons And Brothers: Sacrifices

The Unit Suffers First Deadly Casualties During The Mission

(CBS)  December 2006, 15 months after they left Iowa and with only three months left in the tour, some of the guardsmen returned on a Christmas leave. Margo Bodensteiner brought her new daughter, Irelynn, and son, Spencer, to see Jim at the airport.

Irelynn is one of 55 babies born to the battalion during the deployment.

Jim Bodensteiner was back in Iraq after two weeks. By New Years 2007, the Iowa Guard had run more than 300 missions and covered 2.5 million miles. They had suffered two killed in action, and 25 wounded. But the end of the road was in sight. There were only two months to go before they would head home.

"It's getting to the point where, you know, you don’t want to mess up and have you or one of your buddies get hurt. It’s too late in the game for somebody to lose an arm, lose a leg, lose their life," says Adam Wendling. "We’re kind of in the home stretch now and we’ll be home soon. Should go by quick, hopefully," added his brother Andy.

But that hope was dashed in an instant.

President Bush announced the troops surge. Back home, Major General Dardis asked the families to gather in a National Guard hangar. "The Department of Defense announced yesterday that the First BCT, 34th Division would have their tour extended for up to 125 days," he announced.

"They’re National Guard guys. They’re not active Army. What about the families, the mothers that have sons over there, the wives that have kids? What about them? These men got to be gone for two years away from their family?" one woman asked the general.

"I agree with you. I think it is too long. I couldn’t agree with you more," Dardis replied.

"The latest they’re going to be home is August, maybe?" Shannon Foote wonders. "Are you just saying that to us? Are you giving us 60 days, 90 days. Were ready to make a change, to start a countdown for daddy to come home."

Families who were expecting their soldiers home in April would now have to wait for August. Margo Bodensteiner had to break the news to her son Spencer.

In Iraq, meanwhile, there’s been a snafu in communications. The families know of the extension, but the men don't. Rumors are flying. Even the commander, Ben Corell, can’t get a straight answer.

"What I owe my soldiers what the truth is and right now I’m not sure what the truth is," Corell remarks.

Finally, official word comes through.

"It's really, really hard to keep doing this mission and you got everything at home going on everybody is moving on with their lives," one soldier remarked.

"There’s no way I'm reenlisting. I love my family too much. And I hope to get home, settle down and start a family. I can’t handle this anymore," another said.

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The Iowa guardsmen had the distinction of being one of the first Guard battalion extended in the Iraq war. At home, the families began to move on, while the Iowa troops would see the war in a new way.

[NorthrupP61]

My deepest sympathy to the families and friends of these brave men - and to all those who have lost loved ones in war.

[phim-2009]

thank you for laotian boy to serve for protect freedom and your people god blessing you

[previn2]

I haven't had a good cry in a long while...No matter where any of us stand on this issue--be it for or against, or even a stand of neutrality...All of us feel for the troops and their families. Look over yonder. A new day is rising...

[proud72]

I want to thank these men and their families for being a great example for all of us. It is good to know we have real people representing us. Thank you each for giving so much to us all. May God blessyou.

[remade2]

I feel that honor should go where honor is due. No life sacrificed for liberty and security is a life given in vain. WOW! What planet is Iowa? I've not seen such faith and honor in all of Modern Day America. Is this a dream? Real Americans? Faithful? Unafraid? Loyal? Patriotic? Mature? Forgiving? Unselfish, loving,whole,'normal', even Godly families? What happened to Jerry Springer's and Hollywood's America? You mean, there are other types of humans that live here? Will our enemies get to see this? I'm encouraged that there is hope for this country after all. There is good news worth watching. All salt hasn't lost it's savor. I am thankful to have seen such reality
TV. Real Men and Real Women. Praise-worthy lives. Makes me want to keep on praying for them,
and their families, this country,etc. How can we help them? I think we need a mandatory
draft, so that our resources won't be so abusively stretched out, and our people can get home quicker. The world is not becoming safer, and we will need larger armed forces for world security. If the world becomes more Islamo-Fascist, they will all blow each other up anyway. Maybe we can postpone that for a few more generations. God Bless America! God Bless Our Troops, Indeed!