According to
Army.mil News,
the Minnesota troops went to Iraq in March of 2006, after four months
of pre-deployment training and had been scheduled for a routine
one-year tour of duty.
Coleman's letter demanded that Gates provide the soldiers with their official orders including information on their
mission and expected length of stay and make additional resources available to their families to cope with this sudden extension.
The Minnesota Republican is one of Bush's own party who oppose the
Administration's plan to escalate the Iraq war, saying flat-out "I
disagree with the President's decision to provide a troop surge in
Baghdad."
KARE-TV in Minneapolis-St. Paul had a
heartbreaking report that highlights multiple problems, including one soldier's wife having to work
three jobs to make ends meet for herself and their children while he is gone. Here it is:
Some families celebrate Christmas a little late.
This family is celebrating today because mom finally has a day off from all three of her jobs.
"You do what you have to do to make ends meet," says Stacie Emery, who's husband is currently serving in Iraq.
Now they know not to wait on opening presents for dad because he has just been told he can't come home from work until July.
"I think we are all running out of patience," says Emery.
Stacie Emery is like thousands of other Minnesotans. She is the spouse
of a National Guard Soldier who's duty in Iraq has just been extended
for four more months.
"Now, it's like, okay, now what do we do."
For the last year and a half, Stacie has had the job of breadwinner.
She has three jobs, one of which she is losing at the end of this
month. And being mom and dad to her four daughters.
"It's chaotic, it's chaotic."
She gets pulled in at least four directions all day long. She works 60 hours a week to support her family and her soldier.
"I love it, I do love it but there are days I wish I could just sit down and breathe."
She had been expecting to sit down in March and breathe. Now, she'll have to wait 125 more days.
"It's heartbreaking."
For Stacie and the girls, who love their mother and miss their father
so much, it seems that, in this family, daddy has more than one
favorite little girl.
Stacie says she could not work as much as she does without the help of
her mother and oldest daughter. When Stacie works, they take care of
the other children.
This truly highlights the hidden story of just how big a hit these
military families take; Not only is their loved-one on the other side
of the world and in mortal danger every day, but the families must also
assume unbelievable burdens in their daily lives just to survive during
the years the Republican, support-the-troops types have ruled in
Washington.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty also
weighed in on how his state's Guard troops are being treated and expressed frustration similar to Coleman's:
"I am extremely disappointed and frustrated that the tour
of duty for 2,600 Minnesota National Guard soldiers in Iraq apparently
will be extended. This decision by federal officials is not consistent
with the expectation or understanding provided to our soldiers. It's
unfair to them and their families. It's extremely important that all of
us continue to support members of our military and their families in
every possible way."
It is easy at times to miss the human cost of the incompetent and
misguided Bush-McCain policy, but this kind of story truly spells it
out in terms of harming
families in addition to the larger implications for our country.
And, as someone who recently visited this Guard unit in Iraq, Coleman has seen it up close and personal.
"When I visited them a few weeks ago in Iraq, they were excited about
coming home in March," he said. "At a time when our National Guard
troops and families are making the ultimate commitment to serve our
country and defend our freedom, they deserve better than to be told
only a short time before their scheduled return that their service is
being extended."
Writings 
Coleman also said that the families discovered their soldiers' homecoming had been indefinitely postponed through the media, and not the Defense Department.
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