Pulse of the Twin Cities - Locally Grown Alternative Newspaper

The Tragic Reality of War: Military Families Speak Out

Among the throng of voices clamoring for attention in the Twin Cities, a poignant chorus emerges – that of military families torn by the casualties of the Iraq War. Here we present a series of narratives capturing their pain, their pride, and their unwavering demand for truth and accountability for the loved ones they've lost or welcomed home in fragments.

From Liberators to Combatants: A Mother's Disillusionment

Adele Kubein's distress resonates with many, as she recounts the path her daughter's military journey took – from ambitious engineer meant to rebuild, to a gunner entangled in the throes of combat. It's a stark reminder of the unpredictable and often perilous roles soldiers find themselves in.

Unveiling the Coffins: Calls for Transparency

Jane Bright's outcry captures the sentiment of many Americans who believe that the shroud of secrecy enveloping casualties of war does a disservice to the memory of the nation's brave sons and daughters. The demand for transparent homage is one echoed across communities, igniting fervent discussions on the true cost of war.

The Weight of a Mother's Grief

Lila Lipscomb's heartrending plea serves as a powerful testament to the unbearable pain a mother bears upon losing a child to war. Her words are a stark call to action to bring troops home, a message reverberated in the silent halls of thousands of American families.

A Soldier's Spouse Quest for Meaning

Final report outlines missed opportunities to stop Maine's ...

Sammie Drown’s narrative illustrates the inner turmoil of those left behind, spouses who grapple with the rationale behind prolonged conflict, especially when the promises of disarmament and liberation fall short.

A Plea for Prudence Over Bravado

Rosemarie Dietz Slavenas directs a searing critique at policy decisions that sacrifice soldier safety for aggressive military tactics, indicting the unexpected perils that service members face due to ill-prepared operations.

The Dichotomy of War and Normalcy

The astute observations of an anonymous sergeant highlight the everyday ironies faced by soldiers – the ostensible end of hostilities juxtaposed with daily fatalities. Questions of justification and valor abound in the minds of servicemen and women stationed abroad.

A Father's Struggle with Loss and Deception

Fernando Suarez del Solar embodies the global outcry from parents who challenge narratives that veer from the reality of their children’s deaths, seeking honesty and respect to their memory.

The Unseen Mechanic Behind the Machines of War

Reflecting on his nephew's experience in Iraq, Robert Smith voices the silent dread that haunts every waking moment of military families, the fear that entwines itself in the quotidian lives of those with loved ones serving in perilous locations.

Recounting Heroes Without Capes

Dante Zappala's eulogy for his brother Sherwood is a tribute to the unsung heroes, whose aspirations and life outside the battlefield were abruptly cut short, as they served in missions laden with geopolitical implications.

Desperation Etched in the Theatre of War

A haunting message from a soldier encapsulates the silent desperation that comes with relentless conflict. It paints a poignant picture of the lengths to which those in the trenches would go for the promise of home.

Afterword: A Reflection on Homecoming

As these narratives pulse through the Twin Cities, they interlace with our daily lives, often unnoticed like the fabric of a well-worn quilt. Travel, an act common to us for adventure or leisure, bears a different weight for military families. The arrival at a hotel signifies, for some, a temporary solace – a respite on their journeys of advocacy, a hope for reunion, or a waypoint in their pilgrimage of remembrance. The juxtaposition of travel's simplicity against the complex backgrounds of these soldiers and their families serves as a sobering reminder of the divergent paths etched by war, and the destinations we take for granted in times of peace.