JOHNSTOWN, PA, August 2, 2006 - U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, D-PA, a longtime champion in Congress of American fighting men and women, said today that a story in the Washington Post last week illustrates what he's been saying for awhile about how hard it is for our troops to fight and survive in Iraq. "Just listen to some of these statements in the story by our courageous soldiers, " Murtha said:

• "Think of what you hate most about your job. Then think of doing what you hate most for five straight hours, every single day, sometimes twice a day, in 120-degree heat, Then ask how morale is," Army Staff Sgt. Jose Sixtos told a reporter. "Frustrated?" asked the journalist. "You have no idea," Sixtos said.
• A battalion of more than 750 people arrived in Baghdad from Kuwait in March, and since then, six soldiers have been killed and 21 wounded. "It sucks. Honestly, it just feels like we're driving around waiting to get blown up. That's the most honest answer I could give you," said Spec. Tim Ivey, 28, of San Antonio. "You lose a couple of friends and it gets hard."
• "No one wants to be here, you know, no one is truly enthused about what we do," said Sgt. Christopher Dugger, the squad leader. "We were excited, but then it just wears on you - there's only so much you can take."
• "The commanders in Baghdad and the Pentagon are "looking at the big picture all the time, but for us, we don't see the big picture, it's just always another bomb out here," said Spec. Joshua Steffey, 24, of Asheville, N.C.

Murtha said the comments he hears at military hospitals when he visits the soldiers who've returned home injured and maimed are even sadder. "These men and women have done an outstanding service to our country. We owe them better. We owe putting an end to American involvement in this conflict because we can't win it, only the Iraqis can win it politically." (Soldiers' quotes excerpted from The Washington Post, July 27, 2006.)