Joe Repya

by Martin Krzywicki

Founder LSA

Lt Col. Joe Repya

So who is this Lt. Col. in the U.S. Army that the Board of Directors of the Lightship Sailors Association feels should be an Honorary Lightship Sailor? and why?

Duty on a Lightship was isolated and is considered now by historians as the most dangerous the Coast Guard had. One Crew was scalped by Indians when they went ashore to tend their garden that they used for the ships food.

Our Lightships were sunk by German U Boats, burned by the "rebels" in the Civil War, and rammed and sunk by much larger vessels such as the Sister ship of the Titanic when it ran over the Nantucket Lightship. Ships routinely "aimed" their vessels at our radio beacons and "let it go on it's merry way" towards us on automatic pilot with no one in the wheel house at times.

If at this point the reader is NOT a former Lightship Sailor I would recommend you take a few extra minutes and read one of the articles in our Ships Library by a former CO. of a Lightship called "The Big Red Target." and then come back to finish this story about Joe Repya and why He is an Honorary Lightship Sailor.

I first met Joe when He was selling, "Support the troops in Iraq" signs here in Minnesota at our State Capitol. Joe got the idea shortly after the "Peace Movement" here in Minnesota got involved in the war in Iraq. Of COURSE their involvement was from a very safe distance holding all their protests here in the State of Minnesota. At the time I met Him I thought He was a nice enough fellow and since He was as fed up with the crap coming out of the Peace movements here in the United States I HAD to have one of His signs for my front yard especially since a neighbor across the street had a "Get out of Iraq" sign in his yard.

That was the last I heard of Joe for a few years. I had no idea just WHO Joe was until one day a few years later when I got an email from our Association Chaplain telling me that I should be proud on this Minnesota Man for what He stands for. After I read the entire email I KNEW exactly who Joe Repya was. Here is that email.

NOTE:

One of Minnesota's Finest:

Minnesota's LTC Joe Repya volunteered to return to active duty for service in Iraq at age 59. Joe's previous service includes command of a rifle platoon in Vietnam and flying helicopters in the first Gulf War.

Joe is a classic citizen patriot and activist. He first came to public attention in March 2003 when, disturbed by the anti-war campaign mounted by Minnesota liberals, he arranged for the production of lawn signs saying "Liberate Iraq -- Support Our Troops." His effort garnered a lot of publicity, and Joe eventually distributed 30,000 signs.

HE WROTE FROM IRAQ:

Two weeks ago, as I was starting my sixth month of duty in Iraq, I was forced to return to the USA for surgery for an injury I sustained prior to my deployment. With luck, I'll return to Iraq in January to finish my tour.

I left Baghdad and a war that has every indication that we are winning, to return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971 after my tour in Vietnam.

Maybe it's because I'll turn 60 years old in just four months, but I'm tired:

I'm tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican who lack the courage, fortitude, and character to see these difficult tasks through.

I'm tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history when the going gets tough.

I left Baghdad and a war that has every indication that we are winning, to return to a demoralized country much like the one I returned to in 1971 after my tour in Vietnam.

Maybe it's because I'll turn 60 years old in just four months, but I'm tired:

I'm tired of spineless politicians, both Democrat and Republican who lack the courage, fortitude, and character to see these difficult tasks through.

I'm tired of the hypocrisy of politicians who want to rewrite history when the going gets tough.

I'm tired of the disingenuous clamor from those that claim they "Support the Troops" by wanting them to "Cut and Run" before victory is achieved.

I'm tired of a mainstream media that can only focus on car bombs and casualty reports because they are too afraid to leave the safety of their hotels to report on the courage and success our brave men and women are having on the battlefield.

I'm tired that so many American's think you can rebuild a dictatorship into a democracy over night.

I'm tired that so many ignore the bravery of the Iraqi people to go to the voting booth and freely elect a Constitution and soon a permanent Parliament.

I'm tired of the so called "Elite Left" that prolongs this war by giving aid and comfort to our enemy, just as they did during the Vietnam War.

I'm tired of anti-war protesters showing up at the funerals of our fallen in a just and noble cause, only to be cruelly tormented on the funeral day by cowardly protesters is beyond shameful.

I'm tired that my generation, the Baby Boom - Vietnam generation, who have such a weak backbone that they can't stomach seeing the difficult tasks through to victory.

I'm tired that some are more concerned about the treatment of captives then they are the slaughter and beheading of our citizens and allies.

I'm tired that when we find mass graves it is seldom reported by the press, but mistreat a prisoner and it is front page news.

Mostly, I'm tired that the people of this great nation didn't learn from history that there is no substitute for Victory.

Sincerely,

Joe Repya

Lieutenant Colonel

U. S. Army

101st Airborne Division

NOTE: above WAS AN EMAIL HE SENT HOME.

BELOW: IS A LETTER HE WROTE TO THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE AFTER HE SAW THEIR ARTICLE MENTIONED BELOW FROM IRAQ IT MAY SEEM THE SAME BUT IT GOES INTO SOME DIFFERENT DETAILS.

Lt. Col. Joe Repya makes us proud to be Americans from Minnesota. He is a retired Army Reserve Officer who re-upped for active duty at age 58. He is now 59 and serving in Iraq. This morning he writes from Camp Victory in Baghdad:

I was so upset when I read the Star Tribune's Editorial today that I sent off this letter below to the editor from my duty desk in Baghdad, Iraq. The voices of millions killed by Hitler, Stalin & Pol Pot are rising from their mass graves and demanding an apology. Durbin is wrong and the Star Tribune is wrong even more. Clearly they are not on our side! Soldiers over here keep asking me why America has forgotten 9-11. I keep telling them that the liberal media won't let the American people see the images of the murdered and tortured Iraqis we find every day over here. Please keep up the fight back home and I promise the American military will win the war over here!

Here is Col. Repya's letter to the editor of the Star Tribune:

Your editorial "Durbin's Message/US Must End Prisoner Abuse" proves beyond any doubt that the Star Tribune Editorial Staff has no idea of who we are fighting and why! As a soldier in Iraq, I was highly insulted by the comments of Senator Durbin and his pathetic excuse of being "misunderstood." So I offer a suggestion. Let's divide up these victims of "the hellhole America's military has created" at Guantanamo and allow them to spend a weekend at the homes of the Star Tribune Editorial Staff and Senator Durbin. America's military will anxiously await the report on the impression they will make on you and your families.

Joseph Repya
LTC, Aviation
MNC-I LNO
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

NOTE:

I have talked to Joe and I will be meeting Him sometime in the middle of February after He has His shoulder operation and is home recovering before going back to Iraq. At that time I will have the honor to present Him with our Honorary Lightship Sailor Certificate.

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