By host Tom Ashbrook:

“We’re not winning, but we’re not losing,” is the new formulation embraced now by President Bush on Iraq. But where does that leave the troops, the American men and women in the field, in the streets, in Iraq, where the frontlines are everywhere and the way home is always a season away?

President Bush is saying today that we need more troops overall in the US armed forces, and we’ll hear a bit of that. But 25,000 American service men and women have already been killed and wounded in Iraq. Today, we hear from those who serve on the war, the daily battle, and the way ahead.

This hour On Point: we’re going to the ground level, talking to the troops on Iraq.

“The weapons system we have in the military is the best in the world. So, there is the possibility of innocent lives being taken, and that weighs a lot on your mind.” Seth Moulton

“In general, we [the soldiers] want to feel part of success. But just throwing a few more money and more troops here and there is not convincing.” Jeff Englehart

“In a war that has gone on as long as this one has … what is the one thing that all soldiers agree across the board is that they don’t want the war to be all for nothing.” Trish Wood

“While I was in Iraq …, I received a lot of support from the American people.” Maria Kimble

Guests:

Seth Moulton, marine who served two tours of duty in Iraq. From May 2004 to February 2005, he was stationed in Najaf as a 1st Lieutenant and platoon commander with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Jeff Englehart, served as a specialist in the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division from February 2004 to February 2005 in the Sunni Province of Diyala, east of Baghdad.;
Maria Kimble, she enlisted in the army in 1990. From April 2005 to April 2006, she was a Combat Stress Control Officer in Charge with the 85th Combat Stress Control Medical Detachment out of Fort Hood, Texas.;Timothy Murphy, he has served in the army since 1976. From September 2005 to September 2006, he served as Lieutenant Colonel of the 19th Material Management Command out of Arden Hills, Minnesota.

Trish Wood, award-winning journalist who has been working with Iraq veterans for more than two years. Her new book is “What Was Asked of Us: An Oral History of the Iraq War by the Soldiers Who Fought It.” Seth, Jeff and Maria were all featured in her book.