Troops focus more on jobs than politics

Capt. Jon St. John, 38, told The Spokesman-Review that he and his men were aware of recent political developments back in the states – Cindy Sheehan’s vigil in Crawford, Texas, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker’s plans for sustaining current force levels in Iraq through 2009.

“We really don’t think about it. We are concentrating on doing our job over here,” the captain said. “The object is to get through the next three or four months and get home safely.”

Pressed on the issue, he said he believes the United States should “stick this out and see that the Iraqi government is in place” whether it takes months or years. He said he would have no reservations about returning to Iraq if called upon.

“But, I’d like to spend some time with my family first,” St. John said.

The captain, who was in cell phone sales in civilian life, was married last fall after the 659th was mobilized. His wife, Jenny, has a young son, and St. John has a son by a previous marriage. The family lives in Medical Lake.