Midland Family Eager for Petraeus Report

David and Deborah Tainsh lost their son, Patrick, to the war in Iraq three years ago.  Since then, they have given support to other families and the war.

The Tainsh’s say this week’s testimony by General David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, is going to have a huge impact.

“We’re very interested in hearing what Petraeus has to say because this is going to be very crucial as to where the future goes for all of us, but terrorism is not going to be over next month, next year or in years to come,” Deborah Tainsh says.

General Petraeus is expected to tell congress that progress has been made and the added troops have helped stabilize Iraq.

There’s also talk that he may agree to some troop draw downs.

The Tainsh’s hope Congress will listen to his reports with an open mind and take his suggestions.

“I hope whatever General Petraeus says will stimulate Congress and the Senate to backing this 100 percent,” says David Tainsh.

“We just hope that Petraeus reports the successes that have gone on and what it’s going to take to take it to a place that we can all feel safe and good about.”

The Tainsh’s believe his recommendations will lay out the next steps in Iraq and they hope that means finishing the job their son started.

“So yes, this is a big hype, we know that America is tired of war, and no one is more tired of war than those of us that have suffered and sacrificed the ultimate,” Debra Tainsh says.  “But we also don’t want to see our sons and daughters, loved ones, have been wasted for nothing.”

They say they’ll support Petraeus’ recommendations all the way.

President Bush will take the recommendations from General Petraeus and those of U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker and will address the nation later in the week.