
Five years ago I was sitting in a tower at the ECP in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Behind an M249 Machine gun watching the vehicles enter and exit the ECP. Listening to the short wave radio, I bought from the Bazaar, I heard the news. The war has started. A few days and a lot of scud attacks later and it was our turn to cross into war. Into a different world, a different life, a life and world I never would have imagined. Those days all seem a blur today. I remember all the good and bad times. The times where the pucker factor was high and the times where we would laugh the nights away. The nights where I would be up all night on a patrol or pulling guard on some far off OP. And the days after my tour where I would read of another attack on military or civilian and feel as if maybe I have not done enough. That maybe my sacrifice was paltry compared to others. And although I had served here once I felt compelled to serve here once
Fast forward to today. I am sitting once again in Iraq. A little older, maybe wiser, and some days wondering just what I have gotten myself into. I am not here to judge anyone. I have a job here, I do it and do it the best and most honorable way I can. I conduct myself the way I feel all American troops should, with dignity and pride in our country and mission here. Treating the Iraqis with the respect and dignity I would expect if the situation where reversed. And this is the way I feel most Americans here feel. There is a lot of positives here, I see them every day. Yes there is a lot of bad too I see that as well. I won't argue whether the war is right or wrong. Time and history will be the judge of that. I do know I am here today because I volunteered for a second tour. Not because I had to, not out of necessity. No, I did it because I believe in my friends, brothers, sisters, and the Iraqis. And what kind of person would I be not to come back when I am able.
5 years ago we liberated/invaded Iraq. Today we are still here, most doing what we believe is the right thing . I do have hope for the future of Iraq and the U.S. No matter whether you are a person at home protesting the war, or sending care packages or a quiet prayer for the troops, or are over here serving, we are all doing what we feel is the right thing. And eventually this war will end, will it end the "right" way? That is for the future to decide. Until then we will keep doing what we do. And pray for a better day for Iraq and the U.S.
I am going to do my best to make Americans proud
That's all you can do, and you make this American very proud!
I agree 100 percent and I am Vietnam Veteran. God Bless you
Hi Rixar, I know this is Rob's page, but I wanted to say THANK YOU to you! Our Vietnam veterans didn't get as much appreciation or respect as did the rest of the military in other wars. Thank God our Troops today see the Vietnam veterans as people who deserve respect for what they were made to do as well, whether right or wrong (like Rob said). So, thank you for all you've done and I hope our generation (X and "Y") can make up for some of the hurt the "Flower Children" did to your guys' homecoming! Bless you and your brothers-in-arms! We love our soldiers!
Have good times on R&R, Rob.
We live, and we learn.
Enjoy, and come back as refreshed as one can given the circumstances. God Bless.
My salute to you. Come home safely. Hooah!
The Military that has severed and are currently serving in this war I am proud and my payers go out to all of you , The day will come when peace will arrive again so just hang in there and just remeber that there are many many of us that are here supporting you in one way or another . God Bless and a BIG THANK YOU from our hearts
I would say have fun, ha! Instead I will say, at least get some rest.
Stay safe
Ghost
Rob, are you still having very little contact with the local civilian population? I think your insights into the climate "in the streets" would be very enlightening.
Not your editor....I just wanna know.
Your friend,
Walt
Thank you for your honor, strength and courage.
Hi Rob,
Haven't had a chance to 'hi' yet, but I've been following your column and really appreciate you taking the time to share your point of view from the frontlines.
I conduct myself the way I feel all American troops should, with dignity and pride in our country and mission here. Treating the Iraqis with the respect and dignity I would expect if the situation where reversed.
Thank you for your service. Thank you for representing our country well.
Your expressed views are consistent with the views of most of us who have served throughout history. Always a different war, many different views, but always the same American belief in our country and our willingness to fight to keep it safe. Your views are commendable and an example for all to emulate. Stay safe.
jnick,
Please explain what you mean " our willingness to figh to keep it safe". Keep it safe from what.
For God's sake jnick, I know you are not serious with such a perposterous question. Read history. Depending on how far you go back, you will see it repeats itself.
You make me proud to be a vet.
Thank you and Godspeed.
Chuck
Like Chuck said above.... You make me proud to be a vet as well.
Good luck and keep your head down! My wife's cousin was killed in Iraq just last week. My heart goes out to all military.
very respectfully,
Gary S (retired Senior Master Sergeant)
I am sorry for your family's loss, sir. Your family will be in my prayers.
Ghost
My sincerest condolences for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family. Just know that your wife's cousin made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, and for that I will be forever grateful.
Gary, I'm sorry for not knowing the appropriate way to address you, but thank you for serving our country, and I have you, your wife and the rest of the family in my prayers. He rest in peace. Annie
I am praying for the troops to come on home now. I had tears in my eyes reading what this solider had to say five years later in Iraq. I was thinking this war is so far away for many of us. God be with all who serve, and protect them not only there, but when they do come back. They will have gone through hell and back, and don't deserve or need what happened with the vets after the Vietnam war. Those of us so far away really have no concept what our troops are going through. I think it is very sad, and I hope those of us so far away never forget our troops and always show respect to them.
My son is currently serving in Iraq, however, I still have mixed emotions about this war. As a product of the Vietnam War era, I see many similarities and, I must admit, have many concerns. Although I felt from the start that invading Iraq was a mistake, I respect and admire the courage and willingness of the men and women serving in our military. I pray daily that each will return home to their loved ones, whole and healthy. I also pray for the men, women, and children of Iraq - the thousands who have died and the millions who seek a life of stability and safety. Having been blessed to travel extensively, I feel that most people regardless of their race or religion want the same fundamental things in this life...a family, a home, an education, a job... As we once again prepare to elect a new president, I hope all Americans take the time to seriously consider the issues facing our country and our world. Whether we term ourselves a Democrat, a Republican, a Libertarian, or an Independent, most of us love our country and want to secure its future for our children and grandchildren. Our approaches may be different, however, we all must express our desires for the future by voting. A democracy in Iraq is something that our military members are striving to achieve for the citizens of Iraq. Unfortunately, I suppose, this is where my pessimism shows. I continue to struggle with how Iraq - basically still a tribal society (like Afghanistan, Yemen, and others in the Middle East) will achieve the goal of democracy. Yet I say, God's blessings to all of our wonderful men and women in uniform and, especially, my son. Mark, I love you and am proud of you!!!!!
We are there for the wrong reason. The soldiers are just cannon fodders for the political cronies. As long as US troops are in Iraq, there is money to be made for the contractors like Halliburton and Bechtel who are reaping in big bucks from no bid contractors. Last month, the Chicago Tribune published an article about how contractors profit from the war. For instance, a can of Coke could be charged as much as $45 for getting to the troops. The subsidiary of Halliburton who is responsible for furnishing water to the US troops. Well, the water suppled to the troops is contaminated, and the troops won't even use to wash their bodies, let alone drinking it. Well, the US taxpayers are picking up the tab. I have nothing against the troops; they are just being told to do a job. This war might come to a surprising end if all of a sudden, these no bid contracts come to an end.
Its the people like you in this country that needs to be weeded out. Your a liability to your self and your country. Sure wish I could see who you vote for, no I don't have to see can tell by your attitude. The men and woman who severs in the armed forces of this country well be Hero's for ever and they, rightfully deserve the title. God bless America and the Republic for Which it Stands.
Jimy, You say you have ,"nothing against the troops." Perhaps if you were more specific in your writings. Distinguish your dislike for a particular country and your support for our troops.
Respect and thanks go out to those supporting and serving our country. Thank you Sharon, your son Mark, and all who take a stand to strengthen the unity we are proudly working to fully attain. As a citizen of the United States, I send my appreciation.
Jimy, it worries me to see that you have so much information about this country, yet from your comment history linked through your name, it shows you support other countries more than the one you're leaving comments on a Hero's personal page for.
This is my first visit to the Newsvine, so my profile has not been made yet....but Ron, it's an honor. Sir.
Wow first I've heard about lousy water. Stuff like that spreads quicker than.... Well anyways, I have not heard of bad water while I've been here. I am however getting sick of chicken and fish being served almost everyday.
I am very proud of all our soldiers, my son is also serving in the US Army and has been in Afghanistan. We can be very thankful for our soldiers who are so diligently serving for us so we can stay at home and remain free and so that other's sons and daughters can continue with their pursuit of careers. I'd like to hear more stories from our soldiers than from the news meidia's perception as well as those who truly have no idea I've heard it from my son and his fellow soldiers. I pray for all of them and their loved ones who are left behind to carry on. May God bless you all! You are a very special group. Gail
Gail, My son is serving in Iraq, heading home in just days. I heard that the young men and women in Afghanistan are haveing a hard time getting supplies, The American people have tried to say that war doesen't exist anymore, not true! I want to continue sending packages to Iraq when my son comes home, but I would also like to send some to Afghanistan. Can you contact me for names and addresses, may be your son or one of his friends would like a package sent to them. Thanks.
This is a commentary we will here over and over. I served in viet nam in 1969. Y ou can not help but feel the way this man feels. Times when you don`t know whether to @!$%# or go blind. All you do know, is you signed up for it and all you can do is your best.
I respect and honor this man. As a fellow soldier soon to be deployed to Iraq, I can say that I agree with everything that has been written by him. I didn't join the Army for college or because my family and I were poor, I joined because I saw that the people over there would be needing help. Be it my fellow soldier, or the people of the nation whose ground we walk upon, I will do all that is in my ability to assist those people and protect them.
People did it for all of us back here at some point in history. I owe those people at least that much.
Thanks for this.
We are so proud of you. Please remember to contact your mother as much a possible, she will be on an emotional roller coaster while you are gone. I know my son has been in Iraq for 15 months.
Thank you for everything you and have done. My son has serve in Iraq and he feels the same way you do. This is what he sign up for, to serve his country when they call. God bless you and God bless Iraq
W.M.D. of course never materialized for us. Saddam was insane and a murderer but instead of debating the former, I still continue to hear that '...it was our duty to arrest some criminal hiding in some hole of dirt.' Though Saddam did manage two things we will be saying is our obligation to help God by "...doing God service by killing...", that's in Mathew. And we'll be continuously paying for the following:
1) Bush/Cheney, from B.C., has gotten the U.S. really stuck and sinking down into the Quicksands of the middle east, [thank you for that one] and not sending your own military-ready offspring but keep sending our own...
2) And instead of Weapons of Mass Destruction, all that's really happened as the blind keep belching "Pride", instead of being honest, while being led by another blind batch and turning the U.S's
World so Massively Dizzy.
The United States Military is an all volunteer force. The decision to serve has been mine and mine alone. Stating that our leaders send the children of the masses off to war but not their own implies we as members of the military, or that anyone who has parents for that matter, is not capable of decision making and have no free will. President Bush did not send my father's oldest son to war. I made the decision of my own free will. By all means, please continue to point out the President's mistakes and shortcomings and preach about pride, killing, Mathew, quicksand and massive dizziness, but give credit where credit is due. No parent, including the President, can force their children to serve in the military. It is our choice. It is My Choice.
Well spoken Gun 1. Keep the faith and watch your "6". I felt the same when I volunteered in "71".
Your argument unfortunately has been more than strongly put forth by the left wing media and politicos that survive and live behind the protective shield of our brave volunteer Armed Forces.
My mind goes fast back to past history and the American volunteers at Valley Forge. The Red Coats and King George III's hired Hessian soldiers thought they were going to have an easy time of it. Yet our volunteers stuck it out, fought and won freedom. Viola! here we are today!
Today's greatest danger is from within! And yes!...Some whom we recognize as being just on the other side of the aisle of the Congress. I never in my wildest moment thought it possible "that American citizens conspicuously embedded in our government with a determination to change our way of life!.The danger to our freedoms and society comes from within. The enemy from outside can be and will be defeated. But the enemy from within just chips away and waits.
I have faith that we, the United States of America and the free world will win out through it all.
Batanasio,
You really believe that George Washington and his 10,000 ill equipped militiant won the war. The British had at least 4 times as many well trained troops. The reason why we won the war was the involvement of the French. King George did not want to go to war against France. Of course, in our history book, it was GW who single handedly leading his troops to victory.
Yea George Washingtons men might have been ill- equipped but unlike the British which were basically and Army of Slaves to the Crown and Mercenaries the American boys were equipped with one thing FREEDOM!!! No matter how big an Army or Force Especially one of Oppression... The One man who stands up against them and who is fighting for freedom.. The freedom to live where he wants, believe what he wants, and die where he wants will always be a force to be reckoned with.... I am proud to serve my country and proud to serve with men who still believe in Uncommon Valor, Honor, and God Country and Family... Till They All Come Home GOD BLESS!!!!
You think King George would forfeit a chunk of land without a fight. If the French were not by the American side, George Washington wouldn't have a prayer. Get real. Forget that crap they teach you about freedom and liberty. If the French were not involved, King George would sent my troops over here.
I agree with you all. How do I do that you ask? We all do what we believe we must and most do what they believe is right, but some do what they know is wrong, usually for personal gain.
Most of our of our boys and girls in the military are doing what they believe to be right and we should support them and be proud of them. Our government, on the other hand, has made a mockery of our country to the rest of the world. They waged a war in a country that we had no right or reason to attack. They continue to hire private contractors at exhorborant prices for supply and security jobs.
I am proud of all of our boys and girls abroad and wish them safety and health. I am a patriot of this great country and I know what patriotism is... Patriotism does not mean agreeing with your government even when your government is wrong...Patriotism is fighting for your country whether it is right or wrong.
Our military personnel are patriots, but anyone who says that we must back Bush/Chenney, in the lies they have told, needs to learn what patriotism is.
God speed. You have much to be proud of. Take care and come home safe. All the best to you and the men and women you are serving with.
Rob, first of all, i thank you and all our men and women for serving our country. U have all made me proud to be an american, i also pray for your safe homecoming some day and pray for all of you daily. I have many veterans in my family from all wars. So, i understand what you all are going through. so, stay safe and god speed! till your safe and home on american soil."GOD BLESS THE USA" and All branches of our military.
Hi Rob! How's your day going? Hope all is well with you. What do your fellow soldiers, officers, etc., think about your blog, if I may ask? Do they give you any trouble about it? As long as you don't write too much negative, details, etc.? What is the opinion on blogs at the moment? Hope you have a happy Easter & are able to enjoy one of the magnificent ice sculptures at the galley tomorrow, lol. Stay safe, stay sane, stay cool.................
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