Coming Home From Iraq and a Few Questions From a Friend

Thanks for sharing "Salty Dog", I mean Rob.

Awesome man.
Unfortunately, soldiers tend to look just like the rest of us without their uniform on.
I may disagree with the war and probably with you on many things, but I thank god their are great people like you that volunteer to sacrifice so much that many of us can not even begin to conceive. I feel a bit awed when I see someone in uniform these days, what they must have gone through, what they are going through. Even if they haven't been they tend to be more effected by this than the most of general public. I applaud your service and wish the country would show it's appreciation just a little bit more.
Straight from the heart, Thank you man.

I do feel a lot of Americans do have to sacrifice a little do to the war.

Rob, you hit it just right. Americans are just beginning to understand what they sacrificed so that bush could conduct his Iraqi campaign. Many may not really think so but I believe we have won that war and it is time to move on to our real business.

as much as we disagree on nearly everything, i'm glad to see you are back safe and sound.

i hope you don't have to leave your family again.

Hey Rob, did you know that the Iraqis have opened a KFC franchise in Fallujah? Big difference than a few years ago. Maybe somebody should bring Barack Obama to this restaurant and remind him that if we'd followed his advice the Iraqis serving him wouldn't in all likelihood have been there.

What long hair?

I do the things I do so others do not have to. I think most troops feel the same way.

The selflessness demonstrated by troops is something ordinary citizens could learn a lot from. I work with a lot of ex-military (UK Royal Air Force) guys and their willingness to put others first without a thought is quite striking.

Glad to see you back safe and sound Rob.

Welcome home Rob, stick around awhile. You paid your dues and it's time to enjoy the benefits of this country. Well done and thank you, not only for your service but taking time to be our eyes and ears on the ground in Iraq. Great job.

Hi Rob,

We are all breathing a sigh of relief in you coming back home safe. I really enjoyed your articles from the front in Iraq. Reading your articles makes me proud to have served, because it reminds me of the caliber of the people that I served with and make up the Army today. Your sentiment about the country not having to make a sacrifice because people like you volunteer to bear the brunt is inspiring and speaks highly of you and the Army. That is exactly what being a Soldier is all about. huuuaaahhh!

Mighty bright and humid for concerts these days, Rob. Glad you're home and able to reflect.

I'm glad you made it back in one piece. The overall lack of stress must be surreal from time to time I'd reckon.

I also see things different than those who have not served there. Not only did I see the changes that are being made, but I learned a lot about the world and people in general.

On some level that is true of all people who face extraordinary challenges or circumstances in their lives. The profound changes in the way you see the world alter every situation in a way that folks who have never had the chance to share a similar experience can't begin to grasp.

What you have helped many of us to do is to be open to the idea that despite our difference that cause us to see differently, we are capable of opening our minds to try and maybe have some sensitivity to what it is like to walk a mile in someone else's shoes.

At our best maybe we can learn to be a little less judgmental when we see a person who looks like anyone else on the outside, by remembering that maybe what's happening on the inside is more complicated than we could know and despite what seems like being a world apart in our opinions we can be on the same page as far as respecting the differences. Maybe they know something we don't or maybe their vision has been changed by circumstances we can never understand, but we can try.

On a lighter note, a scruffy look is damn sexy on you sweetie pie, seeing you home makes it perfect!!

Thank you, Rob. Good answers. I'm just frustrated that more people don't have to make more sacrifices as in wars past. I think that would definitly influence more opinions in one way or another, instead of most people just generally acting like they're sitting in a boring high-school history/geography class about the past--things that supposedly don't affect them--when any mention of Iraq & Afghanistan comes up. Thanks again for everything.....

Rob, thanks for the article, its easy for me to tell you that from my perspective you continue to serve this country and perhaps even more so than duty in Iraq. I could not but applaud as I read your writing in that I also read a mind that allows for the opinion of other people to mean more to you than yourself being stuck in a one way tunnel, we could all pick up just a little of that attribute in our daily lives and we the people could actually do something good for ourselves. I don't know how you came back with your thinking cap so intact but congratulations and thanks for your service. I to disagree with us being in Iraq but being a Vietnam Vet I would never disrespect another man who went through the times we have both apparently faced. I certainly didn't return with the positive attitude I envy that of you.

Thank you so much for this article. I'm so glad that you shared your thoughts. I've wondered, as I've watched troops, what are they thinking.

You don't know me and you probably never will, but please know you have had a great impact on my life, the lives of those who I love and all Americans lives. You, those who served with you and before you have maintained and secured my freedoms and liberties. There is no greater gift that I can think of then that you and those who've served and will serve in the future, give the American people.

Please know your words are dear to me and in my heart to stay. You know we are warned about what we should allow our eyes to witness because we'll forever have them as mental images? Well words are the same...you words and your works you've accomplished in country have touched me just as images do. Thank you.

Thinking about mental images that you carry everyday, I don't know what your eyes have seen and what your heart felt as you were there, but I can only imagine and with my wild imagination ...I say thank you again.

God Bless you Rob.

Rob,

Thanks for your service-welcome home! Hope the decompressing goes well!

Thank you for the article. We need all the insight we can get by listening to your experiences.

Many times I have thought about the impact returning soldiers will have on the rest of us. In a way, I think a lot of us do pay a price, PTSD being a large factor. Down the road, how will it affect the family members, friends, co-workers and others in our society? I have heard many times how marriages usually do not last with police officers. How much more with a marriage and family be affected by the stresses a soldier experienced in battle?

I think there are many who do care about our troops and do want to see what is best for every country involved.

I am one of those many.

Big combat engineer "Good Job" to you young man, welcome back and all my best to you and yours. Have a good'un!

I'm a little behind on reading articles, but wanted to take a second to leave a comment here. Thanks for sharing your point of views on your friend's questions. Your insight always opens my eyes. As a civilian, I feel like I can't even fathom what goes through a soldier's/sailor's/airman's mind. Even with a twin brother serving in Iraq, I still feel clueless at times. This article, along with your many past articles, really reminds us about the sacrifices of the brave men and women that serve our country. Thanks again for sharing!

Welcome back, Sir.

The most difficult mission to accomplish is the one that is endlessly replayed searching for a better outcome.

Remember always: tomorrow is the only thing you can change. Yesterday's mission is complete and unchangeable; fill those voids of time with your children, nieces and nephews, they will keep you focused on tomorrow and the bright light of their youthful joy will keep old demons at bay.

Thank you for your time,service and sacrifice.

Daniel D.

Thanks so much in sharing. I read everything I can since 9/11. Iraq is of great interest to me. It is amazing some of the great strides they have made. It is wonderful to think all of your efforts has done something for the poor people there. I think you should write a book, I'm sure I read it! Welcome home and thanks many times over!