Coming Home From Iraq and a Few Questions From a Friend

The "Salty Dog" at Uncle Sam Jam 2008. Notice the long hair and stubble.

As I sit here listening to the local classic rock station skimming the news, Led Zeppelin playing Stairway to Heaven, the kids in the other room watching Scooby Doo, I think to myself how happy I am to be home. But as I am sure many combat veterans have felt there is always a part of you that is not at home. A part of you that winces whenever you here of a new attack. A part that mourns with every loss of life. A part that wonders "did I do enough". As I have written before it seems a soldiers curse that you must always wonder "did I do enough". A friend of mine had asked me a few questions the other day about my feelings which actually got me to write this article.I have decided to write this article because my answers would be to long and in truth this is something I had planned on writing but had been waiting for the right opportunity to write about it.

Do you feel a little strange when you look at the world around you (the U.S.) going about their daily lives without even probably knowing where Iraq & Afghanistan is? Most people definitely don't know where Fallujah, Diyallah, Basrah are.

I remember the other day while attending a concert here in Indianapolis set up to support the 5000+ Indiana Guardsmen serving in Iraq and Afghanistan something hit me. As I sat and watched the artist thanking the troops and listened to those in the crowd either cheer or act indifferent towards our service members. I realized that had I not served in Iraq I would be the same way. I would be proud but indifferent. So in truth I have found that I really do not expect others to show the same interest I have. And although at times I have found myself a bit disgusted by the acts of others I also cannot be mad at them because had the situation been different I might have acted the same way.

I have found do to my service I have a lot of interest about what goes on in Iraq and Afghanistan. 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. Now I don't think there is a day that doesn't go by that I don't think of our troops and what I went through while I was in Iraq. That being said I think that while most American might not share in my interest in Iraq. And I am sure there are quite a few who are quite oblivious to what is going on there. I think there are many who do care about our troops and do want to see what is best for every country involved. I think where things get mangled and sometimes skewed is the ideas we have on what is best for Iraq. Where I might believe staying the course and helping the Iraqis become independent and free is the best idea others might believe leaving ASAP is the best idea. Is either idea really wrong? Who really knows. It is truly for smarter men and women than I to decide.

What do you think about most Americans not having to have any personal cost & sacrifice in these wars?

In all honesty I would not have it any other way .I do the things I do so others do not have to. I think most troops feel the same way. That being said I do feel a lot of Americans do have to sacrifice a little do to the war. Maybe not by serving or by family members or friends who serve. But by a percentage of their taxes going to fund the war. Or even worse watching yet another crooked politician, mindless entertainer, or political commentator talking their ears off again and again on either why we should stay or why we should go. Really listening to those blowhards is sacrifice enough. Seriously though, I think we have all sacrificed in a way only some have to a greater extent. And it is truly not my place to judge anyone. That is just my opinion.

Thanks to OKrahoma for the comment and questions that helped inspire this article.

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