Letter from a U.S. Soldier
Wed Aug 22, 2007 at 10:42:11 AM PDT
Many thanks to those of you who have sent your thoughts and prayers for all our soldiers in Iraq. One of those on his extended deployment is a friend of mine who can't get home soon enough. Following today's news of a helicopter crash, I don't care if the 14 men and women who died today did so in enemy fire or because of a mechanical failure. As far as I'm concerned, they shouldn't even be there in the first place.
Following up on letters that I diaried here, here, and here, my friend's latest message is below the fold. Please keep him and all of our soldiers in your thoughts and prayers. They're doing the soldier's work of fighting to defend our country, even if the cause for which they've been sent to fight is fatally flawed and only making matters worse.
Dear XXXX,
We have completed our mission in Baquaba and head to Baghdad tomorrow. It has been a rather difficult 2 months. Early on, three members of my platoon were shot by a sniper, sufficient to be taken out of missions, but not enough to be sent home. A horrible fate in Iraq to be shot and not be sent home. But worse still is the 5 soldiers that we lost recently. They entered a house during a raid to find a bomb waiting their entrance. The news came over the radio, "Bring bodybags." I saw that their weapons were made brittle and that was sufficient to tell me that I did not want to see more. So close to end that we were counting the days, and now so far from ever getting home. But as Plato said, "Only the dead have seen the end of battle."
I am not looking forward to our convoy tomorrow, as the insurgents have blown up the bridge. This will force us to take a longer route, which I am sure they have prepared for our arrival. Gives to new meaning to the Arab mores concerning graciousnes to stangers. Regardless, go we will. In Baghdad we are told, we will begin our preparations to go home. However, after 14 months in Iraq, I know enough of the Army ways that I only believe what is happening, never what I am told. They might be further extensions, as the surge has had a marginal effect. They have scotched the insurgency, not killed it. I am so shellshocked that I started to laugh at the news that we could be here for longer. To taunt us a sergeant was singing, "I will be home for christmas." And in response we chanted, "in a bodybag." Some find our levity for such a graveness perplexing. But laugh we will for cry we won't.
At this point, lets just pray. Enough said.
I have nothing to add.
Permalink | 13 comments