Below is an account of the life a Marine when he served in Iraq I’ve had this for weeks and found it difficult to post as I wondered what you’d think of this young man’s account of war. Thus I’m ready for your thoughts I know it’s made me want to get down on my knees and say thank you to every man and women who ever has and now serves our country thus keeps our borders safe so I wonder do we give them enough thanks and care when they return. I think about past soldiers who haven’t been treated as well as they should have and I know we can‘t make it up however, we can do better with our future for them and we should thus, please read this and give me some thoughts as this is in his words not mine.
Near Death
I joined the Marines in 2005. I went through boot camp, school, and then to the fleet. I was stationed in Camp Pendleton California. Two months into my career as a Marine we were told we would be going to Iraq. It was April, and by June we were on our way. I flew through Canada, to Ireland, and then landed in Kuwait. After we landed in Kuwait we were flown to Fallujah Iraq. After we were settled in, we started our turn over and learned our Area of Operation. That is when my new life truly began. For an entire month I lived in a hole which I had to dig. Our diet consisted of MREs (meals ready to eat) and water. To stay warm we would sleep as close to our buddy as possible. I slept for about three or four hours on a good night. I and my fellow Marines carried a 60 lbs vest, our guns, water, food, ammunition, and basic living essentials. On the average, we had about 100 lbs extra on our back and body. Exhaustion hit my body daily. On the average, my squad and I would walk 15 to 20 miles a day. Showers did not exist. When our toothpaste ran out we didn’t brush your teeth. When there was no more food we did not eat. If we had no water we did not drink. My body burned not only from the 120 degree heat, but the blistering sun. The smell of ammonia was around often from the sweat in our clothes which we never could wash out. Blisters, aches, pains, sun burn were all obstacles we had to overcome and just accept as a daily part of life. We ate when we did have time, but really if there was extra time we just wanted to sleep. I went there weighing 185 lbs. When I left Iraq I weighed about 155. Two days into the beginning of each month we went back to base, and we were able to shower and call home, receive our letters and other miscellaneous mail.
One day out on a patrol it started to turn dark. The air was chilled, and I could see my breath as if I was smoking a cigarette. Around 2300 hours our patrol ended, and at 2400 hours we received a call to react on pop shots that had been taken at one of our vehicles. My squad and I suited back up and headed out. Not even ten minutes had passed when, pop, crack, the sound of bullets hitting our vehicle was heard. Immediate adrenaline ran through my body. My entire body went numb; my vanes bulged out of my skin. I could not wait to get out of the vehicle to face this terror. I was finally about to get into the fight. The humvee stopped, and I opened the door, pop, crack, bullets bounced off the humvee right next to where I was standing. I tried to move but it was as if there was cement around my feet, holding me back. I snapped back into reality and started to engage our enemies. That night our fire fight lasted for over 2 hours. About 2 months later my squad was sent out to a Sniper Mission. We had to scope out a small village. On our way back we hit an IED (improvised explosive device). I remember bits and pieces of the attack. The first thing that happened was a loud bang, and the sharp feeling of debris hitting my skin as if being stung by bees. Pure silence came next. It was as if I entered my own world of darkness. There was no noise, no visions, nothing but black. After I started to come to again I remember running my hands up and down my body to see if my limbs were still attached. Thankfully they were, and also a good sign was that there was no blood that I could see. My ears were still silent except for a loud ringing in both ears. The kind of ring that sounded like the ear tests you get at the doctors. I saw stars, I was dizzy and had trouble standing and speaking. I remember chaos, the sounds of men shrieking in fear, and in pain, everything was happening so fast. Eventually everything calmed down and we had all been taken back to base to be checked out by the medics. We were given a night to rest. The next day the patrols continued, as did the fire fights, I was blown up three different times on my first tour to Iraq alone. I thought about life and death on a day to day basis.
That night I called my family, I told them what had happened. I didn’t give great detail but enough information so they knew that I was ok and why I was back on base. My father, mother, brothers and sisters were all scared but grateful to hear my voice and find comfort in knowing I was okay. I remember telling them how much I loved them. The first thing I thought about was how it would have been if I died that night. What if I never got to hear my families’ voice again? What if I never had a chance to tell them that I loved them? What if I never saw my nieces and nephews? My experience with war, life and death situations, has taught me that life is to be treasured and valued, as is the love of one another. I have learned to never take for granted a phone call home or a letter from Mom and Dad. I also learned that you need to live with gratitude and joy; for we did nothing to earn another day of life. I agree with that old saying “live everyday as if it were your last,” but live smart.
Wow that is an amazing story. We need to always keep our troops in our prayers. They are heroes and I can’t imagine going through what that soldier did. Thanks for sharing that story!
What a picture this young man paints. My brother is over there. He is a First Sergeant in the Army Reserve and in charge of a unit that transports supplies from Kuwait to the front lines. He was home on R&R in September and wouldn’t talk about what was happening there — he never does. All he said is that when he comes home in March, he is getting out of the Reserves — 28 years and two wars is enough. That tells me how bad it is over there. I pray for him and all our men and women in that hell hole. I also pray that we just get out of there.
This a great post, and an important reminder to all. I also hope that everyone remembers the constant sacrifice that our military makes whether we are at war or not. My husband was in the Navy for 9 years and spent much of his time on a sub. They always head out for months at a time in the most dangerous parts of the world like much of the military in times of “peace” and times of war, but most people only think about that when we are actively at war.
I do think that my husband, like the man who wrote this account, has a special appreciation for living life to the fullest and it’s a big part of what makes him so special. (plus a guy who can live on a submarine with 250 guys can easily share a house with one moody wife like it’s no challenge at all) Thanks for sharing this post.
i just want to say thank you for all you do. you are appreciated!
hugz!
I don’t think about the day to day hardships as much as I should. Thank you for the reminder.
It is important that we all hear and or read these experiences–especially in a War that is so wrong. That our Brothers and Sisters go through these kinds of horrific experiences is really terrible. And then, for all those wounded and maimed to come home to a lack of true care—this is dispicable. There are organizations formed by Veterans who are against War. We should read what they have to say, too….
Thanks for printing this Dorothy.
I think it’s very important to read accounts that describe war as it really is and not the romanticized version of military life so often portrayed. There is nothing glorious about war, maiming, death and dying. I would welcome the day when people would resolve their differences through discussion, negotiation and any other means than killing each other and innocent citizens. Having lived through the years of WWII I know there are some occasions when peoples have to be willing to fight for their freedoms. I also believe there have been wars in our history that should not have been — old men, generally, sent the young people of our country off to shed blood, sacrifice their lives and those of others — heartbreaking — but our nation’s laws said they had to go. I could never disrespect any of them for doing so.
This is such a well written from the heart post.
I believe you must love the ones around you and thank the ones that give you the ability to do so.
Your young Marine’s incredible story about his tour of duty in Iraq was absolutely compelling. These experiences have changed the lives of each and every soldier forever. What an exceptional young man he must be to be able to verbalize such a tramatic time in his life. For those of us who have no one in a war zone, it was a real eye-opener! Imagine the courage and conviction it takes for these heros to endure such an existence. Thank you a million times over to this wonderful Marine for sharing a very important part of his life with us. And, God bless him now and forever.
Thanks for writing your story. I wish more people could have a chance to read this. The way you expressed your time over their,I think writing and talking helps heal one’s self. Keep writing
My payers are with you and your family.
Prescription Bentyl…
An interesting post by a bloger made me ……
What a day to read this. This is the 6th anniversary of the death of Captain Adam Miller USMC(my BF son), he was a pilot and died in a helicopter crash, he served in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
This post tugged at my heart, I am a USMC Veteran and will be attending my 1st American Legion Meeting tonight.
This was a reminder as to what it is like in WAR!
Thank you for posting this letter.
God Bless the USA
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