Re-Deployment (Coming Home!!!)

Getting past the first six months is hard... However, once you knock out that time, the remaining months feel easy. Time seems to roll by.

The actual process of re-deployment is ridiculous. You travel like a broke rock star. If your flight is postponed or canceled, chances are you're sleeping in the airport. Sleeping in a chair or on the floor can be quite uncomfortable if you didn't know!!! There are no baggage helpers. You carry your entire life with you in those three or four bags strapped to your body along with the body armor you still must carry. That all can total out at more than 125 lbs.

With all that being said, the motivation for dealing with this craziness is knowing that you're going home... Knowing that you are about to see the smiling faces of all those who love you makes the two weeks of traveling bearable. And getting recognized from others who are proud of the accomplishments of those who wear the uniform of freedom is like icing on the cake.

I know... I'm writing from experience. Thanks for all your support.

The Elections: History & Danger

On a day when threats of danger were at the height they'll probably ever be, I watched a Tennessee National Guard from Knoxville step up and provide security for a United Nations high ranking official as he visited the polls to support the voting process. This official also happens to be a high value target for Al Qaida.

Every type of threat was a deadly option we possibly had to face... Improvised Explosive Devices along the main and alternate supply routes. Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices. Suicide bombers. Sniper fire. Small arms ambushes.

We had briefing after briefing to make sure everyone stayed 100% safe at all times. But I could tell these troops, whom freshly arrived in Iraq were given their first mission which was the most dangerous, were afraid for their lives. The last thing we did before we started our journey was prayer. This prayer was so powerful and moving. I have seen Soldiers say prayers before as a group but never when they thought they were possibly going to lose their lives.

The dangers were worth the responsibility. These elections were historic and we were directly influencing change in Iraq, and ultimately the world. Iraqis throughout the country proudly displayed their purple inked fingers. Many of them voted for the first times in their lives. We helped make that happen. There will be chapters about us in history books.

Charlie Wilson in Baghdad

It's been quite a while since I've made it to a concert. Charlie Wilson performed at Victory Base Complex in Baghdad, Iraq. The troops went nuts!!! I, personally, don't think I've seen a show that good ever. Charlie Wilson really is a bad dude.

I must say I was surprised. He's got to be like 60-something-years-old and he was performing like he just turned 21. The troops and civilians there even surprised me. I've never watched more than one hundred people do the 'Electric Slide' all at one time. It happened tonight though. Charlie had 'em hyped!!!

Suicide Prevention

Around these parts suicide prevention is a huge topic partly because it happens in combat zones regularly. However, a young woman committed suicide here recently. It's unfortunate no one could save her because she was alone when it happened. Her unit held a memorial ceremony and I attended. It made me feel extremely sad to listen to what kind of young woman she was; full of life and laughter. The Soldier was 20-years-old. She hadn't even experienced life yet. At that age everything is in front of you.

Now, on the flip side, I personally understand how hard life can be here. You're in a combat zone and at anytime you could get blown up by a road side bomb or be murdered by sniper fire. When one thinks about it, it is truly scary. Knowing there are individuals plotting on your life, day after day, is a frightening experience... And that's what we live with daily.

When you throw domestic issues on top of that, stress becomes one of the main reasons people take their lives in a combat zone. I've heard many horror stories. Wives cleaning out bank accounts. Families moving to other countries. Family members getting killed and the servicemember not being allowed to go home to grieve properly. The life of a troop in a combat zone is truly difficult... In a mental sense and definitely in a physical sense.

A man, named Francis Reynolds, said this morning that there are no reasons to take your life. I, personally, agree with this. I do not know of any reason to ever take your own life. There is nothing that bad in this world that should encourage or discourage a person enough to commit suicide.

I'm telling you right now that if you are ever feeling stressed, send me a message. We can talk. We can chat. We can do what is necessary to help you through your crisis. I'm available on twitter. I'm available on myspace and facebook. I'm available on email at new84kid@yahoo.com so please contact me so we can talk. I'm very sure that it'll help you feel better. I'm sure that everyone around you will be happy that you decided to stay with us another day.

Some Wild Things

I saw some wild things while traveling to the southern parts of Iraq. The cities included Talil and Umm Sa'ah in the Maysan Province.

While I was traveling I ran into a young Soldier who was tasked to clean the Outhouses and burn feces. I also saw a weird flock of birds take over a surveillance tower. They were deep! I even saw one of the most unusual ways to sleep. A Soldier was waiting for his flight in Talil and didn't want to miss it so he slept in the flight terminal with his alarm clock sitting in front of him. Wild!

Check them out.

Iraqi Armed Forces Day!

Having the opportunity to watch a military rise is truly a blessing. The Iraqi Forces hosted Iraqi Armed Forces Day to show their improvement and organization. It was also a day to honor the forces for their continuing effort in the struggle their nation is still enduring. Something like this is so important for the rise of their new military.

I've watched the Iraqis in 2004-2005 first hand. From then on until the beginning of 2009, I was watching them through the media. Now I am the media covering them again... Take a look at them now...