When It Hits Home.
I was at the P.X. with the family yesterday and I ran into a buddy who was in the ambush where my friend was killed. He had his arm in a cast from where the round shattered and I couldn't help but glance at it as he told the story. They were walking back to the vehicles when it happened. One man with an RPK and two others with AK's opened up and hit 6 of the 7. The Haj' was in a truck that came up behind them. My friend caught it in the abdomen just below his beltline, it severed his femoral and he bled out there. They returned fire but it was too late to make a difference. The guy I ran into was hit in the chest and the abdomen but his SAPI plate stopped it. When he rolled over to see what had happened one round hit his MCH helmet, it stopped that one too.
The strange thing was that he saw our friend die even after he was hit 4 times. One man was paralyzed in the attack and the one lucky bastard who wasn't hit tried to return fire but was tending to wounded at the same time. This kid is about 22 years old and now may lose some use of his right arm. He's not an invalid but it's enough to notice. He may be able to stay in the Army and he is going to try to.
This is not an anti-war statement and I don't want any false sympathy or "we support our soldiers" crap. One of the brothers died doing his job and all I can hear on the news is WMD, lost explosives, election, Bush, Kerry. Only NPR gives any coverage, real coverage to the dead soldiers. No partisan bullshit just a word with the families and a brief bio on the Joe that was killed and how.
We need to finish this for all those that aren't going to make it home. Let them have died for something other than getting some politician a first or second term. I am really sick of the negative press from reporters in cush positions and pundits doing the rah rah wave the flag thing. Come ask Joe what he thinks; fuck Bush, Kerry, and the press. Let me do my job, stop the fake support because it's politically or provincially expedient, and don't ask us what it's like. Like the Tootsie Pop; the world may never know.
The strange thing was that he saw our friend die even after he was hit 4 times. One man was paralyzed in the attack and the one lucky bastard who wasn't hit tried to return fire but was tending to wounded at the same time. This kid is about 22 years old and now may lose some use of his right arm. He's not an invalid but it's enough to notice. He may be able to stay in the Army and he is going to try to.
This is not an anti-war statement and I don't want any false sympathy or "we support our soldiers" crap. One of the brothers died doing his job and all I can hear on the news is WMD, lost explosives, election, Bush, Kerry. Only NPR gives any coverage, real coverage to the dead soldiers. No partisan bullshit just a word with the families and a brief bio on the Joe that was killed and how.
We need to finish this for all those that aren't going to make it home. Let them have died for something other than getting some politician a first or second term. I am really sick of the negative press from reporters in cush positions and pundits doing the rah rah wave the flag thing. Come ask Joe what he thinks; fuck Bush, Kerry, and the press. Let me do my job, stop the fake support because it's politically or provincially expedient, and don't ask us what it's like. Like the Tootsie Pop; the world may never know.
posted by Combat Doc at 8:29 PM
5 Comments:
Doc: Do you know that you have to mourn your friend's loss, even though both you and he are soldiers? Even when death is a constant and primary possibility, the loss of a friend needs mourning. You may have to "stuff" the feelings for awhile to get your job done, but I hope you come to a point of allowing yourself to grieve for your buddy, so you can honor his life and get on with yours.
My son, who rcently returned from that sandbox, has had some real issues dealing with his emotions. He didn't lose anyone REALLY close to him, although, of course, he knew soldiers who won't be coming home.
He alternates between intense loyalty to the Army and being angry, even outraged at the same Army. He's trying to help his driver (he's a Cav scout) get a fair amount of disability. The kid has shrapnel in his spine and shoulders. He can't stay in the Army 'cuz he can't do PT...he's unable to lift his arms shoulder height or above, and he can't bend at the waist. The "board" is trying to give him 25% disability and my son thinks that's way too low. The kid is a farmer back home, and doing that kind of physical will be beyond his ability. But my son's just a frustrated sergeant trying to champion his driver. My guess is that he will lose. When this fight is over, my son will probably begin again to feel the grieving process that he placed "on hold" to work for this soldier.
I won't give you meaningless support, Doc, but please know you're in my thoughts and prayers. a mom
"We need to finish this for all those that aren't going to make it home. Let them have died for something other than getting some politician a first or second term. "
Hopefully that's something that everyone can agree on no matter who is elected tomorrow...
Thanks for the comment on my board. I'm going to blogroll you if that's okay. I don't have any conservative links on my board yet. Haven't found one worth my time until I saw yours.
Amen my friend!
It is a double edge sword sometimes when you think about. Talking about the realism of war. You open your life and experiences to total strangers. A majority of the time people just listen. However you get the occasional asshole that doesn't know adversity if it hit him in the face. Just say what is on your mind. This blog, all of this is therapeutic, atleast for me!
American Soldier
www.soldierlife.blogspot.com
Do not forget that many of us are supposed to be grown up enough to handle constructive critisism. I do not know how I would have responded in the same situation had someone been laying fire upon my friends while hitting me a few times. Words cannot summarize the total life experience, including the attrocities which leave carnage in full view. There are better men than I in our Armed Forces and Homeland Security but that is not the point. There is a cry for justice which cannot be atoned for with an eye for an eye,...
I hope that you continue to point the finger at us Doc because you have a real gift to hit the target. We have lived through a time of history which may not be steeped in forgiveness after everything is over and done with, rather contempt has taken a foot hold in our culture and lives. Doc is right about the media, and we should hear about the individuals' sacrifice that earns medals and praise amongst their peers!
I hear, understand, and agree with your frustrations.
Nothing fake in my constant thoughts/prayers that you all come home safe, and with the families who experience the loss most dearly. You are all our true heroes.
blog on!
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