[I was originally just going to post the pictures, but I thought I’d share them in a video with me talking about them. I’m keeping the photos up since video isn’t everyone’s thing.]
I saw Wolf Blitzer reminiscing on the Iraq War last week. The Iraq war officially ended on December 15th, 2011. As he was talking about his experience with Iraq, I was remembering Iraq and thinking about my experience with him there. Don’t worry, I’m sure he doesn’t remember me – I was just assigned to escort him around our little base and answer any questions he had.
Here recently I’ve been thinking a lot about my office since we’re in a bit of a transition. When I get frustrated, I always reflect on the fact that at least I’m not living in an 8-man tent in the desert with sand in everything and constant power outages. (Notice the 2003 MacBook, iSight, and iPod.)
I’ve started to talk more about my experience “over there” since last year – and, in a Lost Rifle on A Dark Night, I shared one of my convoy experiences.. I took the following pictures from the gun turret of a HUMVEE – it was a smaller convoy, but you get the idea. Note: this is the desert, so the convoy is longer than it looks in this picture.
The people on the side of the road in the last picture were a constant source of anxiety. We were there during the time in which the civilians on the side of the road would occasionally leave explosive surprises or be in alliance with the insurgents, who also would leave explosive surprises for us. Other times, they were just kids and women, but you never could tell.
By the time you count all the armor, weapons, ammo, radio equipment, and assort what-nots in pockets, it was easy to be carrying 45 – 70 pounds of stuff on you. I swear, there’s something about those army glasses that gave you Superman vision. Unfortunately, they’re only cool in Portland, where I didn’t live at the time but currently do.
These were pictures taken in one of Saddam’s palaces. I can’t disclose why I was there, but I decided to snag some pictures.
I have so many memories of my deployment. It was both the hardest and one of the best times of my life and I’m still unraveling and implementing the lessons I learned through that crucible period. Amidst the fighting, the suffering, and the loneliness, there was brotherhood, mission, and happiness. The sunrises and sunsets were both spectacular and monumental; it was another day you got to live, another day you made it, and one day closer to home.
That’s something everyone couldn’t say. It was true then, and it’s true now.
Thank you to those served, in whatever capacity. And, for everyone else, life is precious – live it well. (Tweet this.)
Seeing these photos and reading your commentary wakes up something tender in me. It matters that you were there. It matters that the war not be an abstraction around which we polarize. Thank you for the human face.
Thank you for saying this, Molly. What’s funny is that I’ve often lamented how abstract the war seems to most at the same that I’m slow to share my own stories with there. I need to take my own counsel and stand up more – thanks for the unintended encouragement to do so.
Thank you for sharing this, Charlie.
You’re welcome, Josh!
I love seeing posts like these, and I know I’m not the only one who’s grateful to you for sharing this side of your life with us. Thank you for the glimpses, they’re so great to see more of!
While I was coming up with this, I thought: I bet Megan would like some of this. And so it is. 🙂
Charlie, thank you for your service to our country. Your personal sacrifices, and those of your fellow servicemen, are remembered in our family as we celebrate the holidays each year.
Thank you, Krys!