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Baghdad
With all that being said, I had an interesting conversation with the editor of the Southampton Press and he brought to my attention a very important point. Mr. Joe Shaw felt that the readers should also hear the other side of our tour of duty, the dangers and fears. Until now, there were a few reasons why I avoided this. I try not to discuss the dangers here with my wife too much for fear that it would only worry her more than she already is. I had taken into account all the parents, family, and loved ones back at home that may be following my columns and did not need to worry them either (right Emily?). Mr. Shaw put into perspective my obligation to the readers now that I began this project and a conversation with my mother recently, suggested that people may think we have it a lot easier than it really is. So here is the "dark side". Our days and nights are filled with loud noises; very rarely will it be quiet. There are sounds of helicopters constantly flying by, tanks rolling out with their engines roaring, and ear piercing explosions, both good and bad. It must be confusing for you but a good explosion is one detonated by the brave ordinance disposal soldiers that are destroying a roadside bomb which was found before it could harm anyone. A good explosion could also be from our soldiers returning fire on insurgent positions. A bad explosion is usually from roadside bombs, car bombs, or rockets. When we learn of the bad explosions, we as medics know it’s time to prepare for anything and no matter what we are doing, it is time to "flip the switch" and standby our treatment stations for potential casualties that we must care for. The mental anguish we experience also involves mortar and rocket attacks. Although our Camp provides much protection, it does not protect us from "Steel Rain". For those who don’t know, mortars and rockets are rather large metal projectiles that can be launched from significant distances and fall from the sky undetected until they land and explode sending metal fragments (shrapnel) that are as sharp as razor blades. Some Camps experience these attacks more frequent than others and some none at all, our Camp is somewhere in the middle of this scale. These explosions are at the very least, very, very loud (like Grucci fireworks) and most of the time come in groups. These explosions occur at any given time of day or night, and for most of us that have been here for several months now, have either become accustomed to it or it is a nerve racking event. I am somewhere in the middle. Sometimes I won’t flinch and other times I will jump when I hear a plank of wood hit the ground or a door slam! This is life at home, on our Camp. Going on convoys is another story. Leaving the security of the Camp is a hazard in itself! There are additional dangers we face such as small arms fire, roadside bombs, car bombs, and rocket propelled grenades. I have experienced all but the car bomb on one of the convoys I was on. Fortunately (God willingly), I am able to write this column every week and my family is not in mourning like many brave soldier’s families now having to. It is an experience I will never forget and am eternally grateful that none of my fellow soldiers were seriously wounded or killed. It was nothing short of a miracle; and good training prior to our arrival in Iraq. Many of us in my Company have experienced direct contact from insurgents varying in intensity, some more than others. My Commander had quite a streak going for a week or so. Experiencing physical and grueling mental hardships every day can wear anyone out, but having each other and a well trained, experienced, and compassionate Combat Stress Team (available at any time) and Chaplains of all faiths, we seem to always bounce back and prepare for the next obstacle. The bond between all service members here in Iraq (regardless of the branch in which we serve) is unique and will not falter. Every day starts a new journey into the unknown and you must constantly prepare yourself for anything and always be on top of your game especially the medical staff with whom I serve. Family and loved ones back at home are the foundation of support and we couldn’t do what we do without them! They keep us going and endure the same amount of hardships and stress as we do, just a different kind. Our family and loved ones hang in limbo day and night dreading that visit and pray for a phone call, email, or letter from us to reassure them of our safety and well being. I am sure that they also worry that we will drastically change and not be the same person that they knew us to be. For some of us, we find ourselves in financial hardship and it lies heavily on our family’s shoulders. For some of us that this pertains to, our spouses are forced to navigate through this hardship and produce positive results. Amongst these daily stresses, they still provide comfort and support from the other end of a phone line, an email, a letter, an occasional glance at their picture we keep in our pockets or wallets, and the thought of one day reuniting with them. Most days blend together and it is very easy to forget what day of the week it is. Most of us could easily tell you how many days until we go home or when someone is due to return from the States from their 15 day vacation. You must find your "light at the end of the tunnel" and keep that in the back of your mind. My light is the thought of being home with my family, going fishing with my wife, having a beer! It is the most relaxing thing that I can think of and I carry it with me 24/7. Before closing this column I would like to comment on a letter from John P. Lennon to the editor in last week’s edition. The American Flag should not be referred to as clutter! I proudly wear one on my uniform every day in combat and so does every service member that gets injured or gives the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms our citizens enjoy, including the freedom to proudly display their patriotism. Councilman Suskind should take a hard look at this resolution and remember the sacrifices made by American’s for over two centuries giving their blood and sweat whether it be on the battlefield, at work, or at home with their families trying to make, not only our country but our world a better place to live. The American Flag is a symbol of our unity towards one another and our way of life that people around the world have been repressed from! It means everything to us over here and even to the Iraqi citizens whom we have liberated! It is the symbol in which many American’s have and more are willing to give our lives for, should we be called upon to do so! If you are going to enforce a fine for flying the flag, penalize people for not flying it high enough! I find it hard to believe that the majority of Southampton residents view our Flag as clutter and an eye sore! I commend you Mr. Lennon and this resolution should be petitioned for revisit and amended for the good of patriotism. With all this being said, I am proud of what we are doing here and do not regret for one minute the cause for which we stand! I will forever be grateful for the people back at home that show us so much love and support and stand behind us 100%. To all of my friends, you have always been there for me and supported me and I am very fortunate to have you as a friend! To the Scharf Family, I am doing this for you and for John’s memory just as much as anyone else, 9/11 will forever be a dark day in my life! To my family, although I don’t say it, I love you guys more than you will ever know! To my sons Cody and Kevin, and daughter Rory, I love you so much and hope that you are proud of your Daddy! To my wife, Krisie, forgive me for not going into detail with you the dangers we face here, I was trying to protect you from it. I love you so much and you mean the world to me! Thanks for tolerating me! Signing off until next week….. DECEMBER 3, 2004 read archived articles | submit an article for review
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For those who don’t already know, I began this project with a letter to the editor, frustrated that the media only covered the "ugly" here in Iraq. I started my crusade to educate my neighbors back on the East End about the progress and all the good things that we see and do! Is there not something wrong when you remove one of the most evil dictators who slaughtered millions of his own people, and the biggest media coverage is a prison scandal involving one concentrated group of soldiers? By no means do I condone what these soldiers did, just wondering why so much concentration was given to actions of a select few as opposed to the largest liberation effort in the last 50 years.
