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Operation iraqi freedom
Operation iraqi freedom













operation iraqi freedom

We were doing a job we basically volunteered for when we raised our right hands, and said: I ask myself "Why?", and I can not come up with an answer. They should have come home with me, not die there in an awful part of the world that didn't care about their existance. I miss them, I see their faces every day. I do not want to accept that, and I will not. For a while I accepted their loss by saying that their deaths taught the unit something. One of them wasn't even able to buy alcohol, yet he was old enough to die for his country (that is an arguement for later). They didn't get to feel the joy of having children. Those two Heros didn't get to see their family again. Why? Did they die for me? Did they die for freedom? The loyal thing to say at the time was that they did. My company lost two outstanding Americans on those same roads we patrolled. All we were doing was "scratching an itch" that was caused by our very presence. I can't really think of any way in which I was helping the Iraqi people with "IED patrols". Some were found, but most times they detonated on our patrols or some other unfortunate American Convoy. Most times these crude devices were concealed quite well. In vehicles that were unfit for these specific duties ( hey we were saving money for the levees in New Orleans). Basically we patrolled a 30km stretch of highway at 5-10mph looking for IEDs. My duties over there can be summed up as "riding around waiting to get blown up". All the while these soldiers were following orders, trying to preserve the security and stability of Mahmoud and his family. What about the American patrol? What has happened is that they have been portrayed as "fools" and "weak".

operation iraqi freedom

What does the Soldier gain from this scenario? Nothing! Meanwhile, Mahmoud's stock went up with his tribe and family and pockets some money for the insurgency. All the while Mahmoud is at home waiting for his counterpart to arrive after performing the duties of "triggerman" for the IED on the American patrol. Hopefully these Soldiers were not injured, but most times they are. Now this "combat patrol" begins their movement back to base and encounters an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) along their route. In the meantime Mahmoud walks off with $50 (est. This commander ramps up a "combat patrol" and sends them out to this location to secure 3 hollow rusted unservicable 81mm mortar rounds. military commander and say he has information on a "weapon dump". He'll place these rounds in a secluded area then find the local U.S. Let's say for instance that Mahmoud needs a few dollars, he will go to a local ammunition stockpile and secure a few mortar rounds. They know the power and value of the "American Dollar", and will do what ever is necessary to get it. They were lazy, and all they wanted to know was what we can give them. Every where I went, within my units sector, I encountered people asking for "handouts". After a few months, I started to see that this was not the case. I believed that Iraqis were "good" people. Through providing secure environments, and stability to aid in the reconstruction of this turbulent area. I can't speak for everyone, but I left for Iraq with the pride of knowing that I would be a hand in helping the Iraqi people.

operation iraqi freedom

To fight with those brothers/sisters in arms that share in their hardships, fears, and longing to come home. Most military members serving in, or who have served in Iraq will say they serve for the person on their left and right. Young American Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Sailors lose their lives daily in an unforgiving, and foreign land for what? Their country? The security of their family? For Freedom? For Iraq?















Operation iraqi freedom