Maun from Iraq: They'll Follow Us Home
by
LTC Joe Maun from Iraq
It has been an interesting week. As a soldier, I cannot take sides in a public political debate. As an American I can say that it is better that these things, as terrible as they seem, happen over here and not on the streets of a US city.
The fanatics hate America and all that we stand for. People who think that peace will be achieved by the Military leaving completely at a specific time or moving from the area and "Re-deploying to a safe distance" is wrong. These people will follow us.
I firmly believe that I will see ambulances with our children’s feet sticking out the back if we do not finish this the right way. The peace-at-any-cost group in the US get a lot of play over here.
We are reliving history. The bloodiest part of World War II for the US was in the last year, not the first. Imagine the American Army redeploying to Florida instead of stepping off the beach at Normandy. We have a job to do over here. I pray that we are allowed to finish it.
Here are some other observations I have made:
Last Sunday 13 May:
This week has been relatively quiet. The numbers of explosions and alerts seems to be way down which makes the days seem more routine. As a result on my Friday morning off I was able to take advantage of a personal tour around Baghdad or at least the IZ (International Zone).
My guide’s name was Louay (Pronounced Louie). He took me to see the Tigris River and various palaces that Saddam’s family lived in and carried out unspeakable terrors. I even went to the Al Rasheed Hotel where many western journalists have stayed and covered the bombings of both wars. I got a chance to drive right up to the 14th of July Bridge which is the last check point before the "Red Zone". His English is without a noticeable accent and he was able to help me haggle with local merchants.
All was great but the most interesting thing about the tour was the fact that my guide Louay has a serious bounty on his head. Louay was born in Baghdad and even went to college here. During the Desert Storm he and his family fled the country. Louay ended up in the US, worked hard in the private sector and eventually earned his US citizenship. Louay was living the good life on the west coast in his new homeland and was a proud occupant of American’s melting pot.
Louay, however, decided to do more. He became a member of the State Department and volunteered to come back to Iraq. He works in an area directly involved in the rebuilding of Iraq. His language skills and knowledge of local customs is invaluable to our efforts. He was able to visit the neighborhood that he grew up in before tighter security made that to difficult. He is particularly wanted, however, by those that are dead set against us being here and should he be captured his fate would almost certainly be horrible. He is proud to serve his new country, proud of his heritage, and believes in a democratic and peaceful Iraq. He is my friend.
Saturday night there was a special ceremony that I was a part of. Soldiers who serve in Combat or Combat Support units in a war zone are allowed to wear that unit’s patch on their right sleeve. It is officially called a Distinctive Unit Insignia but more commonly called a "Combat Patch". I was called up in front of my peers and the Commanding General affixed the patch to my right sleeve with a very hard slap (Velcro holds it in place). It was bad timing that I had just gotten a painful vaccine in that same location only one hour before. Still I could not help but say to the General, "Is it on Sir?"
This is a tradition that dates back to WWII. I received the patch with some very mixed emotion. It is the tangible symbol that I am now truly a "Veteran". Because I have spent time at the hospital I have seen what being a Veteran means in cost to our nation. I know the faces of many young men and women who are keeping me safe and protecting my patch.
During my career with the Army I met hundred of soldiers who wore patches of all kinds on their right sleeve and wonder where they got them. I know now that it is not important where they got their Combat Patch. What is important is that America has such soldiers that are willing to step forward and into harms way so that I can have all that I have.
We really are not "Army Strong" we are "America Strong" and we should not forget that. To all of the veterans that have gone before me, thank you.
LTC Joseph M. Maun
Other postings from Joe:
- "From one of our own in Baghdad," May 7, 2007
- "A Fun Day in Iraq," May 10, 2007
