I was in the chow hall when the blast detonated. I was headed toward the serving line when I saw a bright flash and heard the loud thump. The nest thing that I know, I feel like someone smacked me in the back of the head real hard and kicked in the side of my knee. It wasn't till I was outside that I realized that I was bleeding. I ended up with minor shrapnel wounds to the leg, a slightly sprained knee and a buste eardrum. I was blessed. 22 brave Americans, 4 of our Iraq brothers and several innocent civilain employees fell that day. I weep for their families. Not a very Merry Christmas. I am pretty stoic about death but the soldiers that my heart goes out to the most are the brave men who conducted the mass casualty evacuation, or MASSCASEVAC. These kids turned into men that afternoon. They bore witness to things that young men shouldn't have to see. This is about the time that some pinko, tree hugging, athiest s@#$head will say "Where was your God then?" This is when I reply All life belongs to God and we all serve his purpose. When it is our time, it is our time (I told you I was stoic). Several things stick out in my mind on that day. When I was in the shelter and discovered that I was bleeding an Iraqi soldier applied first aid to me, unconcerned that I was American. All I could do was hug him and say "Shukrun" (Thank You). On that day, nationality and ethnicity did not matter. Arab, helped Kurd who helped Turk who helped American. Civilian and Military alike worked alongside like brother and sister, unconcerned for their own safety. This is the racial unity that the left is always crying aobut but can never grasp. To those, it is a notion, a dream crafted in the cocoon of irrationalism in which they live. To the God fearing folks like us, itis just a matter of fact, something ingrained in us by the Almighty. That is where MY God was. Three things stood out to me the most. The first was the aformentioned soldiering skill of the Iraqi soldier who treated me as a brother. There is hope for the future of this country as long as good men as these will take up arms against the insurgents. It also shows that our training of them has paid off. 2. a young female medic was weeping in the aid station where we were being treated. I pulled her aside and and said " I am going to tell you the same thing that I tell my daughters 'You need to be a big brave girl, These soldiers are counting on you and you can't be crying infront of them'" She tried so hard to be that big brave girl, inspite of the horror that she had seen. 3. The only female battalion commander that we have was the commander of the Aid station where I was taken. She is hard as nails and takes no guff from anyone, but on that day she showed me a kindness that reminded me of my Mom. Everyone needs their mother in a time like that. The leftist and the peaceniks and the cowards and the appeasers in our country will never understand the struggle that we face hear. They only see the ugliness of the situation and use it for their political purposes. As for me, I saw the face of God that day, I saw the promise of the future of Iraq and the best that we ,as a peopel can be. To all my beloved Freepers God bless and take care of us back home Martywake
You've reminded us of what true courage, faith and brotherhood are all about. We love you, man.
Our prayers as always are with all of you, and your respective families and friends...
I am so full of thanks, for you and the others who do this hard, nasty work for us back here. I also want you to know, that it is you, heros all, that make me so damn proud of our country, and what we stand for. I am praying every waking minute for all of your health and safety.
Thank you martywake, that just doesn't seem to cover the debt owed to all our veterans but it is heartfelt. You and all our troops are in my prayers. Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year.
We pray for you and all of our men and women. The risks you face and the sacrifices you make humble us all. You know the reasons are right, we know the reasons are right...history will find a rightful place for the doubters and the cynics.
Thank you Marty.
You bet we will. Thank you Martywake.
Thank you for your service, your courage and your sacrifice.
Ongoing prayers lifted for the brave who serve and their families.
May God bless and comfort all who grieve this terrible loss.
May God continue to Bless and protect you. Thank you for your service to ensure our freedoms.
Praying for your speedy recovery.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
We continue to pray for our troops so far from home this Christmas season; we continue to pray for their families.
Be safe.
Thank you.
God Bless Marty. You all have been in my prayers, and will stay there till you get home.
Oh my. Thank you for that account of what happened on that horrible day. Can only begin to imagine the chaos, pain and suffering that took place. You stated everything so clearly. I think if we would all see and treat each other individually that we would come to know and understand each other as God's creations and the human beings we are. One on one instead of grouping.We are glad you were administered to by someone so caring as the person that helped you and that you were able to give strength to others who were feeling the despair of what had happened.
We thank you for your service to our country and the future of Iraq. We know there are good people there. We know our own media do not report the good that happens there by the Iraqi people and our American military. For that they should be so ashamed but they are not. They would rather create a firestorm stirring everyone up so that the USA will give in and pull out.
We will continue to support you and all the troops. We pray for you and we speak up for you. We have a President who cares for you all in spite of what the hateful media like to report.
Stay strong. Keep your faith. God bless you and we're glad you are still with us. Once again thank you for your service to our country. We Freepers are proud of you and all your brothers and sisters and we continue to pray for your safe return home to the United States and to your loved ones.
We are so grateful to you and all those like you.
Thank you for sharing that. What a Christmas message of good tidings it is.
I too weep for the families of those lost. I won't forget them- nor do I want their sacrifices to be in vain. Evey time I face the American flag I will remember your letter and I will remember that while I cry with pride, a fellow American cries with pain.
May God hold them close and never let them down.
Merry Christmas Marty. And thank you.
Thank you and God Bless each and every one
PING!
Words fail.
You've got my support and prayers. Thank you for all you do.
God bless you and keep you safe. Please tell your brothers and sisters in arms that we are praying for all of you.
Without reading another response to yours, martywake, I write this to you with tears in my eyes. God bless you and keep you safe, dear one. We love you and pray for you all daily. I only wish we could do more. Maybe because of you and your buddies in Iraq, one day you and yours will kiss under an apple tree, and all the gore will be gone from your minds forever, and there will be peace and justice once more on both sides of the globe. Thank you.