God bless and keep safe our troops. Thanks, smooth.....I needed a box of kleenex!
Posted on 06/24/2005 3:56:09 PM PDT by smoothsailing
Commentary: Support for the Troops Never Stronger
By Capt. Steve Alvarez, USA
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, June 24, 2005 – When I came home from Iraq a couple of months ago, I kept the promise I made while I was still there: I wouldn't watch the news, and I'd step away from the war, ignoring the events that had consumed my life 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It was time to catch up with my family and make them the focus of my life 24/7.
For about a month I was able to successfully ignore the constant horrid imagery and sensational reports filed from Iraq. But as a public affairs officer and self-proclaimed news junkie, I soon found myself scanning headlines on the Web and tuning into radio news programs, instead of my favorite jazz station.
I don't think the charred skeletal remains of a vehicle-borne explosive device are the watermark of this war. The images I see back here are not the same indelible images I saw in Iraq - those of a resilient country making its way back from decades of oppression - helped by the many friendly nations that liberated them.
But now I'm on the sidelines, and instead of feeling and hearing the car bomb explode and seeing its eerie black plume of smoke rise nearby, I read about it. And rather than witness history as I did for a year, I find myself writing my comrades to get accurate accounts of what is happening in Iraq.
What I saw in Iraq was the boundless bravery of a seemingly endless line of Iraqi recruits gathered to join the Iraqi army, the smiles and waves of Iraqis as we convoyed through the city of Sulaymaniyah, the first flight of the Iraqi air force, and the sound of Iraqi tank guns as they thundered for the first time in years in support of liberty, not tyranny.
I remember the jubilation of my Iraqi friends as they showed off their ink-stained fingers, a badge of honor on their fingertips, indicating they had voted in their country's first democratic election in decades. I remember the Iraqi female military police soldiers who became pioneers for women in that region by joining the Iraqi military, clearing not just personal hurdles, but cultural ones.
Mostly, I remember the thousands of Iraqi and coalition troops that each day hunted the enemy and kept me safe. I remember the drivers and gunners on convoy, the pilots and crew chiefs in the sky, the sentries and tankers at the gates, and all of the warriors who were out there trying to make Iraq a better and safer place.
Someday, probably decades from now, the actions of this generation and its brave men and women will grace history books. The lesson, I'm confident, will be that they left a peaceful and productive imprint on the region and its people, and forever changed the landscape of the Middle East.
Despite what is being reported and what is reflected in media opinion polls, there is no doubt in my mind that the public is behind the troops in Iraq.
While I was in Iraq, I received hundreds of Christmas cards from students at an elementary school and from members of a church in Florida. A sorority from Indiana sent dozens of letters and cards of support, and Americans from all over the country sent me e-mails from places like Chicago, Sacramento, and Texas just to name a few.
Wool caps made by an Internet knitting club kept me warm during the cold winter months in Iraq and donated phone cards kept me in touch with my family who waited for me more than 6,000 miles away. Care packages stuffed with goodies and comfort items were never in short supply at our command. In fact, we had to appoint a "morale sergeant" to manage all of the goodwill pouring into our compound.
When I came home in uniform on R&R, strangers approached me at the airport and shook my hand, patted me on the back, and thanked me. Airline employees did what they could, offering passes to their VIP lounges and upgrades to first class, and those airlines who had nothing to offer did what they could-extra pillows, fistfuls of peanut or pretzel bags and free headsets. But their "thanks" alone was enough for me.
Ask any returning war veteran and I'm sure you'll find their experience was similar. At one point I was so overwhelmed by the outpouring that I found myself in an airport restroom trying to keep my composure after a mother walked passed me with her two sons and one of them said aloud, "Thank you, Soldier," his brother waving anxiously at me.
On my return to the war after R&R, a few other soldiers and I were dining on one last restaurant-cooked meal in the airport when the waitress approached us and told us that another patron had paid for our meal.
We thanked the man but said we couldn't accept his offer. He replied that it was "the least I can do for you guys," adding, "We're all proud of you."
In my town when I came home after the war, I passed homes displaying yellow ribbons and flying U.S. flags. At my welcome home party, a restaurant donated food for more than 100 guests and people all over the city made it a point to express their support and gratitude.
The support I received bordered on immense. Never had I expected such support, and never had I received so much for merely doing my job.
My memories of Iraq will forever be engrained in my mind alongside of the memories of the incredible outpouring I received when I came home. They are one.
Last weekend, keeping true to the promise I made to make my family the 24/7 focal point I attended a baseball game on Father's Day and during the seventh inning stretch there was a salute to U.S. military personnel serving the war on terror.
A singer proudly sang "God Bless America" and all around me, people joined in and sang along.
My personal opinion poll has found, plus or minus a few percentage points, that the American people unconditionally support the soldiers in Iraq. I arrive at this conclusion having experienced their support firsthand, and having been held in their warm embrace upon my return from the war.
And the support continues today. When I recently learned about the opinion poll results I e-mailed one of my stateside supporters who befriended me during the war. I wrote him to say hello, and to restate my appreciation for his support during my deployment.
I asked him if he had heard about the media opinion polls and he replied as I had when I learned of the poll.
"News to me."
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jun2005/20050624_1845.html
This is no suprise to us! Thank you all!
bump!
Great story!
Where was the hanky Alert?
My monitor is all blurred.
The truth will out ~ Bump!
It is a great story and I'm glad Tonk pinged it around to everybody.
Have a wonderful weekend,Mrs.Nooseman !! :^)
Thanks!
Thank you for your report; the FReeper action at Walter Reed immensely warms my heart and lifts my spirit. So I know the troops and veterans are thrilled, too.
JAN, they ARE my children, every one of them...
Your rant is most welcome. It is despicable and beneath contempt that the Dems are now using our military as partisan ammo. It's got to stop.
ping!
GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS
I have found this level of support to be consistent for all servicemembers regardless of where we are stationed. It gives me chills when someone says "Thank you, soldier" and I suddenly realize they are talking to me.
God bless and keep safe our troops. Thanks, smooth.....I needed a box of kleenex!
Thank You,Soldier
Next time. LOL! Great story, smooth. Thanks for posting.
you all always put a smile on my face.
Thanks for posting that- Justanobody!
I've been in your shoes and agree wholeheartedly.
When I stepped off the plane in Dallas for R&R leave, I discovered a problem in my ticket which the volunteer information person helped me figure out. I was nearly the last to come through the incoming terminal gate. As I stepped through the gate, I was met by a manager for American Airlines who ushered me to the next door. At that door, there were about 40 men and women from the VFW and Ladies Auxillary who cheered for me and shook my hand. I was personally taken aback. Because I had a very short time to get to my connecting flight, I had to leave before I could talk to most of them.
The men and women in that room defended our nation in times when they weren't appreciated. Their respect for our military means more to me today than from anyone else.
After leaving the gate, the American Airlines manager took me by company car to the next ticket counter and escorted me to the front of a long line. The lady at the counter said, "We'll fix your ticket for you, Soldier."
When I finally arrived home in Wichita Falls, Texas I was in desert uniform and had no other clothing. My folks took me to Walmart. It seemed that I couldn't walk for more than ten steps before someone would say thank you or shake my hand. It was almost overwhelming since I, like most of my other military peers, tend to try to keep a low profile.
One thing the experience did was to strengthen my belief that the American people are truly in our corner. Going back to Iraq was hard but at least I knew the score on the homefront.
Other soldiers in my unit have shared similar stories. Most of them, like me, were a little embarassed at the attention but all of them felt respected. It always brings a smile to our faces to remember.
Thank you America. We love you, too!
SGT C.
Al Asad (The Lion), Iraq
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