Posted on 07/06/2005 9:33:12 AM PDT by nuke rocketeer
July 5th, 2005 in Iraq... The weather over the past couple of days has been horrible. The dust has been so thick, you can barely see 100 feet in front of you. When you go anywhere, whether it be to work or the the chow hall, you are covered with a fine layer of sand and have grit in your mouth. It wouldn't be so bad if it were not for the suffocating heat, as being outside for any length of time cause your uniform to wilt and your body to be soaked with sweat. Add the two of these together, and you can imagine the result. On my way back from lunch today, the sweat was pouring down my face, coupled with the blowing sand, I was a mess before I returned. If you can imagine sweating mud, that would be a close to my day.
With that said, while at lunch I was dining with an Air Force fireman who volunteers at CASF, talking with the injured soldiers. He was telling me, as we were sharing stories of the different soldiers we had talked to, how he has been having a tough time lately. He said, "It's so hard sometimes to look them in the face when they are so badly burned, or missing eyes, limbs, etc..." I was so thankful that God had placed him with me today at lunch, because I was dealing with some of the same issues. We were able to talk through some of the issues that had been bothering us and we both felt better for discussing it. I can only imagine what the soldiers in the field go through each day, if this Airman and myself deal with issues just sitting and talking with injured soldiers. I can only imagine their anguish and permanent emotional scars they will carry for years, possibly for life. I will have a hard time putting behind me the things I have seen and dealt with being here, I can only pray these soldiers will find peace someday.
Just wanted to say thank you for all of you that continue to support me and my family while I am away. The prayers have been answered many times and the encourging notes have allowed me to endure many a tough time. You have all been so inspirational to me, and the way God's family comes together in the time of crisis and need. You have been a husband and father to my wife and children, you have been the stability in my home when I could not be, and their comfort when I could only pray. You have all blessed me beyond what I could have imagined and I will always be eternally grateful. I miss my family more that words could ever express, but I am comforted knowing they are well taken care of. To say thank you doens't seem enough, but its all I have now. Please know I am grateful for all your sacrifice back home.
In His Servic, Coach Horne
===================================================
In Psalm 18:28-36 says, "You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. he trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give my your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn." Life here has been tough lately as the insurgents have been pounding us pretty good since the beginning of the month. We have had 10 Alarm Reds since the first and have been in our full battle gear since the second of July. As most mortars fall harmlessly (without damage to life) to the ground, at times though, they hit their mark. Due to that fact, you tend to allow Satan to creap into your thoughts and give you an overwhelming feeling of anxiety and fear. I work a mile or so from my trailer, and especially at night, my anxiety grows with each incoming mortar, hearing them get closer and close praying that they would stop. Walking home late at night and hearing the sound of small arms fire just outside the wire, wondering if those soldiers are o.k. and whether or not they will return in the night. I know it doesn't compare to those who risk their live daily outside the wire, those who fight in close quarters combat, however, to know your life could change, even be taken from you in an instant is something Satan uses to pull on your heart strings. Every night I lay my head upon my pillow, I wonder if I will be awoken to the sound of incoming mortars or a siren to let us know one has already come. Whether or not I will wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of F-16's scrambling to hit their mark. Each day, you wake, thanking the Father above that their were no injuries in the night and pray for a quiet day.
I often wonder when I get home, what life will be like when there is nothing but silence in the night. What it will be like to hear a loud boom, only to be the pop of a balloon or something falling to the ground. I wonder what it will be like to pray at night for the safety of the men and women over here, knowing I need no longer to pray for my own. I wonder what it will be like to take a shower and not have to carry my battle gear to and fro. What will it be like to hear a siren and know I have nothing to fear, except to wonder if I am driving to fast. I wonder all of these things, and I won't have to wonder much longer as I will be flying home to Norfolk, Va during the first week of September. That's right....THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER. We received word this week we have a hard date for returning home. It will be a few months earlier than I had anticipated, but I am sure I can get use to the idea.
Thank you all for your daily prayers, as they have been answered. I am thankful for my time here and would do it again, for I believe what we do here is just and right and I pray someday the Iraqi people will live in the same peace we do in the United States. I am not naive to believe they should have the same government or the same laws, as that is not what their beliefs and way of life dictate. I do pray, however, they are able to live in peace, without fear from a dictator or the lawlessness they have become so accustomed to. I pray you all have an OUTSTANDING day and remember to take care of each other.
In His Service, Coach Horne
P.S. I attended another Patriot Detail today. An Army Specialist was killed and is being sent home to his family. They have not yet released his name, so I will not give it out today. Please just pray that his family find peace and comfort in this difficult time.
Letters from Iraq ~ Bump!
:}}}}}}}}}
Tears and gratitude for all they do. God bless them all.
:):):)
"Tears and gratitude for all they do. God bless them all."!!!!!Amen!!!! thank you
Thanks for the ping! God bless these soldiers--they endure a lot to keep us free. Pray that they are successful and stay safe!
"...I was dining with an Air Force fireman who volunteers at CASF, talking with the injured soldiers...."
Thought you might be interested in these letters since one mentions firemen! Haven't seen you lately--you doing okay?
Bump - Care and support for our Troops, always a priority.
Thank you for Posting these Letters, Nuke Rocketeer, and Thank you for Pinging me to them, dear Sara!
Letters from Iraq bump to the top!
Our guys are the best!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.