Posted on 12/23/2004 11:26:57 AM PST by martywake
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
Thank you for all the work that you do, and get well soon.
Stay safe FRiend.
Thank you martywake and all the other men who put their lives on the line every day for us. I'm not sure we deserve it, but we are thankful! God Bless you all, we pray for you continually.
Thank you and god bless.
Thinking and praying for all the armed forces everyday and giving thanks to God for their service. God Bless You!
Thank you for sharing and for serving!
God bless each one of you over there and Merry Christmas from a grateful American!
Keep safe!
God Bless and keep Watch over You!
Wonderful. Thank You for your courage and the courage of those you are serving with. This country owes all of you in Iraq a great debt of gratitude for your sacrifice.
Our hearts and prayers are with you all. Stay safe and come home soon. God Bless you again.
Thank you for your letter.
Try to stay safe! We're praying for you.
Hugs from MI.
God bless you and others that are there with you.
Praying for our troops bump.
"You know, I'm going to start thanking
the woman who cleans the restroom in
the building I work in. I'm going to start
thinking of her as a human being"
BE STRONG AMERICA STRONG PERSON! BE STRONG!!!!THANK YOU
God Bless and a Joyous Christmas for you and yours.
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.