tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post111515924454059145..comments2023-08-20T04:44:26.157-04:00Comments on A Soldier's Thoughts: IT WAS STILL DARK...Zachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13788548920729883920noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-34225823982396763522011-09-23T14:19:47.126-04:002011-09-23T14:19:47.126-04:00You tell this story in such a delicate way. Your w...You tell this story in such a delicate way. Your words are eye opening to a lot of people, including myself, about how soldiers (past and present) have to deal with the aftermath of war. <br /><br />I'm not from the USA, but I know being away from your family is a huge sacrifice. I must thank you for your courage and bravery to talk about your experiences.<br />Also, you're quite the writer. Your words brought me to tears from the image you placed in my mind.<br /><br />I know this is 6 years later, but I really hope that everything worked out for your family. <br /><br />Thank you again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-79562353884955339622007-05-07T15:03:00.000-04:002007-05-07T15:03:00.000-04:00Thank you for sharing this moving account with us!...Thank you for sharing this moving account with us! It is tragic that anything in this world would bring us to such situations! I included a link to this blog in a poem I wrote today. You can see it at:<BR/><BR/>http://gehmflor.blogspot.com/2007/05/just-go-on-living.html<BR/><BR/>Contrary to what a previous comment stated, I believe in a God who cares for both American Soldiers and Iraqi civilians and also everyone else in the world! I believe God is heartbroken as well by these tragedies and has promised one day to create a new Earth and to wipe away all our tears! This whole world is enemy territory - the enemy is Satan!Heather Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12850446131530649811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1136663653919011972006-01-07T14:54:00.000-05:002006-01-07T14:54:00.000-05:00Get away from this hellhole! The whole world is ag...Get away from this hellhole! The whole world is against the useless killing. The leaders of the country´s aint listening to the people. <BR/><BR/>Religion is stupid, believe in yourself.<BR/><BR/>Hubert<BR/><BR/>http://vleeschnochvisch.web-log.nl/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1136034368011381712005-12-31T08:06:00.000-05:002005-12-31T08:06:00.000-05:00the above Koran 9:11 is a hoax!! Must be a Bush st...the above Koran 9:11 is a hoax!! Must be a Bush stalwart for buying those hoax. The above dude must still think Iraq had WMD.<BR/><BR/>http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/k/koran-war.htm<BR/><BR/>This is what God said in Koran 9:11<BR/><BR/>"But if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, they are your brethren in faith; and we make the communications clear for a people who know."<BR/><BR/>Chalibi must loves the above dude.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1125425768821782502005-08-30T14:16:00.000-04:002005-08-30T14:16:00.000-04:00VERY INTERESTING -1. The garden of Eden was in Ira...VERY INTERESTING -<BR/><BR/>1. The garden of Eden was in Iraq.<BR/><BR/>2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!<BR/><BR/>3. Noah built the ark in Iraq .<BR/><BR/>4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq.<BR/><BR/>5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Ira q!<BR/><BR/>6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq.<BR/><BR/>7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq.<BR/><BR/>8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq.<BR/><BR/>9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel.<BR/><BR/>10. Amos cried out in Iraq!<BR/><BR/>11. Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem.<BR/><BR/>12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq!<BR/><BR/>13. The three Hebrew children were in! the fire in Iraq (Jesus had been<BR/>in Iraq also as the fourth person in the fiery furnace!)<BR/><BR/>14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in<BR/>Iraq.<BR/><BR/>15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into<BR/>Iraq.<BR/><BR/>16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq.<BR/><BR/>17. The wise men were from Iraq.<BR/><BR/>18. Peter preached in Iraq.<BR/><BR/>19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon,<BR/>which was a city in Iraq!<BR/><BR/>And you have probably seen this one. Israel is the nation most often<BR/>mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is<BR/>Iraq! However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names<BR/>used in the Bible are Babylon, Land of Shinar, and Mesopotamia.<BR/>The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between<BR/><BR/>the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The name Iraq, means country with deep<BR/><BR/>roots.<BR/><BR/>Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and! is a very significant<BR/>country in the Bible.<BR/><BR/>No other nation , except Israel, has more history and prophecy<BR/>associated with it than Iraq.<BR/><BR/>And also... This is something to think about! Since America is<BR/>typically represented by an eagle. Saddam should have read up on his<BR/>Muslim passages...<BR/><BR/>The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible)<BR/><BR/>Koran (9:11) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a<BR/>fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the<BR/>lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair<BR/>still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of<BR/>Allah;<BR/>and there was peace.<BR/><BR/>something that was sent in an email to meAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1124975097990307642005-08-25T09:04:00.000-04:002005-08-25T09:04:00.000-04:00FRIENDS im cold and t...FRIENDS<BR/> <BR/>im cold and tired and ready for sleep<BR/>cause we rode all night , in it hip deep<BR/>tring to stay alive just one more night<BR/>with nowhere to go and one more to fight<BR/> <BR/>for the mission comes first and true to call<BR/>we just can't stop,we can not fall<BR/>from up in the gun truck,we hear the call<BR/>get back in,they need us all<BR/><BR/>the tears come hard when the terror stops<BR/>for my friend lays quite and i see the drops<BR/>it starts as a stain,then fills up his shirt<BR/>i can't stop the flow,i can't stop the hurt<BR/><BR/>so we drive like hell and waste no time<BR/>for a second lost is never regained<BR/>so waste no time and live every day<BR/>because thats what a soldier said that day. <BR/><BR/>time heals all wounds or so they say<BR/>but the scene plays again,day after day<BR/>it won't go away,i can't stop to say<BR/>i did my best on that cold winter day<BR/><BR/>in all this time of darkness <BR/>with this war we make on man<BR/>but if he is my brother<BR/>should i take his life instead?<BR/><BR/>do i have the right?<BR/>or is my cause so just?<BR/>i'm just another soldier <BR/>on my journey into dust,<BR/><BR/>but the light shine's through the darkness<BR/>and i see it up ahead<BR/>it's hope,for all mankind <BR/>and peace across this land. <BR/>still here allways here <BR/> by ssg john s. jones<BR/> iraq dec 2004<BR/>FOR MY FALLEN BROTHERS 2/278TH ACRCavcom278https://www.blogger.com/profile/11901273652130328853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1124973087856054692005-08-25T08:31:00.000-04:002005-08-25T08:31:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Cavcom278https://www.blogger.com/profile/11901273652130328853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1124410508995870042005-08-18T20:15:00.000-04:002005-08-18T20:15:00.000-04:00Zach,I hope you get to go home and leave the Army ...Zach,<BR/><BR/>I hope you get to go home and leave the Army soon, but we need thoughtful, sensitive and ethical people like you in Iraq and Afganistan. Every one who dies in war, even our enemies, are human and loved by someone. When an innocent child dies, that focuses our attention on the humanity. <BR/><BR/>I am always amazed when I hear people say prayers asking that God watch over our troops, which they should, but they neglect to pray for the innocent civilians in the cross-fire, let alone our enemies. Jesus told us we must love our enemies. Can't we just pray that the war end and no one else die?The Seriously Illhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17674544419948571517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1119389578718581682005-06-21T17:32:00.000-04:002005-06-21T17:32:00.000-04:00Beautifully written, unfortunate event.Beautifully written, unfortunate event.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1119378806426405612005-06-21T14:33:00.000-04:002005-06-21T14:33:00.000-04:00:o omg:o omgAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1115754326638036762005-05-10T15:45:00.000-04:002005-05-10T15:45:00.000-04:00My nephew is 19 (also named Zach) and in the Army ...My nephew is 19 (also named Zach) and in the Army (still in training). When he enlisted he had romantic visions. Before he enlisted I tried to tell him that there are worse things then being maimed or killed. Killing an innocent man or woman or child or family is much, much worse. It does not end with those killed, it wrecks you and all those who knew that innocent person. <BR/><BR/>This is what the dogs of war are. The price is not just 1500 dead Americans and $X-hundreds-of-billions of dollars. Sgt. Zachary Scott-Singley is part of the bill. His conscience is part of the price. His family is part of the price. The family of the Iraqi toddler are part of the price. And millions just like them. The bill is too large and can never be paid. <BR/><BR/>I wish I could have shown my nephew this story before he enlisted. This war (all war) makes good men do evil. It makes ordinary Iraqis strap bombs to their bodies and it makes good soldiers shoot toddlers in the night. <BR/><BR/>Thank you for sharing this story Mr. Scott-Singley. I am in awe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1115520052792404962005-05-07T22:40:00.000-04:002005-05-07T22:40:00.000-04:00Your words have touch me deeply. May God keep you ...Your words have touch me deeply. May God keep you safe and bring you home soon to your family.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1115431440353159442005-05-06T22:04:00.000-04:002005-05-06T22:04:00.000-04:00Thank you for your honesty and for demonstrating t...Thank you for your honesty and for demonstrating that the Abu Ghraib mindset, dead in heart and mind, has not permeated the US Army.<BR/><BR/>How is it that good people like you are forced to take part in this evil? Why can't decent people like you ever get near positions of power in America? <BR/><BR/>Virtually everything that comes from your government or your media reeks of bullshit from miles away. It's good to see that some people at the sharp end of American power have retained their human dignity, their capacity for independent thought, and the balls to express it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1115393708060346222005-05-06T11:35:00.000-04:002005-05-06T11:35:00.000-04:00Your words are so sincere, my emotions are of symp...Your words are so sincere, my emotions are of sympathy for all who are caught in this war. I’m an Arab Muslim and u’d probably would think I’d hate Americans soldiers, but not really as all of you are just humans doing your orders yet I do hold the government accountable for these killings. Its not one nations war it surely effects the whole globe but sadly some more directly than others. I feel sorry for you to live with all this hope all of this stops some day soon. Wish you a safe return to your family & loved onesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1115389918640174472005-05-06T10:31:00.000-04:002005-05-06T10:31:00.000-04:00Interesting, this thing called Religion. It seems...Interesting, this thing called Religion. It seems to be a contest to show whose God is greatest, because while you are praying for God to take you safely through another day, in a far off land full of petroleum, the Iraqis are praying to their God to protect them from the Americans who love to level cities like Fallujah to save it, praying to their God so that the Americans don't kill another 100,000 of their innocent brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers. Religion!Patrick Barry Barrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06433384010532508362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1115353607035491492005-05-06T00:26:00.000-04:002005-05-06T00:26:00.000-04:00My son, your hurt and compassion move me to tears....My son, your hurt and compassion move me to tears. Thank you for loving that little boy and his family and the soldier that made the shot. I love you so much..keep talking. I go to bed tonight with love, prayers, and possibility for you. Love and kisses from your mom.xoxoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1115351646326229962005-05-05T23:54:00.000-04:002005-05-05T23:54:00.000-04:00Speechless.-TedSpeechless.<BR/><BR/>-TedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1115345501632367662005-05-05T22:11:00.000-04:002005-05-05T22:11:00.000-04:00I've wanted to become a pen pal with a US soldier....I've wanted to become a pen pal with a US soldier. I really want to support you guys over there.<BR/><BR/>Is there anything (small item) you need? I want to do my part to boost your morale.Valkyriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02482274041091524736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1115342864198558002005-05-05T21:27:00.000-04:002005-05-05T21:27:00.000-04:00Thanks for your insights.I'm a journalist in Austr...Thanks for your insights.<BR/>I'm a journalist in Australia, and we rarely read such honesty from US troops. Keep up your writing and keep safe.Antony Loewensteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13281306917181742047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1115330592090260512005-05-05T18:03:00.000-04:002005-05-05T18:03:00.000-04:00Dear Zachyour sister and I send our love. i apolo...Dear Zach<BR/>your sister and I send our love. i apologize for my lack of communication to you over the last few months. I have no excuse, i have always been poor at communicating with loved ones who are away. Anyways I have been reading your blog as often as I can and I am blown away with your ability to write. You paint a crystal clear picture of whatever your subject is and it never fails to move me, either to laughter or tears. I feel very lucky to have a brother like you. I know you are changing lives all around you and that there is a reason for you to be where you are, even though its the last place you want to be. <BR/>Ingrid wrote an email to our congressman in Oregon and we were extremely frustrated to find that the only way to send our message was to subscribe to his newsletter! It made me feel as if our letter won't even be read and they just want to circulate their newsletter. But oh well...At least we are trying to get our message heard. I have faith that more and more Americans feel the way that we do and that the tide is turning in favor of withdrawl. Ingrid and I love you and are praying for your safety.<BR/><BR/>Love (and kisses)<BR/>Dan the manAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1115328577457693212005-05-05T17:29:00.000-04:002005-05-05T17:29:00.000-04:00Sgt. Scott-Singley. May by the grace of God you, a...Sgt. Scott-Singley. May by the grace of God you, and others serving a second<BR/>tour beyond your discharge date due to Stop Loss, come home soon to your<BR/>families. From your lips to God's ear, may our prayers be heard. <BR/><BR/>Mother of a Stop Loss Soldier.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1115232119525768512005-05-04T14:41:00.000-04:002005-05-04T14:41:00.000-04:00I know this won't be a very comforting thought, bu...I know this won't be a very comforting thought, but I think if there is any meaning to this, it's that you were there, and you most likely saved the other Iraqis' lives by being there, to help communicate, to identify that they were not hostile, and to bare witness to what had happened.<BR/><BR/>Had you not been there, perhaps the other soldier who shot the boy may have continued firing on them out of fear or shock, or another soldier might have. Any number of outcomes that, I know I don't have to describe to you, could have gone down, but didn't, because you were there.<BR/><BR/>I know those Iraqis may be fighting against US Forces now, but that day, at that moment, <B>you probably saved their lives</B>. That fact isn't any less important or true because they now fight against you. You had you head together for everyone when the XXXX hit the fan, and that saved Iraqi and American lives. Hang in there man.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1115225197796013232005-05-04T12:46:00.000-04:002005-05-04T12:46:00.000-04:00Thanks for having the courage to share such a shat...Thanks for having the courage to share such a shattering experience. I wish I had something inspirational to say, something that would help. <BR/><BR/>My adopted father served two tours in Vietnam. I know it was a painful experience for him. He still has the nightmares. He brought me back from Saigon as his daughter, the face of an enemy and an ally he would see everyday of his life. In a foreign country, it's hard to tell who's a friend and who's an ally when there are no uniforms to go by. I'd like to think adopting me helped him to heal somehow; to find peace.<BR/><BR/>What I learned from him was that life happens. We're not in complete control all the time. If you're Christian or Muslim, it's God's will. If you're Buddhist, it's karma. If you're an atheist, shit happens. I think the important thing is what you make of it, what you learn, what you become. Most people don't want war, but it happens. It can make you a monster or a hero. <BR/><BR/>Peace does come, people do heal. My father is proof of that. By some standards, we should have become enemies again after my conversion to Islam, but we chose not to. <BR/><BR/>You stay safe and be careful.sumehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09188223853031390895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1115220797047178872005-05-04T11:33:00.000-04:002005-05-04T11:33:00.000-04:00:(hang in there...:(<BR/><BR/>hang in there...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10616339.post-1115215117710619312005-05-04T09:58:00.000-04:002005-05-04T09:58:00.000-04:00This is a moving and powerful story. I hope there ...This is a moving and powerful story. I hope there is a greater meaning to it all that I don't understand yet...and I hope you find a peace within yourself even when there is none without.<BR/><BR/>Some days nothing makes sense.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com