Sometimes I write and try to make a masterpiece on my first try. Other times it comes to me in time. Today I will just begin and see where my mind takes me. I can't say that I have ever made a masterpiece however, but there is always a first time. My life has been made up of so much having to do with the military these last 5 (almost 6) years. I grow weary thinking about it. For instance there is the story of the mortar.
While I worked night shift my friend who served in the navy worked days. He was going out to watch the night sky one night a few months back when a mortar hit at what used to be his feet and legs. Someone who had been a paramedic before joining the army was able to get there where he was within minutes and he put 2 tourniquets on him, one on each leg above the knee. That was what stopped him from bleeding to death in the crater that the mortar made. He flew out of Iraq that same day and currently is learning how to walk with his new legs. He was but a few years older than me.
I don't know why I chose this story to write about but my thoughts often turn to my friends who weren't as fortunate as me. Mayhap I have forgotten the face of my father but I think not. Things go slower here on the peaceful side but don't ever let that fool you, for like a river through a valley the politicians are constantly wearing away our rights through the patriot act and other such things. Just look at how they deny death benefits for those soldiers who had to purchase their own body armor due to shortages.
It amazes me each day that our friend Dick C. has gotten away with so much and that we continue to allow him to get away with so much more. Wars line his pockets well and take it from me when I say that you can almost see he has found Midas' touch for here he has his war that makes him his gold and who needs anything more when you own people not just things. I speak not from first hand knowledge but from what I have seen and what I believe.
Some may think this is a place where you find no biases but to those I say you are fools. What, my friends, is more biased than my own eyes and opinions? I can think of nothing. So to that I say take this cup and drink from it but know that which you drink is but my knowledge and opinion and nothing more. To those of you who respect it and drink deep I say thank you and to those who but taste and spit out that which touches your tongue I also say thanks. You are kind to have come at all to see what this soldier has to say.
19 comments:
I sometimes feel very discouraged by what is happening in the United States. I grew up in a hopeful time:the 1950s. There was far more activism than you may read about in history books or commentaries. (I hope you've been able to see "Good Night and Good Luck".) Now, there is a frightening level of corruptiion and viciousness in our national government. However, we still have our rights as citizens: our right to speak, to gather together and to vote. We have power if we will just use it. If people become active with other prople in issues they care about they usually come to understand they are more empowered than they knew. You might want to become involved in politics and eventually running for office. I know you would make an important contribution in that way.
Keep writing Zach; we need more soldiers like you.
Peace
I am amazed every day, and will be for the rest of my life, that I lived through my year in Iraq. I had so many close calls and my ass was puckered tight most the time. I managed to escape 294 combat missions, 180 of which were without the use of military vehicles, without a scratch on me. What a fucking trip bro. The rest of my life is all extra credits from here on out. I hope that my friends that didn't make it will be of my future. I live it for the whole of us.
the heretic
When you get back, you need to publically tell these stories, Zach. People here need to know and you need to tell. We have to break this cognitive dissonance that overwhelms this country right now. We all need to drink from your cup and not spit it out.
-roamer in Mich
Thank you Zach. Telling your truth is powerful, and we depend upon people like you to do so.
My dad was a pilot (air force). He didn't like to talk much about what he'd been involved in, but I know he was haunted by remembering friends who didn't make it home again.
Yes Zach it amazes me to that so amny get away with so much. Read Gen'l Smedley Butler's WAR IS A RACKET and then read Eisenhower's farewell address - "beware the Military-Industrial Complex". They both knew yet no one ever learns. The lack of body armor, to this day, is reason enough to march on Washington with weapons! ChrisH
AAwww Zach. So glad to hear from you. Oh and heretic, you too!! I think I pissed off a friend of a friend. We argued vehemently before the Iraq war. He was in the service at some point a while back. Maybe the gulf war, I'm not sure. Anyway we argued horribly about whether it was right to go to Iraq. I just sent him a video about ending the Iraq war. A returning soldier is in it. I just heard from the guy I argued with and maybe I shouldn't have sent it. He sounds a little pissed. I guess he hasn't changed his views. He seems to think that I am not considering soldiers heroes. And that it was a good thing nobody listened to the people before or what would have happened with Hilter. He says the majority of soldiers in Iraq want to stay there! Anyhow I wrote him back and maybe I wasn't to nice. If you haven't seen the video, go to
http://afsc.org/iraq/cray-video.htm. I feel it is nicely done. Let me know what you think. Keep writing Zach. I'm still checking you and Heretic all the time.
Margie from New York
Do not worry about what is a masterpiece. Just write, the stories will come out. You do not owe the readers any more than you have already given.
Thank you for your service. May you and your brothers in arms live long and free, since you have paid for it many times over.
When times are hard, try to understand, not one of your friends would want to see you sad because you survived. Just as bad as you wanted them to live, they wanted the same for you. The proper way to honor them, is to live a long decent, happy life.
Zack, keep writing!! your stories are truths and no one can take or tarnish your truth.......This country needs more people like you to put a light to what is happening out there.
Zach, You still look at the glass from one side. There is corruption and bad in all things, but there is also good. As for the vests that soldiers bought, the army has already put out the order to put in a claim form for reinbursment for any expsenses for protective gear. Good and Bad in everything. Look for both. It makes life more enjoyable. As for Dick C. That's why we have the right to vote. Glad to know you made it home safe.
Dear Zach,
I'm so sorry about your friend, but grateful that experienced help was at hand and his life was save. You will think more of these things now when the need to stay focused on the mission has been put aside but guard against over thinking things.
I am glad someone mentioned about the ability to submit claims to be riembursed for the personally acquired body armour. News reports said only about 15% of those that could, have actually applied to get their reimbursement. Getting the word out is a must.
I hate to differ with you about the Patriot Act. It applies things used in the war on drugs to the war on terror yet no one has found fault with the drug war provisions. We must use prudent safeguards or we risk far worse than 9/11. Some of the milbloggers have a Sept 11th "Never forget" memorial and I often watch it and it puts a focus on my thinking.
I enjoy reading what you write Zach. Get rest and relaxation in large amounts. God bless you and your family and all our returning soldiers and their families as you and they get back into state side norms again.
P.S. Loved the pic of you and your wife and the ones of your kids!
Zach,
Your writings are strong, as are you. Please know that so many of us aere doing what we can to rid our country of those is power who run roughshod over our rights, and who care more about the money in their pocket than the people in our great country. I'm only sorry that our opposition is not strong enough. We owe it to you to be louder, stronger, and more adamant.
I 'd like to remind anonymous above that "never forget 9/11" has nothing to do with the war in Iraq. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. So you can use that to maintain your focus, but I'm baffled as to what you're focusing on. Perhaps you need new binoculars.
Our "leaders" are creating a much worse threat than 9/11 by remaining in Iraq amidst corruption, fraud, and billions of dollars missing. New terrorists are created every day because we are there, and the longer we don't DEMAND change, the worse the world will be for our children.
Zach, please keep sharing with us, expressing yourself, and staying true to your beliefs. We need more soldiers like you who see the truth, rather than following the propaganda.
I stopped by this blog only a short time ago and my intention was to support a soldier in harm's way on my behalf. I have apparantly strayed into the wrong forest.
I am glad you are home safely Zach. My purpose is fulfilled.
the only voice in this comments sections with anything sensible to say came from hurria. peace to you and your family hurria.
rock on murKins. baaah. baaah.
It's certainly a sad thing that is happening in Iraq. Many soldiers are definitely not keen to invade and protect a foreign land from terrorist forces when security back at home should be more of a priority. Reading your blog, it pains me to know how soldiers like you are coping out there in the hot, hot desert. You soldiers deserve more than what your government is currently promsing you.
Blah blah blah....War in Iraq was for oil(wouldn't it have been easier to just take over Venezuela, Mexico, and Canada? They produce just as much oil)...blah blah blah..war in Iraq was started by Cheney to make himself rich(show me how he's directly made any money? He divested himself of all stock upon taking office....but he used it to make his FRIENDS rich....right, where's your proof? Do you have any besides your paranoid fantasies? And aren't there easier, less subtle ways to make yourself rich? But then again, that wouldn't fit into your paranoid world)
There's not enough ways to say thank you for serving our country. I'm glad your home safe. Take time to relax and enjoy your family.
I am a guy from the UK who happened to pass by this listing by accident and got pulled in.
Glad you made it home mate.
Awesome coming across your blog. Definately bookmarked from now on! Funny how someone who accuses you of being paranoid and spouts childish "blah blah blah"s cant even be arsed to put a name to such a pitiful rant! Pshhh, dont listen to that guy, he's probably paid by DC! ;o)
Keep on writing, dude...you are doing the rest of us a service in your words.
Lis
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