The sum of my existence is not Iraq. It was simply one of the most influential experiences I have had. I must do better about being a good father and husband and I hope and pray that I’ll do well speaking this weekend at Randolph-Macon College in VA.
Life can not remain always in the past however when one becomes a soldier, a warrior, then perhaps that is all they know. Taking life and seeing death changes you; no longer do you fit in with civilian society. Police officers who shoot someone are placed on leave while soldiers on the other hand are commended and encouraged to become better at it. That change is why I think we feel so out of place when we get home. On some level we remain in that place of war trapped by our memories and their stubborn refusal to accept that we are once again in a safe place. That we are once again home.
14 comments:
Our society and military are believed to be the strongest, greatest, and cutting edge. Yet the American Indian, and many other ancient cultures knew how to treat a warrior returning from battle and war fronts. Allow them separate time to process, tell their stories to people who can listen with non-judgmental compassion, purge the as much guilt and rage as possible, and restore and replenish the wounded soul before the warrior was reintegrated into the civilian world. We owe all of you at least that much. Thanks for your service.
Cathy B
I have heard you speak before... so honestly and bluntly that it hurt. I have read your thoughts and words as they have been published in many places... and i always pray for you, your family, and all soldiers and young warriors. If I lived in Virginia I would gather my friends and family and insist we all go listen and support you! You are my hero. Keep writing and talking and never stop. Even when you think you have said it all keep writing and talking...it matters to us all. Take care of yourself in every way and you take care of your wife and family.
Oh please keep writing! Reading your blogs makes me feel that there is hope, that when my husband returns from Iraq, that he may be ok, able to cope, as you seem to be doing. He is 3rd ID too.
I can't imagine how hard it is doing what you guys do, You are Heroes! I would love to be able to wrap my mind around it, help my husband assimilate back, but I am lost. Your blogs help me to possibly understand in some small way what is and will be going through his mind.
THANK YOU!!!!
Dear Sgt. Zachary Scott-Singley,
I was sent to your blog through an assignment for my high school homework and I found that your blog went into some very personal, mental experiences from war. The "How to Prepare for a Deployment to Iraq/Afghanistan" from a friend made me chuckle a some parts and put me into a reality of what war is like in a home environment. Thank you for sharing part of your hard, difficult part of your life online for others to see.
Dear Sgt. Zachary Scott-Singley
Like Morgan, I was sent to read your blog by my english teacher. What you wrote seems amazing to me, and I hope you are having success re-adjusting to your civilian life. The "How to prepare for Deployment to Iraq" part was both humorous and effective at showing what life is like living in a war, and allowed me to somewhat relate to it in small instances, although ovsiouly I have no idea what it feels like to be in a war. Thank you.
Dear Sqt. Zachary Scott-Singley,
Your blog was one link my english teacher, like Morgan and Dominic, that was given to us to read thoroughly, along with other blog links on Iraq. I enjoyed yours the most because of the way you wrote your blogs, including pictures of your life at home. This gave me more understanding. I am sorry of what you have to go through regularly but I hope that eventually you can be carefree. "How to prepare for Deployment to Iraq" had humor and gave me a good idea of war conditions. Thank you.
SGT. Zachary Scott-Singley,
I am also responding to your blog as I was sent here as a result of a homework assignment. I found your blog much more in-depth and descriptive compared to the others. The first few lines "It was simply one of the most influential experiences I have had" captured my attention instantly. It allows me to better understand what the soldiers in Iraq are going through on a more personal note. The pictures and list of things to do pre-departure for war were enjoyable to read/look at. Thank you for your efforts and touching blog.
Dear SGT. Zachary Scott-Singley,
Just as the comments above, I was sent to this link as a homework assignment, and am glad to have read about your expierences. In the "Stream of Conscious," I like how you compare memories of Iraq to the future, and how you don't want to be trapped by your memories, only changed by them. I think you will do very well speaking to any colleges or high schools you visit and i wish you the best of luck with life now that you are out of Iraq. Thank you.
-Robbie Watson
Dear Sqt. Zachary Scott-Singley, I am glad to have read this blog because you are an incredible writer. I did not realize that soldiers felt that way when they came home. I won’t pretend to know what you have gone through or somehow relate to you. I don’t know what death looks like or how it affects you. I want you to know that however you feel, I appreciate what soldiers like yourself have done. My prayers are with the soldiers in Iraq and their families. This country is free and safe because of the sacrifices you guys make. Thank you.
Hey Zach,
I have just come across your blog, and read a few posts. It's very impressive, everything you've had to go through, everything you've seen and heard, I wonder how you deal with this, you're truly, truly, heroes. I've added your blog to my list of fav blogs, so my friends can read about your bravery.
ALways be safe
Yes,
The situation here in Kenya is pathetic. But then, it's a sort of deep-rooted ethnic dislike that finally has had a chance to come to the fore. In Mombasa, we're faring a lot better than the people up-country, who have curfews set on them. Hopefully, the worse will come to pass soon, with mediation and dalogue!
But as you see, the root cause of it all is corruption, and there seems to be no end to that, unfortunately.
Zach,
Wow! You are beyond doubt an extraordinary writer. I've read a couple of your posts, and I couldn't keep my eyes off the computer screen. A lot of them made my eyes water just reading about the horrid situations in Iraq. I'm very sorry to hear about what you had to experience over there, and I commend you for your bravery. Please keep writing, your blog is truly inspiring!
-Melissa
You've been tagged by Cat at "Green Eggs and Ham" to participate in a “simple” meme with “simple” rules. They are:
Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. No cheating!!
Find the first 5 sentences
Post the next 3 sentences
Tag 5 people
Post a comment on the page of the person who tagged you to let them know.
-cat
Being a Viet Nam vet...I know the pain. I was a door gunner in Nam with the marines. Many med-evacs, inserts/excerts...etc. Shot down twice, friends died in my arms...
I'm with you.
XtnYoda Shalomed
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