Final Night On U.S. Soil

My bags are packed: Three seabags packed beyond their capacities with various pieces of protective clothing and equipment which I have been issued for theater. All-in-all, well over 200 lbs consisting of body armor, a gas mask, 9mm pistol, elbow and knee pads, advanced combat helmet, ballistic eyewear, etc. etc. All of which I will carry from place to place on my way to my final destination, a place entitled "Camp Victory" in the heart of Baghdad. With any luck these items will be returned to Uncle Sam in the exact same condition they were in upon receipt: brand new, and without a scratch on them. I pray that I am that fortunate.

I am a trained U.S. Marine, Navy Civil Engineer, and now, upon completing three weeks of Army combat training at Camp McCrady, SC, I am "Army Strong" (whatever that means). All jokes aside, I am proud to say that I am thoroughly impressed with the Army Drill Sergeants that work hard to prepare sailors for ground combat. This is inherently new territory to a vast majority of sailors and something they rarely, if ever, have to take part in.

I find myself in an open squad bay, which are the living quarters of approximately 40 other Navy personnel, on the eve of our departure to the Middle East. The overall feeling among the people here varies. Many are making their last minute phone calls home to their loved ones, some are drinking their last few beers (no alcohol is allowed in theater), some are immersed in a movie or book, and some are already fast asleep. I am not far behind.

Without emphasizing too much on the morbidity of the situation, there were many things left unsaid before I left, and this blog will allow me to express them in a way that is most comfortable for me. Many of the fears that I and my loved ones are feeling should have been discussed, but the topic was left alone for the sake of composure during the goodbyes. If I could say one thing to everyone is that I love you, and remember that I have God on my side. Rest assured that He will bring me home to you.

Try to understand that the work we are doing in Iraq, while controversial, is necessary and will be worth it in the end. The politics behind the conflict are messy, and every life lost is tragic. The removal of Saddam Hussein from power may or may not have been a personal vendetta on the part of the president, but it does not change the fact that the Iraqi people are now trying hard to establish a democratic government that will create a peaceful existence for themselves. It has not been easy for them, but they are trying. Establishing our own independence was not easy either, and we can never forget that. The culture we so enjoy and sometimes take for granted was not created overnight. There is much work to be done in Iraq, and it is imperative that we continue to assist the Iraqi people while they overcome their own differences.

Tomorrow I will awake and find myself en-route to one of the most dangerous places on Earth. This will be my first time into a combat zone, and the feeling is nothing short of surreal. I have said my goodbyes to family and friends, and I will talk to my wife one more time tonight before I lay down to rest. She is much braver than I in this endeavor as she carries our unborn child while I am away. And so I derive my courage and strength to go into this place by remembering the people I love at home. I have been blessed with a loving family and an upbringing that few in this world are lucky enough to experience, in a country where its people are free to choose their own destiny. I find my courage and strength by remembering that this is the reason I do what I do. I go to this place to fight so that they might never, ever have to.