JusticeSoldier.com

And Then, We Were Home…….

September 11th, 2007

Well, my deployment is now over, and I am home safe. I have been home almost a month now, and a lot has gone on. My return home like every soldier started with a long flight across the ocean, and into the arms of the Bangor greeters. And incredible organization of Veterans, patriots and people who just truly care about the path we have just concluded - it is really overwhelming to come through their welcome home line. Here are a few pics from their reception for us and a link to their website:

Troop Pictures

http://mainetroopgreeters.com

Then, after about a week of demobilization, the Army sent us home. For those of us going to my city, it was a rather weird trip. We were 4 hours due south from home, but instead of driving, we had to board a bus for a 3 hour bus ride to the Minneapolis Airport, to wait 5 hours to fly 45 minutes home - that is the army way! Ironically, I wouldn’t have had it any other way, kind of like the craziness you know versus the normality you don’t I guess. I mean, after 22 1/2 months, what could really phase us. Everything went smooth and before you knew it the six of us were about to walk off the plane- Anticipating some press we sent our young guys off first, they deserved it anyway. My legs were shaky as I started the walk off the plane- who knows what “from” or “of”, just been gone so damn long. I have no idea how many steps it took to walk down that hall, but it felt great…. It was incredible. Here is some footage of the homecoming:

**ADMIN NOTE** Pictures coming soon…

After greeting the 20 or so people that met me at the airport (I was overwhelmed) we grabbed our luggage and headed to leave. We were walking along a concrete wall with little kid pictures all along them. A picture of a little American flag drawn on one of those little pictures caught my eye. The picture had nothing to do with the war - but for some unknown reason it sent me back there. I was instantly transformed to a night in Iraq where I had to enter the morgue and identify a fellow Minnesotan who wasn’t going to be going home. That is when it hit me that his family would never feel what mine was at that very moment and he, at such a young age, was forever denied the incredible feelings I was feeling at that moment. It kind of overwhelmed me and I struggled to maintain my conversation with my family, to keep my suddenly heavy feet moving forward and hide the fact that I was starting to cry. I didn’t even know why, as I am not emotionally affected by anything I had to do in Iraq. But in that tunnel, at that moment, leaving the airport from the greatest homecoming I could have imagined I was overcome with the pain that his family must have felt - I imagined my own mother having to feel that pain and it almost brought me to vomit. My heart goes out to the families of soldiers who have died in this just endeavor, the real heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In my simplicity, I thought coming home was going to be some utopian party, and then I would just step back into my life like nothing ever happened - yeah right…. Coming home has been a lot of work, and a struggle I was not prepared for. Because of this, my site has been void of posts and I am not certainly not back “on track” in life yet. That said, I would like to get back on track and in doing so I would like to make this post on this anniversary of September 11th.

“The day we swore we would never forget, and then we did just that…”

The sun rose this morning on September 11th just as it did that faithful morning. This year, the world carries on about its business as if 9/11 never happened - the strong conviction to defeat evil of just a few years ago apparently no longer popular enough to matter. On this anniversary, General Petraeus (excellent leader) is testifying in front of our political leaders in regards to one of the battles in the global war on terror - Operation Iraqi Freedom. In response to this testimony on REAL assessment on Iraq, politicians are hitting the airways to downplay the positives or support them, not based upon their own assessment, but based upon party politics…..how sad. These politicians always have the same drum beat in such speeches: “I support the troops and the evidence shows progress, BUT………” when these alleged experts elevate their voice in that “but” it strikes to the heart of the soldier - no one likes empty rhetoric. Meanwhile, from a dark cave in the mountainous region between Afghanistan and Pakistan comes another message from the devil’s son, Usama Bin Laden. UBL emerges to offer his message just before the eve of 9/11 remembrance - reminding us that he and his cronies are bent on destroying us and our way of life. UBL is out to kill our children, even issuing a fatwah authorizing the killing of innocent American civilians; I believe it was Feb 1999. UBL and his Al Qaeda fellas have recently researched ways to attack our shopping malls, cruise ships and vital infrastructure here in America, all the while sending 80-150 of his jihadists across the border into Iraq monthly to fight us AND the Iraqi people. UBL’s message is clear on this 9/11 anniversary, but collectively as a nation we do not even care, wrapped in our fast-paced drive thru lives. On this anniversary of the mass murder of over 3,000 Americans….. The General is confident, as he should be. The politicians are spinning, as they always do. The enemy is emboldened, because of our ignorance. And me? I am sad on September 11th.

I am sad at the state of affairs today. I am sad that over 3,000 people died on 9/11 because our leadership at that time turned their back on a growing enemy that attacked us REPEATEDLY with massive attacks and bragged to us that they would attack us on our shores. I am sad that as the General who was asked to speak to our Congress on the state of Iraq is interrupted by IDIOT protestors. I am sad that we, as a nation, have turned our attention away from the evil conspiring to destroy us. I am sad that the American media has become such a unethical group of liars, willing to sell their souls to undermine the liberation of 27 million people from a heinous madman. That they sit in the international zone in Baghdad and show old footage rather than seek out the real stories about the real state of affairs in the streets of Iraq. I am sad that Britney Spears performance at the VMA’s got more media attention than the anniversary of 9/11 will, and that our society knows if Brad and Angelina are split up but doesn’t know who Ayman al-Zawahiri is or have any clue why they should know him. I am sad that we have lost our conviction in defeating evil, that we now attempt to rationalize horror, asking “why” when it doesn’t matter, albeit terrorists or serial killers. The epic campaign of good versus evil has transcended mankind, yet we find ourselves today incapable of doing our part in this fight - we want to surrender in Iraq, we let child molesters roam the streets and we support criminals who invade our country along our border and commit crimes against our citizens such as running drugs, violent crime, street gangs and the like to which we give them amnesty. I am sad that politics have turned so ugly, that we will turn our backs on our President because of opinion polls and how someone we PAY dues to tells us how to feel. I am sad that our society is ignorant - I spoke to a college Professor recently who told me he turns off the TV when the President comes on…. Such ignorance from someone charged with “un-biasedly” educating our youth. I am sad at our educators in general - sad that they teach with such bias, place their unions above their students, and are so unwilling to search for the answers that, as they always have, lie somewhere in the middle. Most of all, I am sad at my fellow Americans on this September 11th. I was asked for my “message” on this day, and will let this sadness be my message so let me tell you why:

I am sad at my fellow Americans in how they are handling the global war on terror. We have lost our collective backbone. We were blasted with a vicious attack. In the aftermath, we stood tall and said “go get them!” and our President did. Since then, we have endured the longest stretch without a terrorist attack since the first WTC attack. We have taken the fight to a crazed enemy and have them on the run. They are running in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, the Philippines and elsewhere. They are running from open offenses like the surge but moreover from clandestine “operators” lurking in the night ready to fight evil - yet we no longer support this. We have lost our way. The global war on terror is the most important thing that will happen in our lives because we are in this for the existence of our nation - yet we don’t care as long as it doesn’t affect our internet access or modern “amenities”. If we are out to buy a plasma television or lap top computer we will do tons of research to find out the right specs, features, gizmos and stuff we want, and we’ll do even more research to find out where we can buy it cheaper. We know what I-pod device we like and where we can get the songs we want at the fastest download speeds. If we are out to buy a car, we will invest all this time in to researching the right car and test drive several just to be sure. We have all this technology and how to use it. Yet, when the time comes to research what is going on in this war on terror, we do nothing. We don’t know the specifics of Iraq, but we won’t research ANYTHING to educate ourselves. We don’t understand the second and third order effects of what is happening now and what will happen next, yet we will make no effort to step up and find those answers. We tell the soldiers we support them but we are against what they are doing in our behalf most likely because we don’t understand the mission - yet we won’t dig to find the answers. (Soldiers hate that by the way) The answers are out there, but we won’t go find them. So, on this anniversary my message is sadness - sadness that our nation has lost its backbone and its way. That we listen to the conspiracy being carried out in our media instead of looking for the truth, which always lies in the middle. We lift no finger to research what is going on out there, yet we have all these STRONG OPINIONS about it - none of it based upon educated decisions because we are not doing the efforts to educate ourselves. Why? Why will we put some much time into this computer versus that, which cell phone we want next and how we are going to score an HDTV, yet we will not sit down and take a serious look into the biggest endeavor for the next few decades? It is sad to see, but it is the reality here on September 11th, 2007. Possibly the worst is the college students, who pay hundreds of dollars per credit to learn an education, but instead just listen to what there are told like little lemmings following the next guy off a cliff. We must, as individuals and a society, search for these answers and formulate educated decisions in defeating evil. We are up against the devil’s henchmen, and trust me in the fact that they are willing to do the research into how to attack your shopping mall or school. Only one of us can win - them or us? That is my message today - look inside yourself, ask yourself if you have educated yourself enough to even have an opinion, and then go out there and work just half as hard as you will at other endeavors to KNOW where Iraq is, who is fighting and why. Learn the enemy and their short and long term goals. Learn your own nation’s short and long term goals. Then stop for a moment and give silence for those lost on this day a short few years ago. When that moment has come, raise your head high, strengthen up your backbone and the person next to you and let’s find our way again and defeat evil now, so that our children will not be asked to carry on this endeavor in their time. We owe it to them, to the victims in 9/11, to the fallen heroes and to that beautiful flag that flies high and free above you right now.

Justicesoldier

Posted in Deployment | 23 Comments »

More Tragedy to our Brothers-In-Arms

July 9th, 2007

Independence Celebration is marred by more tragedy to our brother’s in arms

The summer’s biggest celebration has been overshadowed for me after hearing of two more tragedies involving our soldiers freshly returned from Iraq. As with the tragedy suffered by Cpt Carta, I knew both of these soldiers well, and I ask your prayers on their behalf. The news reports are included for your viewing.
One of my radio operators returned home early to go to some training and lost his house to an arsonist while he and his family slept on his third night home from Iraq. He awakened to his house engulfed in flames and had to rush his family out of the burning home to safety- he carried a sleepy two year old while his wife carried both of their 11-month old twins. This is an unspeakable act of cowardice- may the swift hand of justice find the guilty.

You can find the full story here

Even more tragic is the latest event that I am struggling to understand. One of my soldiers from my home unit was murdered in my hometown, ten days after returning from Iraq. F#$%&ing murdered. The news reports he was intoxicated, wandering and looking for a party when he approached some local dead beats having some beers- he wanted to join and offered to pay. The situation was weird, and tragically turned according to the news into mutliple men beating him, robbing him, knocking him out, waking him up, and beating him more. As he was being pummeled with at least one man on top of him during this third or fourth beating, he pulled his pistol to defend himself- it was wrestled from him, placed under his chin and his life taken from all of us. This too is an unspeakable act of cowardice- may the swift hand of justice choke the life out of the ghetto shit bag (and all is buddies) who carried out this horrid act and robbed a fellow soldier and his family of all his dreams. He survived 14 months in Iraq- to come home and get pummeled, robbed, and murdered. I a also sadened by the lack of community outcry in the overly liberal city to which I call home. If he would have been something other than a soldier in an unpopular war, the people would be all up in arms- he deserved better in life and in memoriam from a community he served so brillantly.

You can find the full story here

Please say your prayers, and those of anyone you can reach, for both these families in this time of need. Continue to say your prayers for Captain Carta and his family as well. Wemust all stand tall and defeat evil- both here in Iraq and in our own backyards.

I ask that none of my family and friends post anything positive about me coming home in response to this post- all of that pales in comparison to the loss the MN Guard has suffered right now. We all know I’m coming home- but don’t type that shit- offer words for the fallen, the hurting, and the suffering whose individual losses mean more at this time. As soldiers, we will continue to carry on even with the news of our loss- we will remember SSG Sheda in or own individual ways, and we will pray for the Carta and Major families. I ask for only your thoughts and prayers….from the far side of the world.

TROY

UPDATE: T.J. was part of the funeral detail for SSG Sheda. You can read his comments here

Posted in Honoring the Fallen, Deployment | 30 Comments »

Happiness Turns to Tragedy for one of the Red Bull’s Best

June 30th, 2007

Tragedy and fate have dealt a tough blow to one from our Brigade. I was privileged with the opportunity to get to know one of the best officers in the Red Bulls. I quickly grew to respect and admire Capt. Carta during my time on Anaconda. I was flattered when he told me on several occasions he “wanted to make me a Wildcat”. Having volunteered to work a few shifts in their TOC and playing softball on their team, I saw the love he held true for each of his men. Capt. Carta is a great officer and a great man. After arriving home from this long deployment, his wife and two children met him at the airport. On the way home, tragedy struck when strong cross winds drove their vehicle off the road, causing it to flip repeatedly, claiming the life of his 8 year old daughter. The news reports his wife is still hospitalized with her injuries. I am deeply saddened at his loss and pray for his family during this terrible time. It is such a shock to hear of such a terrible event on the way home from the airport- the happiest moment turns to the worst imaginable. A link to the story is here.

-TROY

cleared by OPSEC Officer for posting at 28JUN07 @ 1013HRS.

Posted in Deployment | 11 Comments »

Announcement Time and Random Photos from the Desert

June 12th, 2007

Greetings from the far side of the world! It is time for one of those official announcements- it is with great joy that I have to report that the Army has instructed us to tell our loved ones to cease all mail
headed this way. While we still do not have any idea of exact days for coming home (or I am just not telling my secrets), they still want us to cease all mail well in advance to ensure all those last packages are able to make their way across the many miles to reach us here before the day comes in which we depart this place for some place called America- I can’t remember such a place I have been away so long. So, it is with a great big smile that I must ask everyone to cease any mail headed this way - and boy that feels good to tell you all……………………….enjoy your summer as we count down the days - on the far side of the world !

Getting a chance to check out one of our coalition buddies toys.

Me with one of my favorite LT’s. You gotta love a guy who tells it like it is around here. When we get together - it’s trouble!!

Some awards have a heritage in which they must be “pinned” on properly

Did you think a little thing like a war would keep me from summer softball??

It isn’t home, but it is still a chance to play ball!

I love my “Papi”, but the night that he called me into the bathroom to help him clean up because the Iraqi food was kicking his butt (literally), well that might be closer than I need to get to another man- as you can see he was having a rough night- but he is still my favorite and I’d still charge up any hill with him…..of course I may want to be upwind- “tu eres el mejor”! He is one of the finest persons I have ever met in my life…especially for an alleged Canadian (inside joke).

Cleared by IO Officer for posting at 100304JUN07

Posted in Deployment | 13 Comments »

Another Memorial Day in Iraq

May 27th, 2007

It is with heavy heart that we usher in another Memorial Day here in the hot and dusty lands of Southern Iraq. As Americans at home and across the globe embark upon their travel plans for picnics and other family gatherings, 4 of our finest are still considered missing in action (MIA) here in Iraq. As celebrations kick off across the country this weekend, thousands of brave soldiers are aggressively searching for two of their brothers here in Iraq. The heart of every soldier here goes out to them and their families in this troubling time. We pray for their safe return, but if fate deals them a death card, then I hope they meet their death with the chance to take a terrorist or two with them. If they cannot, may they at least crush the scrotums of a few so they can spend the rest of their miserable terrorist lives knowing that their permanent impotence was at the hands of a proud American soldier.

Despite the horror of the recent kidnappings, there is a lot of good coming out of Iraq - too bad you all back home will never hear of it (blame your media). Al Qaeda is finding hard times lately, as the local populace grows increasingly tired of the bombings and has now begun to openly hunt Al Qaeda in multiple areas of Iraq. Iraqi’s are standing up in defiance of this extremism and beginning to kick Al Qaeda’s ass from town to town, literally putting them on the run. The news seems very reluctant to report on this progress, and those liberals running for office are certainly oblivious to any shred of truth going on in Iraq. As we remain cognizant of the big picture here, we place our real focus on our piece of the pie and count down the days until our time in this endeavor is done.

We too have borne a heavy burden in those we have lost, both those killed and those injured who were sent home due to the injuries they sustained in combat. Despite this, our leadership decided we didn’t need to have any ceremonies this weekend to honor our own fallen. Memorial Day will be forever changed for the families of the fallen and those who have suffered serious injuries in combat. The parades, the ceremonies, the sight of Old Glory waving proud and free - it will all mean something so much more powerful to them versus the average American. They have paid such a stiff price in preserving the liberties of freedom both for our nation, and an improving democracy in Iraq as well.

Despite the emotions and pain felt in remembrance of those who have fallen this Memorial Day, our efforts in both Iraq and Afghanistan carry on and continue to show marked improvement. We will continue to defeat evil in both of these campaigns, despite the spineless desire to surrender seen in the Democratic Party. Those who have given their souls for political votes (as well as their lemming little protesters) will not sway the efforts to succeed and win these vital campaigns in the broader spectrum of the global war on terrorism. This Memorial Day we see our efforts paying large dividends in defeating the terrorists of Al Qaeda, both in Iraq and Afghanistan. This has the senior leaders of Al Qaeda putting out an “scumbag APB” to get more of their lunatics into Iraq in an attempt to regain lost cities, where the free people of Iraq have kicked them to the curb and now hunt them daily. They now want to fight the Iraqi Forces, the local militias, the Americans and the people of Iraq at once, proof that Al Qaeda exists solely to kill, and does not care one bit about the thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians they are killing. Despite the heat, despite the dust - the brave soldiers here will carry on and continue to bring peace to the freed people of Iraq and Afghanistan. We will fight terrorists in the streets of Iraq rather than face them on our own streets (they currently want to blow up an American shopping mall). The flag will continue to fly, and America will continue to be free. Our children will live in peace, free from terrorist strikes, free to live in the innocence of youth. Every American flag you see this weekend - think of those who have fallen. Every picnic or event you attend - think of the families they left behind. Every good time you have this weekend - think of what is really at stake here if we fail in our valiant efforts today. Happy Memorial Day…….from the far side of the world.