Want To Know What Combat Is Like?

[MM-C5]

Last week, I sent a colleague of mine who is a former Marine Corps Captain a link to Comments From Iraq. Today, he sent the following to me.

Whether or not you have been following the Comments (http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81454) thread, these observations are indeed descriptive and moving.

It is a long read so it will be posted in two parts.
By Corporal Lawrence, C.

Well, I am still here in Iraq, and with regards to this war, I can say I have seen and done some amazing things.

I've seen both cowards and heroes both young and old. Been both confident and terrified, both at the same time.

I've grown to love and hate people with a fierce passion.

I've given food to the starving, and water to the th irsty.

I've seen the pain and uncertainty in a man, woman, and child's face right before they died.

I've seen the terror in a man's face when my weapon was pointed at his head.


I've looked a man in the eyes right before I put a sandbag over his head.

I've tasted the burn of OC/pepper spray as I sprayed a man in the face.

I've learned Arabic from a 12 year old girl who was my friend.

I've waved hello back at so many passing cars, I felt like I was famous


I've been on TV 4 times, then watched the media tell lies about us.

I've been in 3 papers, and was amazed at the inaccuracy of my story.

I've seen dozens of marriages fall apart on both ends.

I've seen Iraqis cry, they were so happy that we were her e.

I've had Iraqis swear me up and down because I had to search them.

I've heard the launch of mortar rounds as they left the tube.

I've seen those same mortar rounds blow up around me and my friends.

I had a friend show me pictures of his kids, and get killed the very next day.

I've heard the pop-pop-pop of gunfire, and then the ping-ping-ping as it hit around me.

I've seen people afraid to pull the trigger, and not kill... and I've seen people kill when they shouldn't have pulled the trigger.

I've seen men in the cross hairs of the scope mounted on my rifle and I've pulled the trigger so they will never ever be seen again.

I've laid countless hours on my cot trying to sleep but couldn't, because the helicopters were too loud , explosions were too close, there was too much gunfire.

I've taken prisoners, guarded prisoners, and released prisoners.

I've lost weight because my stomach couldn't handle the food here.

I've knocked on people's doors, kicked down people's doors, and almost shot off someone's door.

I've sat on a rooftop for 53 days straight looking for bad guys, and learned what patience really is.

I've lost all sense of privacy, but grew closer than a brother with my squad and platoon.

I've cleaned my weapon more than I have cleaned my clothes, because it was more important.

I've learned to appreciate all the things I once took for granted.

I've never worked so hard and got paid so little in my life, but even still worked harder .

I've watched videos of Nick Berg getting his head sawed off his body while he screamed, and never wanted to kill so bad in my life.

I remember when a young kid that called us "sadiq-i" (friend) brought us food each day at a checkpoint, and remember when a suicide bomber killed him and 18 other people days later.

I remember a crazy lady telling me lies to waste my time for no reason.

I remember a pretty girl secretly waving hello to me so nobody would see, fearing ridicule.

I remember the screams of people when a restaurant exploded with innocent people inside.

I'll never forget the smell of burning flesh for as long as I live...ever.

I've seen Iraqi people fight alongside us one minute, then fight against us the next.

I've captured dozens of weapons, some of which were gold plated.

I've been in a car accident that would've killed me if I wasn't riding in an armored hummer.

I've smiled and scowled, laughed and yelled at different crowds of people.

I've seen a 13 year old prostitute bring money home to her father to live.

I've smelled the crisp air of a new morning, and the soot and stench of cordite the next morning.

I've been so hot, that I stopped sweating and my body started to shut down.

I've been so tired and worn out, but still couldn't sleep for days at a time.

I've seen people accidentally shoot their weapons and almost kill people, and I've seen people intentionally shoot their weapons and kill people. End Part 1

[MM-C5]

Continued...

I've never counted or carried so much ammunition in my life, and I've been around the world more than once or twice with the military.

I've sat back and enjoyed an ice cold Coke, and other times I've called on the radio begging for a resupply of water and food because we were starving literally.

I've seen guys "baby" their weapons, and I've seen guys treat them like hell, fully knowing it was the only thing that might save their lives.

I've said "I hate here" a thousand times, and heard it said a million more times.

I've seen a platoon leader curl up in the fetal position out of terror during a firefight, and a private in that same platoon fight like a savage for his life.

I've seen a medic choke-up and not be able to do his job, and an infantryman next to him bandage up a wounded child.

I've had kids throw rocks at me because I didn't have any chocolate candy to give them.

I almost shot a 14 year old kid that pulled a gun on another kid, the toys look very real here.

I've seen kids play in a virtual minefield of explosives and ordinance like they were at Disneyland.

I've heard shots fired and hit the ground, ducked, jumped behind cover, and flat out ignored them I've seen "new guys" in units come here so scared they point their guns at everything they see.

I've been on missions so long, that I've come back to my FOB (base camp)
with a full beard.

I've sat up late at night waiting for a friend to come back from a patrol that got hit, like a parent waits for their child who's been out all night.

I've made best of friends wi th a 17 year old kid, and a 47 year old man, and talked to both like we were old high school buddies.

I've cleaned my friend's blood off of his equipment, and turned it in because he was killed in an explosion hours before.

I've seen enough different people's body parts, that I could put them all together and make a completely new body with them.

I've laughed and joked with Australian soldiers, had conversations with British soldiers, and drank chi (tea) with Arab soldiers.

I've seen how well our bulletproof vest work, and they do stop bullets.

I've read the bible and figured I am in, or near the 'Garden of Eden'; but it hardly looks like paradise to me.

I've seen fisherman fishing, kids swimming, boats and dead bodies floating in the Tigris River.
I've asked myself dozens of times "Why am I here", but I know the answer, and I know if asked...I'd come back again no question.

I've missed my family and still do, and I regret not spending as much time with them as I should've before I left.

I've figured out who my real friends are back home, because they have taken the time to write me a letter or an e-mail.

I felt sold out by my chain of command because I made a decision to shoot, and sat through an 'inquisition' for making a judgment call that I would again.

I've gone on my 2 weeks of R&R and enjoyed the downtime, however was anxious to get back to this strange place.

I've been to far too many memorial services of our fallen brothers, and choked up everytime, even if silently so nobody could tell I've seen a n enemy sniper cause so much pandemonium, that without a shot being fired the sniper was winning a psychological victory over us.

I've traded 'war stories' with my best friend who worked in the private sector up north through countless e-mails.

I've been disgusted by the double standard that I have seen day in and day out.

I've lost a friend to an enemy sniper's bullet and felt helpless.

I've been given a urinalyses test because people were doing drugs over here.


I've seen the Iraqi people respect the military, and I've seen them totally disregard our presence and "walk all over us".

I've searched a car we stopped in sector and found an Oklahoma license plate in the trunk with '04 tag stickers on it.

I've felt my stomach knot and my heart skip a beat when a vehicle speeding by, cut his wheel and came directly at me... I was going to be blown-up for sure I thought.

I've been terribly sick, but continued to work and patrol through it...
mission first.

I've gotten packages and letters from people I don't know, and a smile was brought to my face each time I've had my comfort zone tested and violated by these people time and time again.

I've had Iraqis throw fireworks at me on New Years, thinking it was funny that I couldn't tell it wasn't a gunshot.

I've come to the conclusion that some soldiers here will return home by the grace of God, and other soldiers will come home simply because the man to the left or right of him did their job.

I've seen lousy soldiers awarded medals for no reason a t all, and other soldiers who rightfully deserved recognition for gallantry under fire passed over with not even a pat on the back.

I've seen the clear difference between competence and arrogance in my leadership.

Corporal Lawrence, C.

I can only imagine!

[Mac]

I am speechless but very moved. Thank you for posting this.

-Mac

[Samauriwarrior]

Very accurate and very true. Change a few words and it is applicable to Desert Storm, all the stans in Europe, Viet Nam, WW ll, WW l, etc. and will be in Iran and China in the future (Maybe even Mexico). We are in a Twilight Zone world doomed to repeat the past because we do not learn from history. Doom, gloom and pain is our reward.

[XLR8]

Very moving post, Tom... by someone who can make you "walk a mile in his shoes and see through his eyes." Thanks for taking the time to post it.

:pat Jane Ann

[RedVetteMan]

Tom,

Thank you, and thank you Gringo, for reporting this. I am truly humbled.

Paul

[KOPBET]

Nice post Tom. :pat

[LT4man]

I have never read anything that captures a war like this.
Truly an amazing read.

[UB2 SLOW]

That is about as accurate as you can get. It brought back memories from my two trips over there.

[lightingrod]

Our young troops really amaze me. At the start of the war we had a lot of wounded coming through the Scott Air Force Base Hospital on their way to other military hospitals to meet their specific needs. In the MedEvac ward I let it be known that if any of the wounded wanted Chinese food to give me a call!

I tear-up now thinking about it! When I would bring the food in, off they would go in their wheelchairs for their wallets! When I told them it was on the house they would try to tip me. Some of these kids (yet brave young men) had been hit really hard, yet they were still so quick to think of the other person! I held it together when I was with them but sometimes I had to sit awhile before my eyes cleared enough to drive back to my restaurant!

I have been retired for 14 years now, I still miss it!

Al

[Striker 85]

Lightning....I was one of those guys that went through Scott.... Thanks

[c5corvtman]

What more can be said. That was great. I am taking bets on to see whether or not the mainstream media outlets will publish it. Any takers.......

[lightingrod]

Lightning....I was one of those guys that went through Scott.... Thanks

It was an honor to be there, if only in a small way for you and athe rest of the troops passing through! I hope your are well and going on with the rest of your life!

Al

[Samauriwarrior]

I came across this cartoon that pretty much expresses my opinion of the MSM. We never hear a word about the heroes who put their life on the line every day for our freedom. Oh, and by the way, a guy who makes 50 million dollars playing a GAME, does drugs, and can't put a coherent sentence together is NOT, I repeat NOT a hero to our children.

:pat
10443

[lightingrod]

I came across this cartoon that pretty much expresses my opinion of the MSM. We never hear a word about the heroes who put their life on the line every day for our freedom. Oh, and by the way, a guy who makes 50 million dollars playing a GAME, does drugs, and can't put a coherent sentence together is NOT, I repeat NOT a hero to our children.

:pat
10443

Thank you, I know HEROES!

I Care!

Al

[hoosierdaddy]

Tom,

This thread was an absolute acurate journey and an awesome story. . . . . . And took me back in time when I was on a very simular journey in another country that instead of sand there was the jungle and monsoon rains, leaches but none the less the real reason I think was we did it for each other, not necessarily the flag, country but the person next to you and survivial; even though I think most tried not to get to close, you couldn't help it. I could relate and hang to almost every word.

There was a lot heros we will never know about, but I was with some that never seeked reccognition, they just wanted to go home and live a normal life, whatever that is! But they will always be heros in my mind and God knows!

Just an awesome story that the world needs to know, but these things never get in the news. . . . . too bad!
Bill :pat

[MM-C5]

There was a lot heros we will never know about, but I was with some that never seeked reccognition, they just wanted to go home and live a normal life, whatever that is! But they will always be heros in my mind and God knows.Bill :pat

That other time Bill......you were ALL heros .....in my mind, then and now! Thank you for what you did and thank you for this post.

Btw, great avatar!

Tom :w

[hoosierdaddy]

That other time Bill......you were ALL heros .....in my mind, then and now! Thank you for what you did and thank you for this post.

Btw, great avatar!

Tom :w

Tom I was not and am not a hero; I was young (18 & 19 years old) scared to death, and originally dumber than a sack of claw hammers, but I got smarter pretty quick; and decided I wanted to go home with all the body parts that I took with me, now that I am older some of them don't work as well as they use to but they are OEM original. I am a survivor and wonder all the time why I did; but feel the reasons weren't up to me but the All Mighty. The heros did not come home other than in our thoughts; and their spirits are with us and make us what we are today. We live in the best country :pat in the world and no it's not perfect but still the BEST there is. We can thank all of the veterans in the past, present and more than likely future for keeping it that way. Freedom is not free, there is a hell of a price to pay but I for one think it's worth it, I have to for the ones that didn't make it back home in person. They are the real HEROS. I give thanks everyday for their un-selfish sacrifices and that of their families that do not get to celebrate their birthdays, Chistmas, 4th :pat of July or any of the other holidays with them in person. But rest assured they are in their thoughts and hearts and I will be for ever greatful! There is no greater sacrifice than a soldier lay down his life for his country, not sure that's all there is to it. I am proud of the US Flag, our country and the freedoms we enjoy, but there is a lot more to it than this; the only way I know how to explain it is, they are my brothers, but closer than that. . . . . MAY GOD BLESS AND PROTECT ALL WHO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY THEN AND NOW. I believe they have a special place waiting for them; they are not forgotten, they are the real heros as we know the definition.

Sorry I got on my soap box; but it is from the heart; now I better shut-up!

Bill :pat

[hoosierdaddy]

Tom I got to know who is that laying on the hood of your C-5, just got to know, PLEASE, PLEASE :L

[MM-C5]

Tom I got to know who is that laying on the hood of your C-5, just got to know, PLEASE, PLEASE :LThere is an old expression that says...."I'd tell you but then....."

The reality Bill is that I started a collection of Danica Patric avatars then I found a bunch of Corvette Babes ~ to say the least!

No (regretably) that is not MM-C5 she is resting on. :cry

Someday when I have enough head start, I'll tell you where I found her.

So now to the real response.

I know a lot of Viet Nam Vets and there is one member here who I hold in the upmost esteem. He received a purple heart as a young Marine Private on Okinawa.

To a man, none of you consider yourself heros.

Let me pause for a moment to put my own service into perspective. I was a NCO, Single Engine, Single Roter, Crew Chief in the USNG and USAR. The death of MLK, kept me out of SE Asia.

So back to my original comment: To a man, none of you consider yourself heros.

Bill, those men and women of earlier conflicts have a little different perspective, and hopefully those of the current conflict will as well. But to those who are a product of Viet Nam (the late '50s - ' 60s - '70s) from what I have read here at CAC, other publications, and from what I know, the perspective is different.

That said (and again from my own observations) knowing what you know now Vs what you did not know then, the vast majority of you would still serve agin as valiently or more so than you did before.

Take away what you like, but for me....that makes you a hero. :pat

Tom

[hoosierdaddy]

I would rather talk about the "BABE" on the hood. But I will say this about that; most of it was survival and watching the back of you conrad, your unit, then your country. After a while the training kicks in but it is never as you were taught or maybe thought; but I do think you drew stength from the basic training that you went through. Survivial and fear can move mountains! I would go today, but not real sure I would have the stamina to do what would be needed but I would give it my all that's for sure. I think some of us may have even been embarressed about being there, there was really not much of a home coming and you really had no one to talk to about it afterwards. The country and the military has gotten smarted and maybe because of those times back in the sixties.

By the way people like your Dad and my Mom were real heros. Somday I want to tell you a story about a time just before my Mothers passing.

Take care,
Bill

[phrogs]

I came across this cartoon that pretty much expresses my opinion of the MSM. We never hear a word about the heroes who put their life on the line every day for our freedom. Oh, and by the way, a guy who makes 50 million dollars playing a GAME, does drugs, and can't put a coherent sentence together is NOT, I repeat NOT a hero to our children.

:pat
10443


thats right the media only wants to report all the negitivity thats what sells papers and I dont know why its that way, We had one of our aircraft shot down in spetember of 04 just outside of fallujah, I only saw one very small three sentence blurb on the news and one picture the next day of me and about 10 others who went to the crash site to see if we could recover anything.


you know why there was no breaking news about this why there was no big ass hoppla about it????


anyone???


Because no on was killed they all walked away well 3 out of 4 walked one was carried but they all lived and all have recovered, the very fact that no one was killed the media didnt give a **** about it so instead of a big story on how great our pilots and aircrews were to get hit my a surface to air missile then to keep flying then put it down away from the bad guys and then get picked up by the dash 2 aircraft and make it back safe to base thats not a story the media cares about, they want to report about civilians being killed like our guys went in purposly just to kill them:eyerole

[hoosierdaddy]

Because no on was killed they all walked away well 3 out of 4 walked one was carried but they all lived and all have recovered, the very fact that no one was killed the media didnt give a **** about it so instead of a big story on how great our pilots and aircrews were to get hit my a surface to air missile then to keep flying then put it down away from the bad guys and then get picked up by the dash 2 aircraft and make it back safe to base thats not a story the media cares about, they want to report about civilians being killed like our guys went in purposly just to kill them .

You could write volumns about what the media doesn't report. The are also very quick to report the mistakes of war but not the sucess of what our troops are doing, war is hell and the US is held at differant standards than the towel heads, GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!! The American people are smarter than that, we know the difference esspecially the ones that have been there and see how things get twisted to make the front page.

Bill, USA

[asby69]

WOW!! This soldier has hit the nail on the head. I feel like he and I were in the same place over there just by his words. Although I know we weren't it is amazing how each of us live through the same things during combat. Utterly amazing......Hats off the Corp. Lawrence C.

[hoosierdaddy]

WOW!! This soldier has hit the nail on the head. I feel like he and I were in the same place over there just by his words. Although I know we weren't it is amazing how each of us live through the same things during combat. Utterly amazing......Hats off the Corp. Lawrence C.

Right-on brother! Amazing how familure or close to home all the stories are if you've been in the same situation, just geography is the differance. Unless yo've been there it's very, very hard to explain. I guess even if you have it's difficult. I can relate to all of this but the big differance is even if the citizens of the US does not agree with the politicians, they still stand behing the troops. this I am very greatful for, I am proud of America and the way we treat our military today, outstanding and they definently derserve it more than words can say.

Take care,
Bill :pat

[FFAST87]

What more can be said. That was great. I am taking bets on to see whether or not the mainstream media outlets will publish it. Any takers.......

:L yEAH...RIGHT!! Whats good about mainstream media oulets such as ALL of the network news stations , and RAGS ....I...I..mean newspapers like the New York Slimes , Boston Earlobe and the LA Crimes...is that when you are wondering whats really going on...just read their Opinion Page.... and whatever they say....the complete opposite is the real story!! It's not complicated at all!!!
I salute all the brave....and I mean BRAVE service men & women all over. They are doing Good things. I am not a soldier but do my part every month by donating $$'s, beef jerky and phone cards to the troops thru the USO. :w

[Gry Ghst]

:pat :pat :pat I give to the DAV and will continue to do so.My dad was a forward observer for Genaral Pattons army.He always said the real heros never came home!!He has passed on and I sure do miss him.I served from 1968 to 1972;never saw combat.I will always support our GIs!!:w

[hoosierdaddy]

GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE:pat MEN AND WOMEN OF THE MILITARY WHO PROTECT HER

Bill, USA :pat

[Bradleywrench13]

From a fellow Army guy HOOAH!!!!!!

[hoosierdaddy]

From a fellow Army guy HOOAH!!!!!!

Go Army; thanks for your service to our Country. We are behind you all the way. To those of us who has been there believe me we understand the sacrifices made by you and your family. The troops is what seperates us from other countries that put very little or no effort in preserving life and the freedoms we all take for granite. For all of this and much more we appreciate everything you do to stop world domination; let freedom ring, hang in there for we are doing the right thing, at least the troops are.

God Bless the Men and Woman of the Military for holding that line.

Bill :pat