Here is the story from one of our readers. As you can see, he is a soldier currently in Iraq. Hear his story:
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my story……
The Story of D in Iraq for the 2nd time. Back in 1990 I spent 218 days in the deserts of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. I am in the Air Force but always stationed with the U.S Army. I volunteered to go to war in 1990. I am not really sure why I volunteered. I guess I was just caught up in the emotion of the times. Of the 24 people in my unit only 6 of us went to war. It was much different then the war we now find ourselves in today. In 1990 I was single and had no kids. I was free to do anything I wanted to do. Today I have way more responsibility. There are loved ones that depend of me for the food that they eat. There is a young African American Boy that needs his dad to mold him into a good man.
Once again I find myself in a combat situation. I am much older and at the end of my career. I will soon retire and move on to the next chapter of my life. My son is almost grown and needs me more now then ever. While here in Iraq I am a supervisor of younger men that are putting there lives on the line. Time and rank has allowed me to be in charge to a certain extent. That reduces the level of risk that I personally take on a daily basis. However I am now in a position to send my younger troops forward into harms way. That is not a responsibility that I take lightly. I care for them the same way I do for my son. I would hope that in the future if my son finds himself over here. His leaders will take the same care with his life.
Ok enough of the back story. Here are my views on this whole war thing. I am a progressive black man that has many conservative views. I am not naive enough to think that the world and our country is fair. I know that there are still many African Americans that have not reached there full potential. I however cannot blame “The Man†for this situation. I listen to XM Radio in my truck when I am back in the states. I listen to the normal conservative stations and personalities. ( Rush, Bill, and Shawn) I also listen to The Power a black liberal radio station that deals with black issues. This is the 1st time that I was able to hear the non-conservative side from the urban masses. The station is based in Washington D.C. I called in a few times as I was getting ready to deploy over here. Once the host asked me why was I going to Iraq? He also asked me why don’t I just go AWOL. (Away With Out Leave) He went on to say that this was not our war and no black man should be in the military. I took a deep breath and let him have my answer. First I told him I had joined the military 18 years ago at my own will. No one forced me to join. I joined to earn money for the last two years of college. I now have almost $18,000 ready for me to use to complete my education. (It’s not a loan; I don’t have to pay it back) I told him that it was my duty to go where my country and leaders send me. My personal views have nothing to with whether I go or not. The Air Force has held up its part of the deal with me. Given me so many opportunities to better myself and my way of life. Now once again it was my duty to live up to my end of the deal. I told him I could’nt look myself in the mirror if I were to run when duty called. He did not seem to understand that. Next I addressed the no black man should be in the military issue. I expressed to him how proud I was of the black men that served in the Vietnam War. I tip my hat to the men that fought for the Vietnamese people’s rights. While all along they did not have any rights back in America. Just as they served and made our great country respect them as men. I have the same responsibility to live up to their legacy. We as a people cannot be pro U.S.A when times are good. Then turn our backs on this great country when it gets too hot in the kitchen. That is why I am here today.
Finally I voted for President Bush 4 years ago. I am torn on how to vote this time. I believe that mistakes were made in the build up to this war. I hate the way that Gen. Colin Powell a good black Leader with “True Power†had to stand before the United Nations and loose some of his well earned credibility. I don’t fully understand why we are here and hope this will be over soon. But like I said before as a military member my personal views have no bearing on me being here. I am doing my job the best I can. Trying to get me and the troops under me home safely. There is a lot of pain and suffering in this country. Iraqis are a good and proud people for the most part. They have just been beaten down for almost 40 years. Now that freedom is in the air they are not used to breathing it. I look at it this way. Somewhere in the urban areas of the U.S. There is a neighbor hood of 95% hard working, God fearing people. They pay their taxes and want better for their kids. At the same time there is a 5% of that same neighborhood that is up to no good. They are the ones hanging out late at night. They sell drugs and bring the whole neighborhood down. The good people want them gone but are powerless to do anything about it. So this vicious cycle just keeps going on. I see the same thing happening here. The insurgents are like that bad 5%. They don’t care about anyone but themselves. They have no better plans for the future of Iraq then the U.S Government. They know that they have the good 95% scared as a result of their bombings, kidnapping, and murders. I don’t have any answers though. All I do is try to survive each day and make it home safe. I try to be a leader to all my troops, not just the 1 other African American in my unit. Maybe I will do my part to protect our nation and improve the status of African Americans, or more importantly be a good role model to my son.
You are truly being an awesome role model to not only your son, but for many people around the world.
Thank You!!
Check out his new blog.
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