|
|
Tourer
Posts: 550
Tacoma, WA | Hi folks. I had a long ride today, and LOTS of reflection along with it. I have been back from Iraq, where conditions are not good, to say the least, for exactly one year now. Maybe it is a form of Post Traumatic stress, or something, but I just went there. Couldn't help it. But I wanted to share maybe a glimpse of the contrast there is between here, and there, Camp Taji, Iraq. First, here is a shot of a particularly dusty day. It was shot at 8 PM, and the sun was still high in the sky, which was ...orange.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/metalguy/IMG_0458.jpg
Yes, orange. Here is a video of another day similar:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v240/metalguy/?action=view¤...
Today I was reminded of the freedoms I now enjoy, as well as the color, and spectacular scenery we enjoy here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v240/metalguy/?action=view¤...
And that of a year ago??
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v240/metalguy/?action=view¤...
The above was shot by myself after standing watch on the Iraqi-controlled Brigade Tactical Operations Center, or T.O.C. all night. I was in a building with an Iraqi officer, and an interpreter. Yay.
Today, I was treated to a ride with my 75 year old father, and my Sweetheart, in some of the most breathtaking scenery I have ever witnessed:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v240/metalguy/?action=view¤...
Folks, I guess I am asking that you enjoy the freedoms you have, and say a prayer for the guys still there, doing without. If you can, send one of them a box of goodies from home, it will mean a lot!
-------Metalguy  |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | Metalguy,
Great post. As a civilian the military does not ask for much. I married just 10 days before 9/11 in 2001 and soon heard that Lackland AFB was looking for families to provide Thanksgiving home cooked meals to basic trainees from the base. Operation Homecooking they call it.
Since then, every Thanksgiving that we are in town, I pick up a pair of trainees and treat them like members of the family. I provide them with unlimited access to cell phones to call family and friends, access to a TV, a good meal and provide them special requests within the rules of the program. Some of those requests include Skittles, they have not seen candy (or sugar) for six weeks and another was Dr. Pepper to drink. The best request was trying to find an open McDonalds on Thanksgiving Day to get to recruits some McDonalds French Fries. It took some doing but I found one that was open.
Yesterday at lunch my colleague, a retired Training Instructor at Lackland, discussed the transition he has made over the past decade as a civilian after working twenty years for Uncle Sam.
He described how he has mellowed since leaving the service. One of the things discussed are the "Two Wheeled" therapy sessions he receives almost every day on a forty mile round trip to work on his 2004 Fat Boy. Nothing can clear your mind of troubles like focusing on a ride. Even if it just on the way to work.
Thanks for your service and take care.
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 223
Valdosta, GA | It truly is a different world over there. In the past 6 years, I have been to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Krygystan, Kazikstan, Turkey, Germany, England, France, Greece, Canada, Iceland, Portugal, The Aczores, Mexico, U.A.E., Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Djibouti, Africa. I'll make my first trip into Iraq later this year. If you extend that out to the past 15 years, you can add Japan, Korea, and Panama to that list.
Of all of these countries, only Germany and England would be in the running against the US in places I'd choose to live (although I did enjoy Panama and Japan). The others, IMO, are uninhabitable for reasons such as weather conditions, environmental conditions, overcrowding, poverty, disease, and corruption.
If you have never been outside North America, I highly recommend a trip to some of the less touristy areas of the world to see how others live. It's a real eye-opener. Newscasts and documentaries don't show how really fucked up some of these countries are. After experiencing what the rest of this planet has to offer, I consider myself lucky to live where I do.
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 235
Evergreen, CO | Youngest son is currently on the downhill side of his third tour of Iraq. First was a 6 month tour, then a 12 month tour, and then, with only 5 months left in his enlistment, was "stop lossed" and sent back for a third, 16 month tour. He is currently supposed to be leaving the land of sand in October, so we are anxiously keeping our fingers crossed for him to have a very safe, remaining few months. Rumors abound about the possibility of getting out of there a bit sooner than scheduled, but until we actually hear that he has left Iraqi soil for the final time, we will not be able to breathe that sigh of relief. He is an MP over there, so while he may not be in the most dangerous of jobs, he is certainly not in the safest either.
Thanks Metalguy for sharing the pictures and video, and THANK YOU for your service. We have you and many other military folk to thank for our ability to enjoy what we enjoy, such as a ride on our Vision through "Paradise"! We will be riding our Vision to Mt Rainier and "Paradise" starting next Thursday, 7/31, so you have given us an advance glimpse of some of the great scenery that we can look forward to seeing. A personal thanks for that! |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 550
Tacoma, WA | space cwboy, I certainly wish your Son the best, and a speedy return! I would bet he is in the Army, yes? When I was at Al-Taji, it was basically run by the Army, at least the coalition side of the base was, and the Iraqi side, where I lived was controlled by the Iraqi forces. I was actually sent there to train Iraqis in the Iraqi Air Force how to be Aerospace machinists, and Certified Aircraft welders....kind of hard to do with no bildings, power, or equipment. So I became really good friends with the guys in the Army shop there, so I could use their facility ti fix our helicopters. (UH-1 Hueys, Mi-17's, and bell Jet Rangers) For most of them, this was at least their second, if not their third trip to the sand. For some, it is their second time at Camp Taji!
mike s: Thank you for your service. I agree with you fully that there is 'no place like home' , and that folks only need go to the off the beaten path places in other countries to see that.
Radioteacher: You are doing a great thing. Folks in basic have no real contact with the outside world for most of the time they are there, and I am sure it is welcome.
I do know I enjoyed little things I could share with the guys when they were sent to me while overseas.
To all: I am sorry this post isn't totally motorcycle-related, but to make it moreso, here is a pic of a motorcycle I found while there:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/metalguy/IMG_0320.jpg |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 1436
| metalguy, nope it's not PTSD it is simply a day with good company and reflection on just how much you have.
I did 18 before retiring due to medical conditions (70% DAV) and I lived in or travelled to some 102 different nations in that time (103 by todays breakdown, lol). Saw duty in every hot spot butt hole country from Iran in 1980 to Iraq/Bosnia in 96. I can say there is no place like home.
Since retirement I've worked and went back to school myself to become a teacher. Having seen, lived and participated in many countries issues what better topic then History.
It is the events of our life that shape us, educate us, and make us better for it (although it doesn't seem so at the time). We Vets give up much, but gain much more..... for it truly is an honor to have served this great nation.
Take the peace and tranquility life throws your direction and enjoy the moments.
100 or 1000 years from now folks will still be saying "things in Iraq are not so good." It is the nature of the region as it has been for the past 3500 years.
ps.... And to you and the other Vets..... Thank you for your service, but you knew that already. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 732
Western WA | Metalguy,
Thank you for your service, and thank you for sharing the pictures and videos with us. I'm glad you are home, safe and sound.
And thanks to everyone else that has served.
This morning, we said goodbye to our youngest daughter. She's off to the Navy. It was a bag of mixed emotions to say the least. 
On another note, we took the Vision up to Sunrise the other day. It was spectacular! If you get a chance, I highly recommend a trip up there before fall. The roads are okay, some frost-heave and terrible patching jobs but you can dodge them for the most part. Now, as for the tourists stopping in the middle of the road on blind corners to take pictures of the mountain....just be on your guard. |
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Thanks Metalguy. Though I was never on a major deployment, I spent twenty years in training for it, and ten was with the 82d Abn Div. No matter who you are, when you wear the uniform, it is family. You remind me that I don't do enough for those who still wear the uniform. I'm close to an Army base and frequent it quit often and see the youngin's that are protecting our nation. But then I'm also reminded they grow up quit fast and do the job required of them, and what a mountain of gratitude I owe. Thanks for making it back, and our prayers are continually going up whether you are here or there. I have friends who are on their third deployment and cannot get enough of doing the great things all are doing over there. |
|
| |
Me, and one year ago, today... (Iraq)
