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[from an internet blog--Ed.]
Time has posted a recent letter from a Marine in Iraq. Its a pretty blunt account of what everyday life is like for our soldiers in that hell hole. Frankly, as I read it I laughed, I cried and ran through a whole list of emotions. It contains what I would call tragic humor as well as a vivid description of the despair, hopelessness and pointlessness of it all. But it does give you a window into what the day to day life on the ground in Iraq is really like. I urge you all to read the letter yourself. For those who want a preview, some excerpts:
The letter is written mainly in the form of a list of his most memorable observations in Iraq. Here are a few of my favorites.
The Outrageous Iraq:
Biggest Outrage -- Practically anything said by talking heads on TV about the war in Iraq, not that I get to watch much TV. Their thoughts are consistently both grossly simplistic and politically slanted. Biggest Offender: Bill O'Reilly.
The Crazy Iraq:
Most Surreal Moment -- Watching Marines arrive at my detention facility and unload a truck load of flex-cuffed midgets. 26 to be exact. We had put the word out earlier in the day to the Marines in Fallujah that we were looking for Bad Guy X, who was described as a midget. Little did I know that Fallujah was home to a small community of midgets, who banded together for support since they were considered as social outcasts. The Marines were anxious to get back to the midget colony to bring in the rest of the midget suspects, but I called off the search, figuring Bad Guy X was long gone on his short legs after seeing his companions rounded up by the giant infidels.
The Tragic Iraq:
Worst E-Mail Message -- "The Walking Blood Bank is Activated. We need blood type A+ stat." I always head down to the surgical unit as soon as I get these messages, but I never give blood -- there's always about 80 Marines in line, night or day.
The Futile Iraq:
Coolest Insurgent Act -- Stealing almost $7 million from the main bank in Ramadi in broad daylight, then, upon exiting, waving to the Marines in the combat outpost right next to the bank, who had no clue of what was going on. The Marines waved back. Too cool.
The Sad Iraq:
Saddest Moment -- Having an infantry battalion commander hand me the dog tags of one of my Marines who had just been killed while on a mission with his unit. Hit by a 60mm mortar. He was a great Marine. I felt crushed for a long time afterward. His picture now hangs at the entrance to our section area. We'll carry it home with us when we leave in February.
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