Weariness in Iraq

Last updated on: May 9, 2013 at 6:23 am by Faithful Democrats

Weariness in Iraq 2013-05-09T06:23:13-06:00 Faithful Democrats

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

A note from Iraq, Sgt. George E. Heath, 3/3 ACR

Hey old man you always ask me to describe what it is that I'm doing out here. Well I got an urge to write while I was on OP (observation post) yesterday and this is what I wrote describing what I was doing.

Ten hours into the mission and many more to come. The sun rose early
and the soldiers got to watch the color turn from grey covered black
into a silver dotted azure. The road continues to sit there undisturbed
throughout the night. They sit and watch as the native people start
going about their daily routines. Cars start moving up and down their
road and every one is gazed into wondering if there might be an enemy
sneaking by. Cows start wading through the palm groves just to their
right, mildly annoyed by the dogs that enjoy snipping at their legs,
but continuing to chew on the weeds and grass. Off in the distance a
loud explosion breaks the otherwise normal chatter of life, an
inclination of a soldiers' head is the only sign that it even happened.

One grabs the handmike close to his hand to report the
approximate distance and direction and then continues to look for
breaks in the scenery that he has memorized.

Tick Tick Tick

The weather was chill and a slight breeze could be felt sweeping
therough the land. Searching endlessly into the distance the two
soldiers watch for an unseen enemy. The native population continue
about their daily tasks with weary eyes on the soldiers. They know as
the soldiers do that a perceived wrong will bring an utter disruption
of the life they lead.

Telling stories and speaking of whatever comes to mind in hushed
voices the minutes crawl by. the mission is still far from over and the
soldiers continue to gaze into their surroundings searching for a
hidden foe. Then a change, something different from the usual civilian
traffic whips around the corner onto their road. The radio squawks and
a voice begins to relay information of an incoming convoy. The soldiers
now know the identity of the hmmwv's and loosen tensed muscles. Again
their gazes settle into their area of responsibility, still hours until
the mission will end.

yeah well ok not my best work and i couldnt get all that specific
of the area for security reasons but you get the general idea.. a whole
lot of sitting, a whole lot of watching.. yeah we do mission where we
drive up a certain stretch of road, raid a certain house, shoot at an
odd thing or two but a majority of my job involves sitting and
watching. hehehe hope u liked it.

In response,

This could be so many soldiers from so many nations in so many
strange and far away places. My son has captured the tension between
boredom and duty and between danger and seemling placid scenes. The
same emotive forces can be found in accounts from 'Nam or Korea.
Probably, it is the same watch and wait soldiers of Rome had to
endure. It seems basic training ought to prepare the recruit for hours
of monotomy as well as the time of terror. Well, if I think I will
salute the stars and stripes, even if I have to get out my own to do
so.

George W. Heath

Reader Blogs

Previous Post

October 6, 2006

notes from Iraq

Next Post

October 6, 2006 The True Cost of Invading Iran

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Us About Us Action Center Advertise Ask a Theologian Ask a Theologian Blogs Books Campaign Blog Candidate Spotlights Commentary Donate Facebook Featured Writers Fellows Fellows From the Pulpit General Information Hillary Clinton Interfaith Blog Latest Media Center Media Center Media Center MyBlog MyBlog News Newsflash Newsflashes Our Team Reader Blogs RSS Sermon of the Week Shop Social Networking Static Items Support Talking Points Test blogs The Basics Theology Uncategorized YouTube

Select a Month November 2020 October 2020 February 2020 August 2019 July 2018 July 2017 March 2017 February 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 January 2006 August 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What Christian tradition is associated with the seven sacraments?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Seventh-day Adventism Roman Catholicism Protestantism Quakerism