Ramblings of a Jackhole

A buddy of mine shared this in coversation when talking about his first combat experience.

The first time I saw combat, it was intense, but fast. I mean the actual events were a blur in my mind. I vaguely remember what I did beyond taking cover behind a tree up on the small ridge before the command to fire was given, but I do remember my training and instincts kicking in. Plus the ringing in my ears was distinct. Maybe it was because we always wore ear protection when we did practice shoots, but my hearing was a bit messed up right afterwards.

The thing I REALLY remember though was seeing the aftermath of what happened. Dead, some burning, some dismembered (a 40mm grenade to a truck fuel tank goes BOOM!), and some just all torn to hell BODIES everywhere. 16 enemy total that first time ambushed by us since we were observing, and they suddenly were moving right towards us not know we were there, and we had to act first.

The scene afterwards is burned into my memory, and I will never forget it, and it is one of those events in my life that I reflect on when I start feeling “down”, or upset, as thinking about that reminds me of how much worse the world is in places elsewhere. I remember puking my guts out when I saw the carnage. Literally on my knees emptying my entire stomach because I just wasn’t prepared for what I saw, and it really shocked and horrified me right at first. Whomever said “war is hell” knew what they were talking about. I am proud to have served my country, but some of the stuff I was involved with while doing so, such as the combat experience, I’m not proud of. I’m not ashamed of it, but anyone that would be proud of taking the life of another human being isn’t right in the head if you ask me.

I think my buddy makes a great point. Glorification of killing is a bad idea. However, I will always hold in the highest regard those men and women of the military that fight, and kill when necessary, to protect our freedoms and way of life.

Dan Rather and Peter Jennings, along with a U.S. Marine assigned to protect them, were hiking through the Iraqi desert one day when they were captured by terrorists. They were tied up, led to a village, and brought before the Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al Qaeda leader in Iraq.

Zarqawi said, “I am familiar with your western custom of granting the condemned a last wish; so, before we kill and dismember you, do you have any last requests?”

Dan Rather said, “Well, I’m a Texan; so I’d like one last bowlful of hot spicy chili.” Zarqawi nodded to an underling who left and returned with the chili. Rather ate it all and said, “Now I can die content.”

Peter Jennings said, “I am Canadian, so I’d like to hear the song ‘O Canada’ one last time.” Zarqawi nodded to a terrorist who had studied the Western world and knew the music. He returned with some rag-tag musicians and played the anthem. Jennings sighed and declared he could now die peacefully.

Zarqawi turned and said, “And now, Mr. U.S. Marine, what is your final wish?”

“Kick me in the rear,” said the Marine.

“What?” asked Zarqawi. “Will you mock us in your last hour?”

“No, I’m not kidding. I want you to kick me in the rear,” insisted the Marine. So the leader shoved him into the open, and kicked him in the rear.

The Marine went sprawling, but rolled to his knees, pulled out a 9mm pistol hidden in his cammies, and shot Zarqawi dead.

In the resulting confusion, he leapt to his knapsack, pulled out his M4 carbine, and sprayed the remaining terrorists with gunfire. In a flash, they were either dead or fleeing for their lives.

As the Marine was untying Rather and Jennings, they asked him, “Why didn’t you just shoot them? Why did you ask them to kick you in the rear?”

“What,” replied the Marine, “and have you jackasses call me the aggressor?”

From Ralph Peters’ column, “Heroes Don’t Shout,” in today’s New York Post:

…[R]eal heroes don’t call themselves heroes. Honorable soldiers or sailors don’t brag. They let their deeds speak for themselves. Some of the most off-putting words any veteran can utter are “I’m a war hero.”

Real heroes (and I’ve been honored to know some) never portray their service in grandiose terms, telling TV cameras that they’re reporting for duty. Real heroes may be proud of the sacrifices they offered, but they don’t shout for attention.

This is so profoundly a part of the military code of behavior that it cannot be over-emphasized. The rule is that those who brag about being heroes usually aren’t heroes at all. Bragging is for drunks at the end of the bar, not for real vets. And certainly not for anyone who wishes to trade on his service to become our commander-in-chief.

Thanks to Michelle Malkin for bringing this out!

A Note from Iraq From A Solider in the Iowa Army National Guard

This is from a fireman who serves in the Iowa National Guard and who is packing to go back to Iraq after a two week leave. It’s amazing the differences he reports from that of the media which dwells on the conflict.

As I head off to Baghdad for the final weeks of my stay in Iraq, I wanted to say thanks to all of you who did not believe the media. They have done a very poor job of covering everything that has happened. I am sorry that I have not been able to visit all of you during my two week leave back home. And just so you can rest at night knowing something is happening in Iraq that is noteworthy, I thought I would pass this on to you. This is the list of things that has happened in Iraq recently: (Please share it with your friends and compare it to the version that your paper is producing).

• Over 4.5 million people have clean drinking water for the first time ever in Iraq.
• Over 400,000 kids have up to date immunizations.
• Over 1500 schools have been renovated and ridded of the weapons that were stored there so education can occur.
• The port of Uhm Qasar was renovated so grain can be off loaded from ships faster.
• School attendance is up 80% from levels before the war.
• The country had it’s first 2 billion barrel export of oil in August.
• The country now receives 2 times the electrical power it did before the war.
• 100% of the hospitals are open and fully staffed compared to 35% before the war.
• Elections are taking place in every major city and city councils are in place.
• Sewer and water lines are installed in every major city.
• Over 60,000 police are patrolling the streets.
• Over 100,000 Iraqi civil defense police are securing the country.
• Over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers are patrolling the streets side by side with US soldiers.
• Over 400,000 people have telephones for the first time ever.
• Students are taught field sanitation and hand washing techniques to prevent the spread of germs.
• An interim constitution has been signed.
• Girls are allowed to attend school for the first time ever in Iraq.
• Text books that don’t mention Saddam are in the schools for the first time in 30 years.

Don’t believe for one second that these people do not want us there. I have met many many people from Iraq that want us there and in a bad way. They say they will never see the freedoms we talk about but they hope their children will. We are doing a good job in Iraq and I challenge anyone, anywhere to dispute me on these facts. So If you happen to run into John Kerry, be sure to give him my email address and send him to Denison, Iowa. This soldier will set him straight. If you are like me and very disgusted with how this period of rebuilding has been portrayed, email this to a friend and let them know there are good things happening.

Ray Reynolds, SFC

Iowa Army National Guard
234th Signal Battalion

May God continue to Bless Ray, his brothern in arms as the United States of America.

Lt. Col. Alan B. West, is stationed in Tikrit, Iraq. He and his men face nearly daily attacks as the do their best to achieve security near Tikrit, a stronghold of Saddam Hussein supporters. However, last August, an informant told West’s soldiers that there was an assassination plot against West. The informant finger an Iraqi policeman as a collaborator. So, the solidier brought in the policeman for questioning. Two trained interrogators were brought in and questioned the police office for hours. However they were unable to garner any information from him.

But don’t fear, Col. West took control of the situation. West reportedly came into the room, and said to the Iraqi police officer, “If you don’t give us this information, I’m going to kill you.” The policeman, clearly nonplused, responded to West with a smile and said, “I love you.”

West then took the Iraqi outside and, with the help of fellow soliders, forced his head down. And providing protection to the Iraqi, please one hand on the man’s head, and the other holding the pistol, Col. West fired into a weapons-clearing barrel filled with sand.

This scare tactic quickly got the information flowing. The detained police officer provided the names of two accomplices and also told of another sniper attack planned for the following day. Col. West’s actions clearly saved the lives of our men and women stationed in the Takrit area.

So, one would expect West, a veteran of two wars and a minority that has excelled at his post, to be promoted and given medals. Bzzzz. Col. West was relieved of his battalion command, effectively ending his military career. Then a military prosecutor offered him an ultimatum: Resign immediately and forfeit retirement benefits, or face criminal proceedings that could lead to a trial and prison term.

Of course if West were to have quit the military before last Saturday, when he became eligible to retire, Col. West would have lost more than $1 million in pay and health benefits over his life expectancy. His wife is a cancer survivor, making the cost of obtaining medical insurance prohibitive.

It is important to note that not only does Col. West have the cajones and smarts to save the lives of soliders by getting information, he is clearly a man of honor. Col. West, on the same day of the incident, self-reported the full incident to his superior.

So where does this leave us?

First, it appears that some “touchy-feely” types are forcing their views into interrogation for life and death matters. It is important to note that these a imminent threats. Information needs to be gathered quickly for delay will likely lead to deaths.

For example, back in July, Col. David Hogg, of in the 4th Infantry used unorthodox methods to persuade an Iraqi general to turn himself in. According to the Washington Post, Hogg ordered the Iraqi officer’s family be rounded up and held. Hogg then sent a message to the general; “If you want to see his family again, comply.” In a short time, the Iraqi general appeared in front of the U.S. base and surrendered. Fortunately, in this case, the touchy-feely types were not there to punish Hogg and reports are that Hogg has been promoted.

Second, you can contact you Congress members in the House of Representatives and the Senate or the Army. You can also call the White House to express your support for Lt. Col. West at 202-456-1111.

My new hero, Col. West can be contacted by e-mail and his wife has her own e-mail address. Mrs. Angela West is in the process of setting up a legal fund for her husband, please contact her if you would like to donate to this fund.

Third, us attorneys need all the help we can get. If you have information that you believe could be of assistance to Col. West’s defense, send an email to West’s attorney, Puckett. Puckets says he welcomes communication with any experts in military law who might have ideas or information to pass on to him.

Finally, Col. West will have his hearing on November 10th. Please take your time and pray for this man so that he might be protected for those not only trying to end his career, but his ability to provide for his sick wife and his family. Please also pray for this country so that we will not be a country that punishes our non-PC heros.

May God Bless West and may God Bless America.

Amen.