Much of the imagery is from a fire fight that turned into a pitched battle in an erea called Sofia, just east of Ramadi. We were ambushed in what had been a ritzy neigborhood for politically connected Sunni's when Saddam was in power. We were re enforced by a rapid deployment force and other squad that was near by.The fighting raged for a good two hours before two Cobra Helicopter gunships were called in and chewed Hajji to pieces. The reference to "Breaking into houses was us looking for insurgents. Hajji typically bailed in the middle of the fight to another erea, changed his cloths and just blended into the crowd but with two cobras menacing the sky he was trapped where ever he was hiding so he was easy pickings that day. One house we went into there was a kid, 16-17 years old cradling a dead Hajji in his arms that had taken several rounds. There wasn't to much blood which meant he bleed out before they got there. The kid was sobbing hysterically and crying out. We had to arrest him but he didn't want to let go of the dead one. It turned out to be his brother. War is fuck brutal man.
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I love the words you have used to describe this and your comparison of "dark knight and avenger" - people like you are the true heroes - thanks for sharing
Thank you for your service and for your write. I cannot even imagine the horror that is war, and it is because of people like you. This is disturbing to read, but amazing.
HEY U.S. CITIZENS ON MY FEED! PLEASE - GET OVER HERE AND READ THIS!
God. Thank you for this. After Viet Nam, the press and gvt. deem it prudent to shield the public from this type of honest brutal truth. (A whole bunch of other crap behind that statement, but that is not appropriate here). It is amazing the difference between what is real (you just wrote it), and what we are given to look at.
Without seeing the horror that is war, how else can we fully honor those who fought it on our behalf? War is NOT the Geneva Convention. It is that up there.
So - thank you. For the poem. But more importantly... MUCH more importantly, for your service to your country. For us. The truth up there - paints a picture of men who are heros, every one. You. Thank you proudly. Thank you.
Posted 12 Years Ago
12 Years Ago
The media catastrophe for vietnam was the Tet offensive in 68. Tet was a military disaster for the V.. read moreThe media catastrophe for vietnam was the Tet offensive in 68. Tet was a military disaster for the VC but a media disaster for LBJ. Civilians can't be exposed to violence like that without a clear objective. Before the reporting on tet antiwar protests were fringe political activists. After Tet it was half the country. Tet was a HUGE learning experience for the military. WIth the occupation of Iraq America got Hollywood and Video games. Air strikes, smart bombs, laughing Iraqis tearing down Saddam's statue, happy American troops handing candy to kids. THey edited a lot. On the other side was Aljezzera. Heavy focus on the human face of collateral damage while ignoring Sunni and Shia rivalries. All sides got the half truths of spin.
yes, war is indeed brutal.
is it possible to live and thrive in a world where war doesn't exist? where hearts can safely unclench.. relax into love. yes, it is possible. even for the douchebags. let's make it happen! how? forgiveness, acceptance, truth, love. the basics. absolutely within the realm of collective possibility.
Posted 12 Years Ago
12 Years Ago
"Love peace and Harmony. Love peace and Harmony. It's all very nice, very nine, very nice. Maybe in .. read more"Love peace and Harmony. Love peace and Harmony. It's all very nice, very nine, very nice. Maybe in the next world." Morrissey. Sad but true. Pretty cool review. Thanx Sienikeha
12 Years Ago
:)
12 Years Ago
Thats some scary hardcore s**t right there. My little brother is in the army. And every day I thank .. read moreThats some scary hardcore s**t right there. My little brother is in the army. And every day I thank my lucky stars that he's done his service and he's had these sense to get out, before he has to deal with anything as full on as that. I support the rights and the wellbeing of the troops but I do not support the political or economic reasoning behind war. To me its a sign of great human failure.
12 Years Ago
I left the corps in 09. A dicision I regret on a near daily basis but I can't go back, it's not in m.. read moreI left the corps in 09. A dicision I regret on a near daily basis but I can't go back, it's not in me anymore. There's something tragic about that I can't explain. Like the last line says "It's the best I ever was." Back in 09 I got angery with the "support our troops" bullshit because no one was actually doing anything to support me. I couldn't find a job, my marriage fell apart, I was pissed off all the time & what I really wanted wasn't recognition. I wanted sex, lots and lots of sex. I wrote a poem about 09 called "after the home coming" and the only reviewer who got the sex reference was another Marine. Not that I was expecting anyone to get anything, it just struck me as funny. All wars are total bullshit and a sign of human failure. We fought because we were Marines. There was no other reason.
My little bro was in the Australian army. Writings a good outlet. Great to see you having the sense .. read moreMy little bro was in the Australian army. Writings a good outlet. Great to see you having the sense to share your stroies. I heard the suicide rate amongst returned US soliders is incredibly high and that the system is failing them in so many ways. You are lucky you've got a way of getting that s**t out of your system. Keep it up. Good place for it!
12 Years Ago
Unfortunatly the suicide stories are true. Some of the stuff on the Armed Forces blogs is heart wren.. read moreUnfortunatly the suicide stories are true. Some of the stuff on the Armed Forces blogs is heart wrenching. I've a weird sense of humor so the way I look at it is Hajji couldn't kill me and I'm sure as s**t not gonna do it for him.
12 Years Ago
Nothing weird about it! In life humour is the finest weapon we have against death. To be a survivor .. read moreNothing weird about it! In life humour is the finest weapon we have against death. To be a survivor you've gotta have one, no to ways about it. Clearly your a survivor on a number of levels. Glad your still around to tell your story! Best wishes.
I write just for the hell of it
A way to spend some time
Blurting out in cyber space
Whatever's on my mind
Maybe funny maybe tragic
Emotional and raw
Politi.. more..