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A soldier talks about day-to-day life in Iraq

COMMENTARY | April 06, 2006

Some thoughts by a career Army officer, upon reading an online article about a fellow Texan, badly injured, who was awarded the Silver Star.


By Lt. Col. Rich Morales
Rich.morales@us.army.mil

BAGHDAD, APRIL 6—Many who have served in Iraq or are now serving in military, government, academia, or in private sector positions connected to this endeavor have shared their perspective; my goal is simply to provide one additional Army snapshot.

The US military is not unlike any other organization, large or small, whose strength is derived from its people. Some service members fall disappointingly short (Abu Ghraib Prison), while others demonstrate a sense of duty, mission and respect for Iraqis which sparked me to share what I see from my perspective here in Iraq. That image is perhaps best captured by the following letter, which I sent to my hometown newspaper, The El Paso Times, in response to an excellent story on a wounded local hero. Here is the text of that letter:

It was heartwarming to read your article on Lance Corporal Ben Gonzales. Your writing captured his sense of duty to his nation and fellow Marines, his remarkable attitude, and his sense of humility. The Silver Star is not awarded lightly in any service. It is the measure of the intensity of the situation he faced and the heroism – gallantry in action – that he displayed instinctively and without hesitation.

This war is personal for every American regardless of their politics or position on this conflict. Our connection to this war goes beyond geography or culture; we are linked by a phenomenon called the volunteer military. Like Ben, I am from El Paso. My cousin, a Marine Infantry Lieutenant and Platoon Commander, lost his leg in a roadside attack. I am currently serving my fourth tour in the Middle East, this time as an operations officer in the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team in Baghdad. Our Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen are performing superbly under the incredible stresses of ground combat and strains of separation from loved ones.

Almost two years after Ben sustained his life changing injuries [in Fallujah], we are still in Iraq.  As a professional military officer, I do not engage in public debates on the complex arguments that are clearly articulated by both supporters and opponents of this war. 

As Americans, this discussion is healthy. I do not believe that our troops feel unsupported because our citizens are exercising their right to question, frame issues, and weigh options. The media are doing their job here, often at great risk, and we are doing ours; nonetheless, as I read the stories back home (I read the El Paso Times online every day and have for years), I cannot help but think that something is lost in translation.

From my vantage point on the ground, Iraq is at a critical juncture as it establishes its government and builds up the necessary diplomatic, political, military, legal, and essential services infrastructure required to support a society. The Iraqis with whom I work day in and day out tirelessly endeavor to improve their condition and deserve the effort and resources we are expending.

I will close by sharing insight into the Soldiers I serve alongside. They are a cross-section of America, and I am continually inspired by twenty year olds who are committed to making a difference at such a young age. Our citizens patrol the streets of Baghdad in harm’s way and build trust where it matters most: on the street, with the people of this nascent democracy. Soldiers are compassionate and thoughtful in the conduct of their duties. 

Make no mistake, they are trained to be lethal instruments of national power when necessary, but they are asked to do so much more. They build schools, attend local governance meetings, clear roads of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), work public health issues, assist in hostage rescues, and render immediate aid to the wounded. They even aid wounded insurgents, demonstrating the value of a professional force that abides by the Law of Land Warfare. 

Perhaps most important, they build and train a just and disciplined Iraqi security force, designed to be capable of standing the tests of power and politics that inevitably loom in Iraq’s near future. Our Soldiers do all of this as a team and without complaint. It is very powerful and, frankly, humbling to serve with these men and women.

I am proud of the Soldiers of the Cobra Brigade and look forward to the day we return to Fort Hood late this year. However, on this particular day, my pride is focused not on Baghdad, but on West Texas, to a shining example of an El Pasoan and fellow Riverside High School Ranger who made a difference, saved lives, and has our deepest respect. Well done, Ben.

 [Lt. Col. Morales's letter was printed in the El Paso Times on March 30, 2006.]



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