POSTCARD FROM IRAQ

Naperville Sun, 3/13/2006

POST CARD FROM IRAQ

Matthew M. shares his reflections of his time overseas in this letter to the community:

Being deployed is an experience full of extremes. In the six months that I have been in Iraq, I have moved from a desolate desert command operation post in western Al Anbar province to the second-most-populated city in Iraq -- Mosul. I have patrolled the Syrian border looking for terrorists migrating into the country and have been stuck in traffic downtown similar to driving in the Loop. Out west, there are Bedouins who have nothing but a tent, some sheep and their family. In comparison, the city of Mosul is full of buildings with marble-inlay siding and satellite dishes on the roof.

My emotions range through extremes, too. I miss my family, my friends and my home dearly. But at the same moment, I have built bonds with my brothers in arms beyond my imagination. When I knew I was going home for midtour leave, I was so excited that people were envious of my happiness. At the same moment, I felt guilty for leaving my buddies in Iraq, knowing I wasn't able to watch their backs while I was gone.

Being over here has taught me so many valuable life lessons. Family is the foundation of a happy life. Without my family at home supporting me with care packages, morale-lifting phone calls and love in general, I know I wouldn't have made it this far. Trust in your peers as if they are your only armor. I'm forced to trust my buddies to watch my back, but I know that every single one of us would give our lives for each other. Finally, write daily. I write either in my journal or a letter home about the day past, every night. It's great to share my experiences with others in letters, and I will be able to read my journal and tell my grandkids Army stories, like my grandfather did for me.

Iraq, the Army and war. These things are my daily life. It's not just something I watch on the news or read about on the Internet. There is so much more that goes on over here that people don't see. The good that we
have done for the Iraqi people and the future of this country will never be seen on prime-time television. It's not that we soldiers want recognition or praise. We just want to be with our families again and out of harm's way. Next time you see a soldier, don't thank him for serving his country or feed him some other fluff. Just give him a hug and welcome him home. This is all I could ever want. Well, that and a free beer.

Matthew
Stryker Brigade Combat Team

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