15 March 2013
So Marine engineers were building this new road out to the east of Sangin City. They were getting blown up and ambushed weekly and losing Marines. The security element that they brought had taken a hit and needed to be relieved. My security element (which was from a different unit, but we were really good) was called to replace the current Marines. A Cpl from my last unit was killed out there and the rest of his crew in the truck were badly wounded. Well out of pure coincidence, my truck had to replace his location. We parked right next to the crater where the IED blew up. You could see all kinds of fragments and such and it was so scary. While on that post, I had my first experiences with IED's. We had one blow up 40ft from my truck. I was facing away from it so the shield from my turret block the projectiles. The concussion wave caused though seriously screwed you up for a little while. I ended up falling down and was so disoriented. I was replaced for the day and remained in the truck gathering myself back together. I was so scared when I had to jump back up in the gun. This was only day 3 or 4. We were told it would be a 7-30 day mission. Luckily it was only 10 days. The next IED was about 60ft away and was smaller and didn’t hit me like the last one had. At night we would here rounds flying past us but couldn't ever get a location to fire back. So basically, IED's during the day and gunfire by night. Here is the poem. This was written on day like 7 or 8 at night.
Here I stand on this dark night, willing to serve and ready to fight. Here to prove to all I am a man, in this awful little country of Afghanistan.
Here I see these pretty little stars so bright, wondering why this country is far from being right. Here to protect my family and beautiful country, as the Taliban attempts to kill me.
Here is sit and pray to my Heavenly Father, asking for a safe return to my loving mother. Here to bless and comfort all of my men, from all the evil and temptation that could possibly happen.
Here I think to myself why am I so lonely, is there really no one out there to love me? Here I do what most men aren't brave enough for, yet I still have no one to love and adore.
Here I am a war fighting Marine, always looking good and pristine. Here I am behind my fifty, hands tied unable to engage hardly.
Here to provide my men with security, and fight for my countries liberties. Why does it seem no one appreciates me, if only they knew of all the hostilities.
Here I am, this dark night, getting shot at, but unable to fight. I love you dad with all my heart, at least you can see I’m doing by part......
April 3, 2012
Starry Night • Opuss № I