A U.S. soldier from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment runs towards the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)Running, running
As fast as we can
I really hope you make it
(do you think well make it? )
We're running
Keep holding my hand
It's so we don't get separated
Running/No Doubt
Evening...
I have been away and just returned tonight to some pretty ugly photos. As a father of a warrior on the ground with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, it is never easy to look the face of war straight up...but that is what these pictures have challenged me to do. The photos are stark, raw and are a clear indication that our warriors remain in the middle of the fight in Iraq...regardless of what the calendar says and any planning that might be going on in the rear.
I thought quite a while about whether to show the photos that tell the story of what happened in the Diyala province on 8 August and the response of the 2nd SCR to a "turn your head and don't look" situation. I decided that to understand what our men and women are experiencing we need to, at times, look at the ugliness of it all so we understand just a little.
Otherwise, we may convince ourselves that it was 15 months of fruit stands, checkpoints and providing candy and soccer balls to the Iraqi children. I made a promise to Chris to stay in the fight until he returns home. I will honor that commitment with tonight's blog, though I chose to leave out a number of graphic photos. I will not give up...
You will have to decide for yourself whether you run with the 2nd SCR soldier towards the site where an explosive device went off inside a house in Diyala province. What kind of courage does it take to run towards a scene like this...do you know?
Again, fair warning - these photos are not for the faint of heart. So please, exit my blog now and return tomorrow for further news on the 2nd SCR if this is not something for you...
For those who are already running towards the explosion remember...our warriors were trained to respond and they did. I expect they knew what they were running towards...
Your thoughts?
Chris, this was a tough blog to write tonight, son. I had no idea what I was getting into last August. No one handed me a father's book for a 15-month combat deployment. However, a promise is a promise. I love you and my heart aches every time I see what you and the warriors of the 2nd SCR are dealing with...stay strong buddy.
We are praying for you and the entire 2nd SCR. We remember...
Love,
Dad
A U.S. soldier from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment runs at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
Smoke rises at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
U.S. soldiers run towards the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
A wounded Iraqi soldier is attended to by another Iraqi soldier at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
A U.S. soldier (L) from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment helps a wounded Iraqi soldier at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
A wounded Iraqi soldier is helped by a U.S. soldier (L) from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment and another Iraqi soldier at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
A wounded Iraqi soldier is helped by a U.S. soldier (L) from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment and Iraqi soldiers at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
A wounded Iraqi soldier is helped by a U.S. soldier (L) from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment and another Iraqi soldier at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment and Iraqi soldiers attend to wounded soldiers at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
An Iraqi soldier cries next to a wounded soldier at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
I have been away and just returned tonight to some pretty ugly photos. As a father of a warrior on the ground with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, it is never easy to look the face of war straight up...but that is what these pictures have challenged me to do. The photos are stark, raw and are a clear indication that our warriors remain in the middle of the fight in Iraq...regardless of what the calendar says and any planning that might be going on in the rear.
I thought quite a while about whether to show the photos that tell the story of what happened in the Diyala province on 8 August and the response of the 2nd SCR to a "turn your head and don't look" situation. I decided that to understand what our men and women are experiencing we need to, at times, look at the ugliness of it all so we understand just a little.
Otherwise, we may convince ourselves that it was 15 months of fruit stands, checkpoints and providing candy and soccer balls to the Iraqi children. I made a promise to Chris to stay in the fight until he returns home. I will honor that commitment with tonight's blog, though I chose to leave out a number of graphic photos. I will not give up...
You will have to decide for yourself whether you run with the 2nd SCR soldier towards the site where an explosive device went off inside a house in Diyala province. What kind of courage does it take to run towards a scene like this...do you know?
Again, fair warning - these photos are not for the faint of heart. So please, exit my blog now and return tomorrow for further news on the 2nd SCR if this is not something for you...
For those who are already running towards the explosion remember...our warriors were trained to respond and they did. I expect they knew what they were running towards...
Your thoughts?
Chris, this was a tough blog to write tonight, son. I had no idea what I was getting into last August. No one handed me a father's book for a 15-month combat deployment. However, a promise is a promise. I love you and my heart aches every time I see what you and the warriors of the 2nd SCR are dealing with...stay strong buddy.
We are praying for you and the entire 2nd SCR. We remember...
Love,
Dad
A U.S. soldier from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment runs at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
Smoke rises at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
U.S. soldiers run towards the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
A wounded Iraqi soldier is attended to by another Iraqi soldier at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
A U.S. soldier (L) from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment helps a wounded Iraqi soldier at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
A wounded Iraqi soldier is helped by a U.S. soldier (L) from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment and another Iraqi soldier at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
A wounded Iraqi soldier is helped by a U.S. soldier (L) from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment and Iraqi soldiers at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
A wounded Iraqi soldier is helped by a U.S. soldier (L) from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment and another Iraqi soldier at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment and Iraqi soldiers attend to wounded soldiers at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
An Iraqi soldier cries next to a wounded soldier at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment and Iraqi soldiers carry away wounded soldiers at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
Two U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment carry away a wounded Iraqi soldier on a stretcher at the site where an explosive device went off inside a house during security operations in Diyala province August 8, 2008. Picture taken August 8. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)
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4 comments:
Wow, that was a hard thing to look at. We want to imagine all is better since our soldiers tour is almost over. But it isn't better. A fact that my soldier keeps reminding me of why they still need to be there. My heart is in my throat as I look at these pics. I feel guilt as I realize I am thankful it was the Iraqi soldiers that were injured.
It does show our soldiers are quick to do what they have been trained for and have much experience in after a year in the sandbox, they run towards the fight not away from it. Not only that, they have helped train the Iraqi's to fight for themselves so they can take over, we see here our goal is being met. Our Hero's are again, making us proud to be Americans.
Praying for all,
Terrie
Proud Mother of Matt 3/2 SCR
These are difficult pictures to look at, but war is ugly. I, too, was thankful to see it wasn't our soldiers that I was looking at. It's just a normal reaction.
I came here from Mrs G's Dawn Patrol. I too am praying for all, and so grateful for our military and their families. God bless you, and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I remember when he was home on leave I said to my son "you've seen things no one your age should see". His reply was "I've seen things no one should ever see". Kinda disproves the old Irish saying, "you can't put an old head on a young body".
Proud of our soldiers!
tom
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