(no subject)
I finally found some time to get on the internet, and I thought I'd update as to what has been going on here. I've been getting alot of mail, mostly from my parents but some from my friends and I think it's making me a pretty happy guy.
Anyways, the other day we were on our patrol/convoy, and the place we were going takes about 8-12 hours to get to, and that's if we don't have any problems. Well, the whole thing started out bad.
First, one of my Marines split his lip open, so I had to treat him for that, and we ended up taking him to the BAS for a real quick stitch job. That set us back about 2 hours, but we finally got on the road. About 5 miles down the road, one of the Iraqi drivers that was carrying supplies in our convoy drove his truck into the ditch and flipped it over, so I had to race back and help the other 2 Corpsman treat him. I ended up popping an IV into him, and we called in a helicopter to evacuate him. It was pretty cool dude, like something out of a movie. We loaded him up, and then the helicopter took off and sprayed dust EVERYWHERE, but off we went. Well, about an hour down the road, the 7-ton vehicle that rides directly in front of me hit an IED.
I ride security now, which is basically with the guys that goes out and tries to make contact with the enemy before the rest of the convoy does. We try to either engage, or find IED's, or hit them...It's the most dangerous job here but I like being there and seeing things first hand. Anyways, the IED went off, and it was just total confusion. It was only 30 feet away, and it might have been me. It might be me the next time, but I have faith that God will protect me. Well we looked for secondary bombs, and then they finally let me out to go see my Marines. I ran up and opened the door, and they all came out disoriented, and the gunner was screaming, "My face is burning!" I looked all of them over, and there was nothing there...they were all fine. In shock, but fine. We got so lucky. We pressed on, and in all it took about 20 hours to get there. I love my Marines, they are the epitome of courage. The same ones that were in the blast, got in a different truck and kept leading the way. Not because they had to, but because they wouldn't have it any other way.
On the way back, we came by an Iraqi truck with about 30 Iraqis around it. We helped them out. I had my M16 and provided security, and we checked if anyone needed medical care but thankfully they wereall okay. We gave them 4 cases of bottled water (it's hot here so that was a good thing) and called in the Army to help them.
I'm not saying the news is wrong, but it only shows one side of the story, we're doing some good things here and helping some people out. I'm thankful to be seeing it first hand but I can't wait to get home.
I love everyone and miss them all, stay safe <3
Anyways, the other day we were on our patrol/convoy, and the place we were going takes about 8-12 hours to get to, and that's if we don't have any problems. Well, the whole thing started out bad.
First, one of my Marines split his lip open, so I had to treat him for that, and we ended up taking him to the BAS for a real quick stitch job. That set us back about 2 hours, but we finally got on the road. About 5 miles down the road, one of the Iraqi drivers that was carrying supplies in our convoy drove his truck into the ditch and flipped it over, so I had to race back and help the other 2 Corpsman treat him. I ended up popping an IV into him, and we called in a helicopter to evacuate him. It was pretty cool dude, like something out of a movie. We loaded him up, and then the helicopter took off and sprayed dust EVERYWHERE, but off we went. Well, about an hour down the road, the 7-ton vehicle that rides directly in front of me hit an IED.
I ride security now, which is basically with the guys that goes out and tries to make contact with the enemy before the rest of the convoy does. We try to either engage, or find IED's, or hit them...It's the most dangerous job here but I like being there and seeing things first hand. Anyways, the IED went off, and it was just total confusion. It was only 30 feet away, and it might have been me. It might be me the next time, but I have faith that God will protect me. Well we looked for secondary bombs, and then they finally let me out to go see my Marines. I ran up and opened the door, and they all came out disoriented, and the gunner was screaming, "My face is burning!" I looked all of them over, and there was nothing there...they were all fine. In shock, but fine. We got so lucky. We pressed on, and in all it took about 20 hours to get there. I love my Marines, they are the epitome of courage. The same ones that were in the blast, got in a different truck and kept leading the way. Not because they had to, but because they wouldn't have it any other way.
On the way back, we came by an Iraqi truck with about 30 Iraqis around it. We helped them out. I had my M16 and provided security, and we checked if anyone needed medical care but thankfully they wereall okay. We gave them 4 cases of bottled water (it's hot here so that was a good thing) and called in the Army to help them.
I'm not saying the news is wrong, but it only shows one side of the story, we're doing some good things here and helping some people out. I'm thankful to be seeing it first hand but I can't wait to get home.
I love everyone and miss them all, stay safe <3