http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2012-02-11T15:54:03+00:00
This is a thought provoking post, and a reminder for all of us of the great sacrifices that others are making to keep our country free. A special thank you goes out to Nicole Thompson, and her family, for their dedicated service to this country for three generations. God Bless you all.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/memorial_day_reflections_baghdad/ Tue Jun 02, 2009
Thank you so much for sharing your story -- what a great post in honor of memorial day!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/memorial_day_reflections_baghdad/ Mon Jun 01, 2009
One must take exception to the words, "battle-hardened" which the writer uses twice to describe America's military heros. All individuals who work on a daily basis and endure the worst of humanity's iniquities or problems, physical , emotional or mental, do not become "battle-hardened". If they did they would cease to be who God made them and their own humanity would suffer greatly. Doctors, nurses, paramedics, firefighters, military, airforce, naval, marines, policemen, Delta Forces, all special ops become more experienced in their line of work and become even more dedicated to their missions. "Battle-hardened" implies that individuals who experience terrible events no longer feel any emotions regarding these events. That is not the case.

Anyone who has worked with individuals who suffer from post traumatic distress syndrome , especially war veterans, suffer because they feel too much. Some can set aside emotions in order to do the skilled jobs for which they are trained. That does not mean that they do not feel and understand what is happening but instead use what is commonly referred to as "black humour" to get them through these events. They also are more prone to focus steadily on the task at hand.Some individuals, whose wiring is more fragile, may not be able to cope with the inhumanity they have to deal with.They often require compassionate counselling and help with their emotions. Veterans have been known to commit suicide, cause violence to erupt with their families simply because they have not been given the help they so desperately require.Post war care is as important or even more important than the instruction, training, skills and drills one goes through to become a seasoned person in their field of expertise.It is a real misnomer to characterize individuals as "battle-hardened" with regard to their humanity.

The crux of the real problem is that there are simply not enough of the above-mentioned trained individuals. Repeated deployments, instead of a series of rotational tours of duty with plenty of rest and relaxation would definitely help to solve the issues one sees in veterans. With deep and serious budget cuts in defense and other areas and a much smaller volunteer army, inadequate veteran care, it is no wonder that veterans are more prone to exhibiting major problems that affect themselves and their families and extended families.The use of drugs and alcohol to numb their pain is common. Those veterans who cannot talk about their experiences are not "battle-hardened". They are reluctant to do so because it raises too many emotions that are too unbearable to reveal.The ones who are still deployed, use selective memory to get through their tours of duty. The problems generally occur when they get home.What is asked of these individuals is above and beyond what is required of the average civilian. To be in their presence is to be in the presence of the truest heros. Their sacrifices, alive or dead, demand respect, memorialization and substantial assistance.Failure to do so in the minds of many, is tantamount to, inhumanity.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/memorial_day_reflections_baghdad/ Sun May 31, 2009
@ Nicole -- your entry gave me goosebumps. We are fortunate to have women like you serving our country. God bless!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/memorial_day_reflections_baghdad/ Sun May 31, 2009
GOD BLESS OUR SOLDIERS MEN AND WOMEN WHO FIGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM AND RIGHTS!!! I was a FIRE FIGHTER IN BAGHDAD, IRAQ

I'm going to step back in time as well, remembering 2004 when arriving in Iraq and what the experience taught me. The temperatures were extremely hot, windy, sand storms appeared from nowhere. Everything was hussle and bussle just like at a busy shopping mall. The very tents we stayed in were shaken by the sand storms. In the background you heard the music of war. Flat sand with no trees exist. Motar Rounds firing, guns going off, no telling how many rounds being fired, just constant incoming and outgoing shells. As we got our gear and went to the tents for briefing, you had that feeling of Honor and duty surrounded the tent. I had been jetlegged but managed to get a few hours rest. We were instructed to drink water I mean lots of water, so at 3 am in the morning, you spend some time waking up and getting to the port-o-potty with a flashlight. That very night I just couldn't get back to sleep so I stayed up just to have a feel to what was happening. A few hours later it felt like an earthquake emerged, the ground shook, everyone I was with just started looking around to see what happened? Then we found out a car bombing happened just outside the Gate where 37 Iraqi kids were killed by an Iraqi suicide bomber. About the time we got our nerves back and really getting an impression to whats truly happening, all of sudden another attack happens at the Victory Camp. We lost an American Soldier, the Iraqi's fired a motar round into his place of dwelling, the Soldier just returned from running, he had been in the shower when the attack occurred. The Motar round went right through the entire dwelling, setting it completely in a blaze of fire. It was heartbreaking and sad he did not make it. It was our fire Teams in Victory that responded to the call. It was late in the evening and you heard the sounds of bagpipes honoring our Soldiers who perished in war. My heart stopped for a minute when hearing those bag pipes knowing we lost another brave soldier who gave his life for other people to enjoy the Freedom of life! Bowing my head and saying a prayer "Rest In Peace"!!!

I have to give the 1St Calvary a Salute from one Veteran to all those who saved my life. Sometimes in life you just don't know what danger really is until you get into the situation. I was inventorying my Fire Equipment on a Sunday Morning back in 2004. I kept hearing more rounds being fired but really didn't pay much attention, since I was more focussed on doing my work at the time. Then all of sudden without warning, a group of soldiers came into my connex told me to leave ASAP! Get into your bunker NOW! I had did what the Soldiers told me to do, went to the bunker with everyone else. As the area was zoned off, preventing anyone from entering, a few minutes past then "KAAAAAABOOOM"!!! A bellowing cloud of smoke rises and the wind takes it away. I mean you could hear this sound echoed for miles and it was just right next to us. The United States Army Soldiers found an "Improvised Explosive Device" right behind the connex where we had been working that morning. Had they not came in and told us to get out when they did, I know I wouldn't be telling this story today. The men and women of the all branches of Service in Iraq and foreign Countries who were apart of the same thread, gutts, and glory all had Honor, Duty and Made Sacrafices!

"Those who have never been in War or had the chance to serve the United States overseas, be ever so humbled for those who have served and Thank "The YOUNG MEN and Women" who put their lives on the line for YOU!"

My Prayers will always be for the United States Military in Iraq and Afghanistan. I served with the BEST people on earth!

21 GUN SALUTE]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/memorial_day_reflections_baghdad/ Sat May 30, 2009
Thank you for this wonderful and touching posting. I would also like to say thank you to all our troops. Your sacrifices are appreciated. I second Lee S.'s comment. You are inspiring and words are inadequate to express our gratitude. Again, thank you and Godspeed.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/memorial_day_reflections_baghdad/ Sat May 30, 2009
Inspiring . Words are inadequate to express my admiration for these soldiers. I was in Vietnam at the time of the TET offensive but we had to be there because of the draft. These guys are volunteers.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/memorial_day_reflections_baghdad/ Sat May 30, 2009
the battle between good and evil is always present, spiritually and physically. good battles have to be fought to combat evil and lives will always be lost even from the beginning of time it has been that way. the reason i think the physical battles in the middle east have been long and hard is because it has a much bigger spiritual component than other battles. religion and traditions have always been big oppressors and killers of mankind. those people in the middle east are deep seated in traditions and religion. they are a huge threat to humanity and i applaud any one who is voluntarily willing to help fight this battle but im also sad that the innocent are always the victims.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/memorial_day_reflections_baghdad/ Sat May 30, 2009