Situation report: We're doing great things. We're training/we've trained many thousands of Iraqi soldiers. We've rebuilt/we're rebuilding bunches of water purification plants, hospitals, schools. We've cleared/detonatad hundreds of insurgent munitions. My unit has suffered very few casualties. Please forgive the vagueness, operational security.
We have a large and heavily supplied AAFES PX. We have anysoldier.com and our families to thank for the thousands of care packages. We still have a generous supply of phone cards free to the soldiers.
NEEDS: I need a real beer, :D--> but regulations prohibit it. I need my wife's physical presence, but regulations and the fact that she aint here prohibit that. I need a one-way ticket home, but, you know. :(-->
We're also on the downhill slide, almost home, "around Christmas." ;)--> :D--> :D--> :D-->
Brother Speed, E-5, I'll be retiring too soon for another deployment. Hooray!!
Prayers for you and all of your fellow armed forces there.
Want you all home NOW
Even though I don't agree with our current position --
I want you to know how very proud of you I am, and all our brave men and women, for doing your duty, for standing for this country, for doing your best. You exhibit the kind of bravery, commitment, and dedication that make us all hold our heads up in pride.
My wife is also an active duty soldier in the military with me. That’s where we met and later married. She didn’t get to come and play with us in Iraq because she had some health issues that needed to be resolved first. That does not sit well with a lot of soldiers, but has little to do with this story. She finally had her health record reviewed at Ft Lewis last March. She went to several different doctors. First she went to a mental health specialist because some colonel said she was nuts. Turns out, she’s normal. Next she went to an internal health specialist, again, normal. Then a gynecologist, again, normal. Then she went to an ear, nose and throat specialist. Her ears were not normal. She exhibited symptoms of a degenerative ear disease called Meniere’s Disease. “But just to be certain that we’re not missing something else, lets get some MRI results.†The MRI displayed a ‘shadow’. “Mmm, not good.†Now, a full C-T scan. Results: Tumor. “I believe this tumor is benign (non-cancerous), but I also believe that it is growing and causing all of your earaches, headaches, dizzy spells, nausea, etc. It should be removed sooner, not later. I wouldn’t wait for your husband to come home from Iraq.â€
After the “spin and puke room†test, she had surgery scheduled in April. Her doctor initiated an Emergency Red Cross message stating that I should be brought home to be with my wife. I got the message and proceeded to fill out the proper forms to go on emergency leave. It went up the chain of command to the general and back down again and came back with, DENIED: NOT LIFE THREATENING.
I was enraged. I went to the chaplain, calmed down, and we prayed.
My wife’s surgery date came up and I was still in Iraq. Her mother was tasked with ‘every little thing’ because I couldn’t be there. Her parents understood being former Navy and all. I’m current military, but I still didn’t understand. Her surgery started well. But then, the doctor’s couldn’t excise all of the tumor because all at once her sinus cavity filled with blood and her blood pressure spiked. They stopped the procedure, closed up her head and sent her to recovery in the ICU. The medical staff spent ‘three of the longest most agonizing hours’ trying to revive her. Then, she opened her eyes, and spoke coherently, but very groggy. Thank God we didn’t lose her! Thank God she’s getting better, even still.
I was still quite angry until…
A couple of weeks later… I discovered at lunchtime that I neglected to take my wallet and key with me when I left for work. Normally I always check for those items as I have since arriving in Iraq last year. Why was today so different? I'm not entirely certain but it could be that I changed uniforms that morning in the dark so as to not awaken my roommate. Anyway, I had to come back to the room. But if it were locked, I would have to go to the Chaplain's office to get a key from my roommate because that’s where he worked. I decided to check my room first to see if it were unlocked as it was on the way to the Chaplain's office. What luck. It was open. The light was turned off so I turned it on. There was my roommate sitting in his chair with tears in his eyes and a loaded weapon close by. I hadn’t noticed anything amiss and proceeded to procure my wallet and key. I then told my roommate that I was going to lunch and had invited him to go along. He told me that he really needed to talk just then. I told him that I was hungry but that I could spare a few minutes. During the next few moments he told me that he was having a really bad day and that he had just prayed to God telling God to send someone to his room to talk to or that he was going to end his life. Just before he ended his prayer, I entered the room. So I talked to him about his current situation and I told him that really he was too scared to end his life anyway and that there were about 10,000 reasons why he shouldn't do it and then I reminded him of his lovely wife and his darling little girls. Then I told him what I thought of the counseling statements that he was getting (that caused his emotional state) and what he could do about it. He told me that he really appreciated me coming into the room at that moment. He still had tears in his eyes so I asked him if he needed a hug. W e hugged and he composed himself and came to lunch with me. During the walk he thanked me for being a friend and to keep this between us. I told him I would.
That day I felt like a hero. That day I finally understood why the answer to my prayer was no.
During the next few moments he told me that he was having a really bad day and that he had just prayed to God telling God to send someone to his room to talk to or that he was going to end his life. Just before he ended his prayer, I entered the room.
quote:
That day I felt like a hero. That day I finally understood why the answer to my prayer was no.
Recommended Posts
coolchef1248 @adelphia.net
brother speed
my club recently sent $1,000.00 worth of phone cards to oilfield medic's outfit
please let me know what we can do for you
-->
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markomalley
bump
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Brother Speed
Hey guys,
It's great to 'see' ya. Thanks for posting.
-->
Situation report: We're doing great things. We're training/we've trained many thousands of Iraqi soldiers. We've rebuilt/we're rebuilding bunches of water purification plants, hospitals, schools. We've cleared/detonatad hundreds of insurgent munitions. My unit has suffered very few casualties. Please forgive the vagueness, operational security.
We have a large and heavily supplied AAFES PX. We have anysoldier.com and our families to thank for the thousands of care packages. We still have a generous supply of phone cards free to the soldiers.
NEEDS: I need a real beer,
:D--> but regulations prohibit it. 
I need my wife's physical presence, 
but regulations and the fact that she aint here prohibit that. 
I need a one-way ticket home, but, you know. 
:(-->
We're also on the downhill slide, almost home, "around Christmas."
;)--> 
:D--> 
:D--> 
:D-->
Brother Speed, E-5, I'll be retiring too soon for another deployment. Hooray!!
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Zshot
Brother Speed,
Thank you for your hard work and service to this country!
Craig
Army Reserves Retired
Currently, DA Civilian
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Brother Speed
I sorry I forgot.
Prayers! I need prayers!
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Belle
You got 'em, Bro, Lots of 'em! Thanks for your service!!
:)-->
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jardinero
Brother Speed:
I have family over there in Special Forces and pray for you guys daily.
Be well and stay safe.
J.
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Brother Speed
Yes, I will stay safe, alive and I will come home in one piece.
And thanks for the prayers, keep 'em coming, Lord knows I need 'em.
All of you folks have a deep spot in my heart!
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jardinero
Hey Cheffie:
Here's one for your group to support:
Project Valour
J.
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dmiller
Brother Speed -- Thanks!! It's good to hear a positive report for once.
David
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dmiller
Forgot to mention --- am definately sending prayers your way.
David
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TheHighWay
Brother Speed,
Thanks for taking time to post here. And a big THANK YOU and your fellow service men and women for doing what you are doing!!!
THW
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templelady
Prayers for you and all of your fellow armed forces there.
Want you all home NOW
Even though I don't agree with our current position --
I want you to know how very proud of you I am, and all our brave men and women, for doing your duty, for standing for this country, for doing your best. You exhibit the kind of bravery, commitment, and dedication that make us all hold our heads up in pride.
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Brother Speed
Thank you Mark, Cool, Zshot, Belle, Jardinero, David, THW and Mo.
I appreciate your prayers and support. It is my honor to serve.
But for y'all, here's a little humor:
In Iraq, there are a couple of rules to follow.
1) If you think that you are headed in the right direction -- turn around.
2) If it tastes good -- spit it out.
The Iraqis have an expression, I and my brother against you. We have an American expression -- Bring It On!!
Brother Speed, soldiering on! Out!
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Brother Speed
These are so funny!
From Norwegian soldiers in Kosovo
http://www.anysoldier.com/Video/Kosovomusicvideo.wmv This is for you Mark, but I would rate it PG-13.
From British soldiers in Iraq
http://www.anysoldier.com/Video/which-way-to-amarillo.wmv This I would rate G.
these guys are funny check em out...its good to see that they can still laugh.
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Brother Speed
My wife is also an active duty soldier in the military with me. That’s where we met and later married. She didn’t get to come and play with us in Iraq because she had some health issues that needed to be resolved first. That does not sit well with a lot of soldiers, but has little to do with this story. She finally had her health record reviewed at Ft Lewis last March. She went to several different doctors. First she went to a mental health specialist because some colonel said she was nuts. Turns out, she’s normal. Next she went to an internal health specialist, again, normal. Then a gynecologist, again, normal. Then she went to an ear, nose and throat specialist. Her ears were not normal. She exhibited symptoms of a degenerative ear disease called Meniere’s Disease. “But just to be certain that we’re not missing something else, lets get some MRI results.†The MRI displayed a ‘shadow’. “Mmm, not good.†Now, a full C-T scan. Results: Tumor. “I believe this tumor is benign (non-cancerous), but I also believe that it is growing and causing all of your earaches, headaches, dizzy spells, nausea, etc. It should be removed sooner, not later. I wouldn’t wait for your husband to come home from Iraq.â€
After the “spin and puke room†test, she had surgery scheduled in April. Her doctor initiated an Emergency Red Cross message stating that I should be brought home to be with my wife. I got the message and proceeded to fill out the proper forms to go on emergency leave. It went up the chain of command to the general and back down again and came back with, DENIED: NOT LIFE THREATENING.
I was enraged. I went to the chaplain, calmed down, and we prayed.
My wife’s surgery date came up and I was still in Iraq. Her mother was tasked with ‘every little thing’ because I couldn’t be there. Her parents understood being former Navy and all. I’m current military, but I still didn’t understand. Her surgery started well. But then, the doctor’s couldn’t excise all of the tumor because all at once her sinus cavity filled with blood and her blood pressure spiked. They stopped the procedure, closed up her head and sent her to recovery in the ICU. The medical staff spent ‘three of the longest most agonizing hours’ trying to revive her. Then, she opened her eyes, and spoke coherently, but very groggy. Thank God we didn’t lose her! Thank God she’s getting better, even still.
I was still quite angry until…
A couple of weeks later… I discovered at lunchtime that I neglected to take my wallet and key with me when I left for work. Normally I always check for those items as I have since arriving in Iraq last year. Why was today so different? I'm not entirely certain but it could be that I changed uniforms that morning in the dark so as to not awaken my roommate. Anyway, I had to come back to the room. But if it were locked, I would have to go to the Chaplain's office to get a key from my roommate because that’s where he worked. I decided to check my room first to see if it were unlocked as it was on the way to the Chaplain's office. What luck. It was open. The light was turned off so I turned it on. There was my roommate sitting in his chair with tears in his eyes and a loaded weapon close by. I hadn’t noticed anything amiss and proceeded to procure my wallet and key. I then told my roommate that I was going to lunch and had invited him to go along. He told me that he really needed to talk just then. I told him that I was hungry but that I could spare a few minutes. During the next few moments he told me that he was having a really bad day and that he had just prayed to God telling God to send someone to his room to talk to or that he was going to end his life. Just before he ended his prayer, I entered the room. So I talked to him about his current situation and I told him that really he was too scared to end his life anyway and that there were about 10,000 reasons why he shouldn't do it and then I reminded him of his lovely wife and his darling little girls. Then I told him what I thought of the counseling statements that he was getting (that caused his emotional state) and what he could do about it. He told me that he really appreciated me coming into the room at that moment. He still had tears in his eyes so I asked him if he needed a hug. W e hugged and he composed himself and came to lunch with me. During the walk he thanked me for being a friend and to keep this between us. I told him I would.
That day I felt like a hero. That day I finally understood why the answer to my prayer was no.
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jardinero
Brother Speed:
So glad to hear your wife is doing well. I'm sure it's comforting to know she's in the good care of her parents even if you can't be there.
I was glad, at least, to hear that 300+ airmen from our gulf region were sent home to deal with their families due to the hurricane here.
Thanks for that little story. We never know when we'll be the right people in the right place at the right time. Glad you were.
Be well. I loved the Kosovo clip
:)-->
J.
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coolchef1248 @adelphia.net
bro speed
you ARE a hero!!
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Brother Speed
Thanks jardinero, thanks coolchef.
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dmiller
Wow!!
David
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A la prochaine
Brother Speed,
Welcome to GSC and thank you for sharing your life with us here.
What wonderful stories filled with love and compassion.
Thank you.
ps...the videos were halarious!
:P-->
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Brother Speed
WooHoo!!! I have returned to my native habitat.
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HAPe4me
Welcome home BroSpeed. Very glad you did so safely, now for the rest of your comrades.
~HAP
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Linda Z
Welcome home, BroSpeed! So glad you're back and safe and sound!!
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