2008 Woodie Awards
My heart is in Iraq
Tina Damron
Issue date: 11/9/06 Section: features
- Page 1 of 2 next >
|
My son Zach is a member of 3rd Platoon B Company 2-505 PIR 3rd Brigade 82nd Airborne Division of the Army. He was deployed to Iraq August 9, 2006 and his deployment is expected to last for at least twelve to eighteen months. In spite of our many differing opinions regarding the validity of the war in Iraq, it is important for each of us to remember that this war is about people.
This war is about the thousands of American soldiers who have lost their lives in this conflict. It is about the tens of thousands who have been injured or permanently disabled. It is about the American soldiers who stand in death's door every single day fighting the insurgents who continue to threaten the freedom of the Iraqi people.
And it is also about the families who wait at home…
October 28 - Nov. 5, 2006
Dear Zachmo,
This has been a very long week for me; the days seem to drag on as I wake up to another day without talking to you.
Everyday more soldiers are dying. We are only five days into November and the death toll is already rising. A soldier from Sweet Valley was injured by an IED; thankfully, he will be okay with some time.
Saddam was found guilty and sentenced to hang. As much as I hate this war, it was a good reminder of why you are there. Stay safe, bud. Tikrit isn't the friendliest place these days. You make me chuckle, Zachmo. Your team is 'last resort' and you hate it because you have to wait; yet you love it because when your team is called in there is always lots of action. I do believe you are an adrenaline junkie, just like your Pops!
It is killing your Pops to not be with you in Iraq. My heart just aches for him; he worries about you. He said that he had 20 years to get ready for war and you barely had a year. Mamas and daddies never stop worrying, no matter how old you are or where you are.
We vote in mid term elections on Tuesday. It will be interesting to see how things shake out. Iraq is the issue for almost everyone, the loss of life, the emotional and financial cost; it is almost too much to bear. It's difficult to know how to vote because it's hard to know who to believe, who will take the best care of all of you and bring you home.