One Soldier's Experience

Baghdad readies for Najaf

Mohammed writes:

Update: Ali went to the hospital today and told me that the bridge near the ministry of health was blocked by American Humvees and armored vehicles and that there were many American soldiers, IP and ING members there. Cars are prevented from crossing the bridge on either side but people are crossing the bridge on foot and the soldiers are searching those who pass. He knew from his colleagues who live in different areas of Baghdad that all bridges except the Al Sinak bridge and Al Jumhooryiah bridge are blocked. Some people think it’s because some fights that took place in Haifa street yesterday, but my guess is that this has nothing to do with it, as there were many fights in Haifa street but the bridges leading to the area were never blocked. Besides some of those bridges are far away from Haifa street. I think that blocking the bridges come along with the preparations to launch the final attack in Najaf to avoid any unpleasant reactions that may come from his followers in Baghdad or any other party that may try to take advantage of this critical situation to inflame it furthermore.

Everyone here is waiting for the final attack and the end of this crisis. Most people I met are waiting for the moment when they can see Muqtada and his deputies in handcuffs, those criminals have been given a chance they didn't deserve in the 1st place.

Snip from the Comments

Janet in Venice writes:

the US soldiers are reporting in their own voices that it is creepy to wage war in the cemetery, with bats flying out of crypts, and graves sinking under their feet, but they are discovering weapons caches hidden in mausoleums, with photos of the madhi taken while training in the graveyard, so creepy or not, the enemy decided to desecrate the city of the dead by thier own choice, and wherever they hide, then that's where they'll be taken.
and every media organ in iraq ought to be broadasting loud and clear that the americans are going to refuse to harm the shrine of Ali, no matter how they are provoked, so if there's damage, they want the world to know now-- in advance-- that it will not be by their hand.

Families Of 1-18, in FOB Omaha

Awesome, with photos, links, and comments.

Hey, Philip. Stephen Nash was also born in Plattsburg...

Postscript: What happened to Superman and B18

Lois Lane reports:

A soldier's new life

'I'm really, really lucky'

Thank you Stacy St. Clair (Lois Lane) for bringing forward the life of Joel Gomez (Superman).

Context:

On March 14, Joel watched the Adam Sandler comedy "50 First Dates" with some friends in an air-conditioned hut. It's his last memory of Iraq.

The next three days changed his life forever. He doesn't remember a second of it.

He now knows his commander sent him on a nighttime mission to scout an enemy camp. Iraqi insurgents had fired a missile near the Army post the night before and members of his platoon were sent to find their location.

Joel and five others took the lead Bradley Fighting Vehicle. He sat below in the troop cargo hold with two of his men, Specs. Tracy Laramore and Clint Matthews.

A solider's new life: Joel Gomez

Snip from Stacy St. Clair:

A solider's new life
By Stacy St. Clair
Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted 8/1/2004

First of two parts

Sgt. Joel Gomez awakes.

He is lying on his back in an unfamiliar bed. Through a haze, he sees his parents standing to his left. His girlfriend stands on the right. Why would they be there?

He remembers kissing them goodbye weeks ago when his unit, the 1-18th Infantry, was deployed to northern Iraq.

He wracks his brain for an explanation, but a clouded memory fails him. The last thing he can recall is watching an Adam Sandler movie with some Army buddies. When was that?

Read the whole article >>>

Joel Gomez, "I'm really, really lucky"

Snip from Stacy St. Clair:

'I'm really, really lucky'

By Stacy St. Clair
Daily Herald Staff Writer

Posted 8/2/2004

Eight-year-old Julio Sanchez stands next to his uncle's bed and watches him go through occupational therapy.

The therapist is urging Joel Gomez to flex his biceps and hold it there. A simple task for most people, the exercise is painful and exhausting for the Army sergeant, who was paralyzed from the neck down in an accident in Iraq.

He grunts and scrunches his face as if he were bench pressing an enormous weight. Julio's eyes are wide with anxiety and admiration.

Joel sees his nephew's face and tries to lighten the mood.

"Are you watching my back?" he asks Julio. "Are you looking out for Charlie?"

Panic flashes across Julio's face as he admits he doesn't know who Charlie is.

"You don't know who Charlie is?" Joel responds, winking at the adults in his hospital room. "Well, you better find out. I'm counting on you."

It's a simple exchange that tells a lot about the circumstances of Joel Gomez's new life. Even in his debilitated condition, the Wheaton native displays the sense of humor his family always has known him for. He finds his close family relationship to be his greatest inspiration - but he often is their strength, too.

Read the whole article >>>

Posted by Critt Jarvis at 10:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Thanks, Christine.

Christine is a fan of Vince Vaughn and keeps a blog.

Here's her mention of Vince in Iraq, with my comment to Vince, of course.

Posted by Critt Jarvis at 06:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack