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Commentary by Rob Biron
Special to the Herald/Review
THESE ARE journal entries from U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Rob Biron from his deployment to Iraq. He is a nurse serving in a civil affairs unit. This is the second of an occasional series from the Sierra Vista resident. The first entries were published Sept. 23.
Feb. 16
Well, after many months of civil affairs school, IED training, reacting to mortar fire, snipers, chemical attacks, learning Iraqi culture and language, and so many other basic Army drills too numerous to count, I leave for Iraq from Kuwait this evening.
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I will still be stationed in the Babil province in a place called Al-Hillah. I will be in charge of all the reconstruction projects for that region, along with ensuring payment to the local Iraqi construction workers. I have been told the area is fairly safe. However, it is still a combat zone; therefore, I will be on my toes about everything.
I will be out of the communication loop for a while until I get settled in at my final destination. Please keep myself and the rest of the service members in your daily prayers.
I do not fight because I hate those in front of me. It is because I love who is behind me.
Remember, freedom is never free.
March 26
Hi everyone, here is my latest journal entry. If you have heard reports of heavy fighting going on here at Hillah, that is correct. So far it has not spilled into our small compound. However, we are kept on alert a lot of the time. But just know that at this time we are OK.
History will judge us
I keep hearing the term “History will judge us.” I believe the real question should be “How will history judge us?”
History is a story that cannot be changed. Many have tried, but the truth is, history can only be viewed differently. We, the United States of America, are trying to help the country of Iraq rebuild an economy and pull it out of turmoil. I believe we can only do this if Iraq allows it to happen.
History will judge us by how democratic the government becomes, not if the leader is Sunni or Shiite. History will judge us by how safe it is to travel in Iraq, not by what travel means you use, or how fast you get there. History will judge us by how fast some politician can redeploy us back from Iraq and Afghanistan to the states, not if we left the country a stable and safe place to live.
History will judge us by how many Iraqi families are able to feed and clothe their families, not that the food and clothing came from small churches all over the United States.
History will judge us by how many “feel good” projects we do, not that the U.S. military and the State Department assisted in building 250 neighborhood care clinics for treating the sick and terminally ill. History will judge us by how many coalition forces were killed, not how many of their lives were saved by improved equipment and the heroic acts of medics and combat lifesaver trained soldiers.
In everything we say or do in Iraq, history will judge us right or wrong. I would like to say everything that is done in Iraq is done for the right thing. It is our duty to help our neighbors. It is an honor to assist a government in achieving democracy it has not known in a long time, and it is the love that the Iraqi people have for their country why we help to build Iraq. In everything we do, history will judge us.
April 3
Two planes, two destinations
Walking off the large cargo plane at Baghdad International AirPort (BIAP) in Iraq was a strange and eerie feeling. Some of the soldiers with me who had been here before stated they recognized that ever lingering burnt smell.
One of them commented, “That smell of Iraq, it’s like I never left.”
I am hoping not to have the same experience in the future. We are the new guys “down range.” Boots on the ground means our time in Iraq has officially started. Yippee, nine more months to go.
On the next tarmac was another cargo plane. On this plane were soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines waiting to be sent home. Or at least I think they were from all the military services. American flags were draped over coffins that were being loaded onto the plane.
As I walked down the runway, along the flight line and into the terminal, the only thing you could hear was the rotors of the Hueys and BlackHawk helicopters. Those American heroes were heading home, but their family reunion would not be a joyous one.
Some of them died performing security sweeps of towns and villages the Iraqi Army and Police would not venture into. Others died at the hands of cowards who hide bombs on the side of the road waiting for a convoy to pass. And others died by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
On my plane trip to BIAP from Kuwait, there were conversations of personal and professional nature. Some talked about their upcoming missions, while others just laid their heads back and listened to their iPods and MP3 players. Most of the soldiers on the cargo plane had never before been to Iraq. Others have been deployed two, three and four times. I believe at this time in our deployment, none of us are thinking that we won’t return home safe and sound.
Remembering the second plane there on the runway made me think hard why we are here in Iraq. I was not able to answer that question until recently. It came after talking to many local Iraqi citizens. I can honestly say that I have made lifelong friends with many of them. Interpreters Redd, Juan, Saif and Tom and Jerry are fun to be with, and I have learned many customs and courtesies of the Middle East.
I have to say that I am still getting used to being kissed on the cheeks by men upon greeting them. It is a sign of respect, and I am honored that this affection is shown toward me.
Dr. Murtada is an Iraqi orthopedic surgeon, previously in Saddam’s Army as a medical officer, who can no longer practice his trade because he spoke out against the previous regime. He has made many enemies who would rather see him dead. These are just a few of the people I have met who are risking their lives and their family’s lives to make Iraq a better place to live.
You have probably noted a theme that runs through my journal entries: the Iraqi people. Are not they the reason why we are here in this country? Iraq was the cradle of civilization once. Now, so much needs to be done to this country. In this civil affairs company, we assist the State Department in rebuilding Iraq. I am currently in the Babylon province of Iraq and in charge of refitting three local hospitals (one surgical, one medical, and one pediatric) with needed equipment. They are rundown, broken and just plain nasty.
Thank you so much for the letters and encouragement. Those here at the base in Babil really do appreciate the thoughts and kindness of those back home that support what we do. So often you only hear the bad things going on. From the United States to Iraq, I guess building 250 neighborhood medical care clinics where previously none existed does not count as news.
I ask each of you to get the word out. We are doing great things here. It is what we do best. It is what America does best.
CAPT. ROB BIRON is an Army Reserve nurse who is in Iraq. To contact him, send an e-mail to the Herald/Review at svhnews@transedge.com.
Alex wrote on Apr 29, 2008 6:21 AM: