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Well, I had some time and wanted to send out an update on how my week was. This past week in Iraq has shown me the widest range of emotions possible. I started my week flying on an Iraqi C130 wearing body armor and completely unkaware of what to expect. If you don't know a C130 is large military cargo plane that has fold down seats in the back, there is no beverage service and hearing protection is required! Upon arriving at our new destination we were assigned a tent and settled in for a week of long hours and dusty windy days. The accomidations were much nicer then my last tent, I had a desk, a chair and even a locker for my clothes, I felt like I had checked into the Marriott again. After a few days we began get into a groove the week was going great. Our first time off of work we were able to travel to the Great Ziggurat of Ur which is one of the oldest structures in the world and has some amazing history behind it, if you get time you should google it, the place is fascinating (Photos posted on myspace.) This was definately a high part of my week, it was such a surreal experience to walk up the steps of a temple that people had walked up more then 4000 years ago. Heading back to base I began to really reflect on my life and think about how small and insignificant I am in the grand scheme of things.
The next exciting event for the week was a low point for me and brought to the surface some feelings and emotions that I didn't expect. Being a bullrider I always felt that I am pretty brave and could stare death in the face and not think twice about it, boy was I wrong! I was walking down the street to drop off my clothes at the local laundary facility when I began hearing a very loud siren, I wasn't sure exactly what the siren meant or what course of action I needed to take. After a few seconds I began to see military personal heading to an area called a bunker (basicaly a concrete cube surrounded by sandbags, these bunkers are all over the base and I had walked by them many times.) I decided the best idea for me was to follow and take shelter with everyone else. As I entered the shelter the siren began again only this time it was followed by a very loud voice that kept repeating "We are under attack, We are under attack." Hearing this is when I really began to feel uncomfortable. I squated down on the cold concrete and felt that my hands and knees had begun to shake, this was an unusual sensation that I don't often feel. As the siren and voice stopped I just sat there waiting and wondering if the next sound I heard was going to be an explostion or gun fire, this was such a difficult and awkward feeling, something I hope I never have to endure again. Luckily and fortuneatly there was never an explostion or any sounds at all, in fact it was a deafining silence that I don't think I will ever forget only broken up by a voice stating "all clear, all clear." Some of the best words I think I have ever heard being shouted from a speaker. All of the soldiers casually strolled from the bunker and returned to buisness as usual, this is a common occurance for them, I don't know how they deal with this on a day to day basis, but I was not the same for several hours. I had to return to my tent and just sit for a long time, I had lost all ability to focus or concentrate on anything, my hands were still shaking and I felt my stomach turning. After all is said and done I was informed by several personal that it happens all the time and the chances of actually getting hit are very low, I guess in hind sight that makes me feel better, but at the time I was definately moved by the event.
That is all for now, it is time to get back to work. I will get more written down when I have the time. Right now I am going to finish some work and enjoy the beautiful sunday morning we are having today. God Bless all the military personal serving everywhere in the world to everyone else that reads this be thankfull for everything you have in your life.
Steven