I remember the old days of Xanga...when it was actually fun to blog. I retract that last statement. What I thought was FUN in 2003-2007 was actually pretty lame. I just looked it up...Most of it was just traces of internet stupidness on one page...until I did some searching, and found some letters that I have written home from 2003, the invasion of Iraq...
April 1st, 2003 "I don’t really remember when these events took place or exactly what day, I just know they happened. Days here are once again a blur. I have no idea how long I’ve been in combat in Iraq. Nor do I really care. All I know is that for each day that passes, it’s one day closer for me to be going home. Today, my tank is sitting atop of someone’s farm. We are once again the most forward element in Iraq. Our company was attached to regimental combat team 1 or 5, supposedly where SSgt Park is. But I can’t exactly go look for him in the mist of all these firefights. Days are long and hot. Insects flying around everywhere. Tremendously annoying. The dark night sky is constantly lit up by artillery fire, and small machine gun tracers fly through the night sky. Hopefully I can look back @ this when I get home and say it was a good experience. But until then, hope you all are taking care of yourselves. Someone please forward my letters to David Lee in Kentucky, and Phillip Jun in boot camp and my address also. Keep writing! Hopefully someday I’ll actually get the letters! I love you guys. Take care!
Semper Fidelis.
Cpl Cheng out."
Well, I guess I can look back now? It's been a good 8 years since that horrible night. I have completely forgotten about some of the experiences there. And I guess that's the worst part about it. I wrote that letter the day we found out that we actually lost a whole tank into the Euphrates river. No sleep, night movements, the race to Bagdad, and a tank missed the bridge and fell upside down... All 4 of my brethren lives perished...and here I am, sitting in Saudi Arabia, 8 years later, reading my letters from '03, and reliving the constant fighting, attacks, and hail of bullets like it was yesterday...
I can look back now, and say it's experiences like this that has made me who I am. I shall never forget my brothers in arms that weren't lucky enough to make it back with me. We did our job, as Marines, and did it well. And it has been my honor to serve with such an amazing company of warriors, each willing to take a bullet for the next guy. The brotherhood and self sacrifice I experienced in times of combat can never be explained, and words will do it no justice. I will bring this moment of reflection to an end, and be thankful for where I am, and what I'm doing. To the ones that never made it back, your sacrifice will never be forgotten, and I'm grateful to have been able to serve with you.
Time to search for Rainbows and Unicorns...
C, Out!
