So after completing our mission in Iraq, we've convoyed south to Kuwait. Instead of goin home right away, we get to "stay n play" so to speak. I was struck the other day, in the midst of formations and just overall surroundings, that this feels like being at NTC at Fort Irwin, CA. We arrive at Buerhing in July, spend a couple weeks there (like RUBA at NTC), head north into Iraq (the Sandbox) for our war games and field exercises, then rotate back into Buerhing (RUBA again) to prep our stuff to go home. It feels a little surreal. Like i'm not REALLY in the middle east. In Kuwait, there are no mortar attacks, Improvised Explosive Devices, improvised rockets, or people shooting at you. It's easy to get complacent here. Military bearing is KEY. We're in garrison, but still deployed. You've gotta remember to keep hands outta pockets, salute officers and then there are the bugles. Reveille, retreat, Taps, etc. JUST LIKE HOME.
So, the question gets asked to every soldier, whether its by family, friends, strangers, reporters, or each other: Was it worth it? And to me, the answer is always "Yes." In varying degrees, this conflict, this war, was worth the blood and sweat and tears that American service members gave. The lives laid down, opened up this region to democracy. Some people say "Well, it was better under Saddam." To them i say really? Power/electricity generation and distribution is 2x what it was PRIOR to the invasion. The sacrifices made by our soldiers and marines also have contributed, albeit out of necessity, to the medical community in ways previously unimagined. Tourniquets are being used in the private sector to save lives AND limbs, IV fluids like Hextend are being used on patients prior to arriving at a trauma room. Hextend boosts blood volume and blood volume only. Where normal saline will temporarily refill the blood vessels, by its neutral nature, it quickly is absorbed through osmosis into the intercellular spaces and into the surrounding cells, allowing the blood pressure to drop. Hextend stays in the blood stream, allowing less fluid to be used overall (avoiding dilution) and increasing the chances of the patient. Breakthroughs in artificial limbs, recognition and treatment of head injuries, ALL have occured because of the war. Negatives influencing the positives. Newton's Laws stripped down to humanity's level. For every action there is a reaction. in this case, for every negative (battlefield casualties) comes a positive (better treatments, training and skills that not only benefit future soldiers, but the entire civilian population as well).
So, again, was it worth it? Yes. But thats all i'll say about that. I know of people who aren't returning home alive, and i have close friends who are forever affected by that. But, how dare you try and say we accomplished nothing. That all our blood, sweat, tears, time and lives were all for naught.
To my brothers and sisters, HOOAH, OOHRAH and SEMPER FI!
