Dispatches from Iraq

Reading “Dispatches from Iraq” brought a large sense of remorse for the courageous men and women who are in the Middle East fighting for the wellbeing of our nation. The experiences that these soldiers have documented remind me of the constant dangers they must endure on a daily basis. The location of these soldiers does not guarantee them a “safe zone” by any means. They constantly have to be aware of their surroundings and instantly react to any slight chance of possible danger. I can only imagine how difficult it must be living in constant awareness that there may not be a tomorrow. In the passage, Commander Edward W. Jewell writes “On deck is a different world. For safety we are on the “darken ship” status now. This means no external light, and all windows are covered to block transmission. The goal is to make the ship invisible or nearly so to evildoers trying to locate the ship in the dark” (326).  To insure their safety, the soldiers must always be a step ahead of the enemy.

            An additional element that completely bottled my mind was the fact that many of these soldiers have tolerated all these traumatic experiences for such a long period of time; they become accepting of their surroundings. Clinical psychologist Captain Lisa R, Blackman writes “It was as if they didn’t remember how hard and unusual it is to be at war. They’re used to the danger” (330). Funerals become part of the daily routine and the only way to cope with this ill-fated circumstance is to accept it. The soldiers do not only have to suffer from physical pain, but they also undergo psychological distress. As a result of war, the soldiers return home suffering from Depression and other war-related disorders. War redefines the meaning of a normal life. The significance of peace becomes nonexistent. 

Reading these documentations from the soldiers at war flooded me with guilt. We take so much for granted. For instance, although we are not guaranteed a tomorrow, unlike the soldiers, we expect that we will wake the next morning.   We have easy access to heat when the weather becomes cold and air conditioning when it becomes hot. If we want water, we can simply turn a knob and lo and behold, running water! We can walk out of the house without fearing that we will be attacked. All these luxuries go unnoticed. The simple fact that these soldiers put their lives in jeopardy in every way, shape and form for the greater good of the nation, is the flawless example of heroism.