2/11/2006
There are no men in black here
American Soldier says,
There are no men in black here. This area that I am in is a slum hole. Some areas are built up like shacks upon shacks. Hidden nooks and holes in many of the walls for snipers to take pop shots at you. The roads are all tore up from IED’s of old or recent explosions. Every turn you take is a turn you take with ease. You turn the corner and a trash mound could be a hidden IED within it. The people look at you with such hate. Where is the winning of the hearts and minds? The children wave and we wave back. With any luck they will see that we have tried to help their people. We pass by and they yell out and chase the vehicles and cry out “mistah mistah football….candy.” Sometimes we throw something from the turret. The gunner always vigilant and on guard but will give the occasional smile and wave to the future of Iraq.
Cars on the roads pull to the side and put on their 4 way blinkers as a sign that they understand you are passing by. We often get cars that will refuse and we utilize our escalation of force. Typically they stop but others try to test us. The crack of a .50 caliber machine gun round whizzing past them usually does the trick.
The men look at you like you are dirt. We look upon them with the same respect, never giving into their stares. We stand ready to fight, as we always come to this gun fight with knives, small arms, machine guns, pyro and other select death delivering devices. When we do fight we fight to survive. In this area there is no such thing as surrender for these people. They want to kill you and that is no joke.
The warriors that I fight with are war hardened and some have seen the worst of humanity just as I have seen. Staring down the barrel or through a scope and acquiring a target is old hat now. We have been placed in a war that takes our brothers from us. Every mission is different than the last and we ensure and do what we have to do to come back into the wire safely. Sometimes we all don’t make it back but we will still stand with the strength to go back outside the wire the very next day.
Many nights I have watched the sunset fall in this land of turmoil. I have seen the beauty here and I have seen the hope of the people. We have a very long road before the sun will set in peace here. I sometimes think as the sun goes down what will become of this place. Long after we do leave here, will these children make a difference or fall into the same footsteps of their fathers, brothers or uncles before them? I would only hope that the children I have seen will persevere. With any luck they will build their squander huts into houses. They will cover the holes of their kin’s death devices. I would hope that they will respect their woman as we do in America.
I read in the news about the things happening in the US and I think that the subtle bickering that the left and right is miniscule compared to the issues that Iraq has right now. Will there be a day when the Iraqi people will have nothing better to do than argue about the things that we as Americans have so much time to debate about?
The enemy is all around. They are the ones that look at you with such hateful eyes. They are the fathers of the children who love you. They lurk in shadows or are the ones that will sell you Chai. They will fight you with masks or without. After the fight they will go back to their order of business just as we do. They will regroup just as we do. They will prepare for another day of fighting just as we do. What are we truly fighting and why I ask myself? I am sure they feel the pain of loss just as we do when we lose a fellow warrior. Make no mistake about it, I am not putting them on the same level as US Soldiers but they must think in a similar fashion when the fight is done and the sun finally sets or rises for that day.
I sit here in the middle of a dangerous land and the familiar sound of a chopper coming in to deliver yet another casualty not to far from my room. I hope that soldier will be ok. You never know but it is a reminder of the war just outside the wire.
A land in turmoil and fighters on both ends prepare for yet another day of missions. I live for the fight now. It is all I have. I don’t count the days until I go home. I prepare within the hours leading up to the next mission. My day is segmented and I live for those blocks of hours. I can’t be optimistic when I go outside the wire. I have seen the battles and have endured the losses. I do my best and have no doubt my soldiers do as well. They have proven it but sometimes all the fighting and training still ends with a loss.
There are no heroes here; we just do what it takes to come back alive. Some get medals and some will never see them. Medals are nothing more than a reminder of the day in which you did something that you have been doing all along, surviving.
The man in black is a myth
Filed under: General, Mobilized
57 Responses to “There are no men in black here”
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Good to hear from you AS - hang in there. We are standing with you all the way… u are all in our prayers.
Keep Strong AS. Its good to hear your voice again. Thank you for loving our country so much that you would risk it all for us. I echo Kat’s words ‘we are standing with you all the way’. You and your brave wife are in my prayers. Heaven keep you safe.
AS, you are a True American Hero. It is men such as yourself I tell my sons about.
The “Left” and “Right” types are just little boys trying to play at big boy games. I get embarrassed as an American at how childish they act sometimes. Our Military is who I tell my sons to pattern their footsteps after. Honor, Pride and Selflessness is what America is all about. Thank you for providing a “Hero” for my sons.
Your whole unit is in my prayers. If there is anything I can do for you or any of them please don’t hesitate to let me know. Allow me to give back a little of what you all give me.
Saturday Links
Enigma sends the link to a Power Line update about Jessica Clements…looks like she’ll be on 60 Minutes on Sunday. American Soldier has finally posted an update from Iraq - No Men In Black. More to follow… Go here to
Dear American Soldier,
Thank you for your sincere honesty in expressing your feelings for all to see.My son spent 15 months in Iraq.I know he had many of your same thoughts.There is no magic answer for the effects of war on the fighting man.I know your heart is good and noble.My family and I pray each day for you and all our dedicated soldiers.May God continue to watch over you with special care.We love you all.
Sincerely,
Barbara Meaney
American Soldier,
I think about you, and your fellow troops and the things you have put up with, every single day. Thank you for sharing with us. It helps us have a better idea (as we can never really know) and I hope it helps you to write it down, get it out some. Prayers are yours nightly, for you all and your families at home. Thank God for the children, if they give you all hope. KNOW that we’re out here for you, and willing your safe return. We do love you guys! God bless our troops.
Dear Sir, You sure sound like a hero to me. God bless you and keep you safe for your family. I hope that you guys don’t spend too much time listening to our weaselly politicians fighting for votes, they make us sick here at home, God only knows what they do to troop morale. We love you guys and what you are fighting for more than words can say, you are in our hearts and thoughts 24 hours a day.
You are making a huge difference over there. The only thing these Islamofascists understand is a show of force and strength. You guys are fighting for us over there and we will continue to fight for you here at home, it’s the best we can do. Thankyou.
It is the heart and soul from a warrior that posts. God bless. Words seem so inadequate now. But you have my respect and would cover your back any day.
AS,
I think about all of you serving over there every day. I so respect and am in awe of your commitment to a cause greater than youself.
You are the true heroes. To say thanks seems so inadequate. Suffice to say you are in my prayers daily-I salute you and every person who serves! Stay safe and thanks for allowing us to journey along with you.
God bless you. Praying for you all. Do you think of yourselves as brave? You all are such amazing people, I don’t even know what to say sometimes. Thank you. You really are part of the solution.
Always grateful,
Donna
AS,
I echo the words above and I “thank you so very much” for being over there for me and for this country. You are truly making a difference in the lives of our people as well as the Iraqi people.
Those people with hate filled eyes have been taught from birth to hate you and us. They are sooo misguided and have been duped into believing that you and I are the enemy. People who teach such trash will one day have to account for what they have taught these people.
Take care of yourself AS. You are surely in my prayers each day as is your family and all of our troops!
May God Bless you and keep you and I know that he is and will!!
Thank you for the post. Happy Valentine’s Day from your supporters in the USA.
God bless and keep you all safe.
Yep, ditto…happy Valentines day!
Y’all out there serving our country are the HEART of America - without y’all, we’d be…well, in really sorry shape, to say the least! 
Thank You and your fellow Warriors for facing and defeating those evil bastards in their own streets. Those of us that understand the threat to our freedom and way of life are very grateful. Here’s some thank you poems: http:www.forgottensoldiers.org/poems_4_soldiers.shtml
Ooo I freakin love this piece! And I love it even more in that I now see exacty what you see…I feel exactly what you feel…it’s now more real than ever before and I am loving every minute outside the wire where I can just hope and pray that a simple wave or smile to a small child will help in some way to brighten the future of this place.
ps. I’m jealous that they allow you all to use the fiddy as a warning weapon…I have to stick to eency weency 5.56 rounds and kick up a lil dirt next to the muther. In truth…I don’t thiink I’ll even fire a full can of .50 this year. Maybe that’s a good thing.
Yer still an inspiration to this lower enlisted!
“The only way, is all the way!!”
Holy crap dude! Well written and very intense. Keep the faith.
I have seen life on the other side of the world and it does make our (America) problems seem very petty and insignificant, but at the same time it reminds you how great America is. Too bad most people over there do not have the foresight to see how great their country could be…
I am glad you seem to start understanding that the bad guys are not always bad, and that the good guys are not always good. People who fight for their country, their beliefs, their families, their homes, their dignity deserve a little respect. Even when we don’t like them. In the end, leaving them alone might be the only right thing to do…
I have been reading extensive reports of soldiers getting sick and dieing from inhaling uranium particles from DU munitions in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans. There are now over 500,000 disabled vets from GWI who suffer from exposure to this.
Are soldiers aware of this danger?
Vets can get a FREE EDUCATIONAL DVD featuring Reserve Major Doug Rokke who was in charge of cleaning up GWI battlefields for the US Army and of writing the US Army’s manual on procedures for safe handling of these munitions. Major Rokke and his entire team of fifteen scientists were exposed to DU munitions particles and have either died or become sick from their exposure, despite using the best protective gear the world can offer. His conclusion; there are no safe means of handling these weapons or effective treatments for those exposed.
If you are a vet and would like a free DVD please fax your name, address, and DD214 Form to: (573) 378-5998 or mail duplicate DD214 to: Veteran’s DVD - P.O. Box 85 - Versailles, MO 65084
Here you will find a trailor for the video “Beyond Treason.” [http://www.beyondtreason.com/media/beyond_treason.wmv]
NOTE: “Beyond Treason” is not being sold or shipped internationally at this time. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Stay strong partner, and realize what you are fighting for will and does make a difference in the people around you.
Keep the Faith, AS. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Stay safe & Godspeed!
So good to hear from you!! As always, another thought provoking and touching post. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us, AS!!
All I can say is I’m sorry. And keep your head up while continuing to try to make the best of a bad situation.
Your country appreciates your sacrifice and the sacrifices of your family.
AS thank you for telling us about how it is where you are and how you are doing. Thank you with all my heart for serving our country. I love how you share about how things are there where you are. Everyday I thank God for men like you, for you
and not only pray for your safety but also that you always know how much you are appreciated!!!!
AS,
Well written, son. You keep on doing what you are doing. You are part of the best trained, best equipped, and most moral fighting force in history. There isn’t an organization in the world that can do what you and your shipmates are doing to improve the world. You guys are better than the Red Cross, CARE, or the UN at eliminating injustice and teaching people everywhere to stand on their own two feet and take charge of their own civilization.
Idiots like Albatroz and BAMN above are with us forever. But Men like you and your troops only come along when we need them. And we need you now.
Just because a goal like changing the Muslim world for the better, and eliminating terrorism is difficult to achieve doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be trying to make those changes. If things were easy, we’d be using the Girl Scouts.
You and your mates are the instrument of that change. Don’t lower your eyes when you look at the haters. You look right back at them and let them know we aren’t afraid of their hatred. We will fight them until their country and our country is free and safe or we will kill them and anyone else who comes along with their attitude.
The country is proud of you, and we understand it is not a pleasant job, but it must be done. And only Men like you, doing your duty, can make it happen. God bless you all. Stay alert, and come home safe to us when your job is done.
Subsunk
Subsunk,
I would love to get into an argument with you about the merits of this war, but the AS has the habit of erasing comments he doesn’t like, so it isn’t worth the bother. However I would like to ask you whether Abu Ghraib and the events which took place there are part of your plan to bring democracy and freedom to Iraq. (I hope AS is in a sufficiently good mood to allow this one…)
stay strong and hang in there soldier. We’re all so proud of what you and all of our troops serving. We’re all praying for you back home.
Love your writing. Almost as good as “My War”. Check the book out.
Beloved American Soldiers -
Everyday in all parts of the world, we all stand one heartbeat away from eternity. But you fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, grandsons, grandaughters, uncles, aunts, and cousins, (whew!) all stand on foreign soil so far away from home. I’m only going to take a minute here and share my precious, tried and true motto with you, and pray that you never forget it………….”JESUS SAVES!”
That means here and now and that also means forever…….as in eternity. God love you, and God bless you over there and your’s back here.
Thank you in countless ways for defending freedom with your life. Blessings from Ohio - Ron and Shirley Hunter
Great read, AS. I hope the morale is high with your men, and that you are feeling as good as you should be for the work that you do. It’s easy for the politicians to talk the talk, but it’s another thing to be the soldier that walks the walk.
Albatroz - Put a cork in yer piehole. We come here to support AS, not to debate liberal trolls.
Hey As, so glad to see your post. I thank Ms. AS for her updates. I think she is a national treasure! You guys are doing a terrific job. Don’t ever let anyone make you think otherwise. As for the rabble at home, well the home front is our responsibility. We all must make sacrifices.
You just take care of yourself and the same for the buddies. Let us know if you guys need anything. You all have our prayers and support. God Bless and keep safe. Thank you for a job well done!
Well AS, as a “trailer park hillbilly” I feel blessed to have you protecting all that America stands for. I thank The Good Lord everyday for men like you. Take care and God Bless You.
Ditto to what devildog and ~K say — this “trailer park hillbilly” is DANG proud of you and your buddies and everything y’all do on our behalf!!!!!!!!
Found this on the net, and wanted to share:
~ Prayer for Our Soldiers ~
O Lord, to you we bring our plea,
We humbly ask on bended knee,
We pray that You would be a shield,
That around our soldiers, evils yield.
We pray that from each new day’s start,
You’d bless them with a fearless heart.
We know that there’s a time for war,
Lord, Bless this cause they’re fighting for.
Help them bravely fight the fight,
Guide them always with Your might.
Be there Lord, when times grow lonely,
Help them feel Your Spirit only.
Lift them up and draw them near,
Kiss away each salty tear.
Hold them close ’til there’s no doubt
Of what Your Love is all about.
Guard their feet on rocky trails,
Guard their minds, so they’ll not fail.
We pray that not one weapon prospers,
And that no act of terror fosters,
Against our beloved soldiers here,
For Oh Sweet Lord, we hold them dear!
For Mark Allen Frye
By Sharon Frye © 1-8-02
This brought tears to my eyes, thinking of what all of you face every day. Not the first time! Can we send you enough love and support to help give you strength to get up day after day to do the same thing every day? How do we help you deal with the losses of friends and personal sacrifices? I feel so inadequate. Please know that you have a piece of my heart. God bless you and keep you safe until you’re back in the land of the free, kept free by you, the brave.
Hi AS - haven’t been by for awhile. Good to know you’re still kickin and smart n sassy. Hmm. That sassy may not have been gender correct, maybe smarta%% would be better.
Hope you are doin’ ok - you are in our prayers!
Great post, once again. We are so proud of you guys. Don’t forget there are many people back home who are thinking of and praying for everyone over there every day.
Hang in there.
I hope America wins the war and gets out of Iraq the sooner possible. I can’t accept the fact that many young people must die in Iraq. Italians support American troops and will always remember what USA did for us during the Second World War.
God bless America ( the best country in the world!!!)
David Simone
Dear AS, I am told that all wars approach that point when the public opinion can undermine what the soldiers are doing on the ground. Given the stakes, leaving the country with some form of a stable, democratic government with staying power, what we say over here matters more than we can understand.
Saying that, even as a liberal, I am annoyed by the crossfire called ‘public discourse’ that oversimplifies this situation: how America got there, what we’re doing there, and what our military’s mission is or what it should be. I’ve opposed the path to Iraq since 2002 but now I am opposed to the ‘just leave now’ camp. Sitting here, far away from the danger you must face down daily, pondering this relationship of countrymen and their soldiers, is a bystander’s luxury. Only one thought stays, that you guys are so clearly the best and brightest and will take your experience home to help this nation get a grip on itself, to bring a dose of reality to the debate.
The Tuesday after the Week Before
News and Views from last weeks Blogs and News
— I think I’ll get one of these Bumper Stickers, or maybe one of these Buttons.
— Bin Laden and Al Zarqawi say they will not be taken alive… GOOD!
— Read what American Sol…
I just had to tell you Thanks and that if you can see the smile of those children, and if you can touch the heart of them, then maybe, just maybe, we can see that nation change. Those children can see your hearts, and that is why they come to you. Maybe they see a better future, they see hope. Keep up the good work!
Hang in there AS! You are in our prayers daily!!
It´s so hard to see how stupid some divisions are.
How stupid and worthless is to argue about naive ideas which have no real value but for people who care about them.
AS, you are in the real thing, fighting for something really true.
Fighting for something any person could believe.
Hope God shows you and your boys the way to get the job done and come back home safe.
I wish i was there with you guys with a shitty M-16A2 on my hands to cover your butts when things get bad. Who knows…
Howdy - just thought I’d pop by & say hi, & let ya know you are in our prayers & thoughts always - and same for you, Mrs. A.S. & all the little “mini-soldiers” you got runnin’ around!!!!
Hey! Glad to see your site back up and running! A couple of days I couldn’t get access to it!
Anyway, God Bless you AS and your family!!
I second that Donna, glad to see it up and running again.
God Bless AS, and Mrs. Prayers are, as always, headed your way.
Hang in the AS, the thoughts and prayers of my entire family are with you and yours. Thank you for standing in the gap and being will to make the ultimate sacrifice so we may live the life of freedom and liberty we so enjoy.
God bless!
The site was down due to the Database disc going bad on the hosting server.
Just checking on you and the family AS. Hope all is well with you all.
Hey AS….
Hoping you’re ok, and sending warm wishes and prayers your way.
Thanks for the sensitive observations and right thinking. I can only say that I firmly pray that you and others like you maintain. We’ll need you all in the decades to come. Civilization is a very thin veneer
over the mass of humanity, and many folks live happily because a few make the sacrifices to maintain it. As a Nam vet I believe that not as many, outside the usual “hate America” and “hate Bush” groups, individuals now are as ready to embrace the utopian silliness of the sixties. Perhaps the collapse of the Soviet experiment sobered many, or the fact that Viet Nam was set back into the dark ages for thirty years after our pullout. But I see a much greater sense of reality, and support for what you are doing over there…what must be done. God bless.
hey AS, hope your doing ok. hang in there soldier.
Have a look at this:
Vehicles Restricted in Baghdad Amid Iraqi Violence
Again, just checking on you and your family. Will keep you all in my prayers. God bless. Thank you for your sacrifice!
PROTECT YOURSELVES AND EACH OTHER. DO IT WITH HONOR. DESTROY YOUR ENEMY. ALWAYS THINKING OF YOU! AMERICAN
REALLY GOOD OBSERVATIONS. I WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP ALL IN MY PRAYERS. I ADMIRE YOU ALL MORE THAN YOU WILL KNOW. CAN I SEND ANYTHING OVER YOUR WAY?NAME IT, AND WHERE IT GOES. CHUCKTOWN PATRIOT
Ya my cuz has been blown up twice and breatheed in nerve gas and he still wonts back in. i will never completely understand it till i join some day.all i got to say is just remember what your fight ing for and never forget your hopes its your fuel.
I respect and admire each and everyone of you….you are all true American Hero’s.