On This Memorial Day

As I lie in bed and close this Memorial Day, I find myself engrossed in unforgettable memories of those I had the honor and privilege to serve just over 3 years ago.   Memorial Day 2013 was the first time I had ever participated in a dignified transfer.  A dignified transfer is the process by which the remains of a fallen hero are transported back home to their final resting place.  I'll borrow an excerpt from my blog on that day...

"The flight line illuminated with runway lights as A-10s, Chinooks, and C-17s both landed and disappeared into the night.  But it was on particular C-130 that arrived, taxied, and halted amongst us, poised to receive its next delivery.  300 strong stood in formation as the procession drew near.  We were commanded to attention as the band initiated the ceremony.  Our tear-stained cheeks glistened in the moonlight, as the flag-draped casket made its way toward the bird.  It was escorted by 8 of this fallen warrior's comrades....honorable soldiers who never dreamt of filling this duty.  Tonight was his night....his night to return home".

Less than a month later, on 18 June, 4 Soldiers lost their lives during a rocket attack on Bagram Air Base....William Moody, Robert Ellis, Justin Johnson, and Ember Ault.  I was one of the first responders to the Emergency Room entry way known as Warriors Way.  Out here, you do whatever needs to be done, regardless of the circumstances.  I carried each of them through those doors, prepared them, and transferred them to mortuary affairs.  Never have I performed a duty that has touched me more than that one.  I am forever grateful to them for making the ultimate sacrifice for me.  http://bucytobagram.blogspot.com/2013/06/to-william-ember-robert-and-justin-i.html

Unfortunately in life, some of the most important lessons are learned during the most difficult times.  I alluded to this a little bit in my last post.  It's impossible to understand what it's like to hug your loved ones for what could be the last time, until you have to.  What was the last conversation you had with them?  Was it an argument?  Was it pleasant?  Was it the way you would want them to remember you?  If you died right now, would they know you loved them?  These 4 Soldiers taught me something that night that I will never forget.  It impacted my soul.  It changed the way I parent.  It changed the way I love.  It changed me as a father and as a person.  Each and every day we have with those we love, is a blessing.  We never know when the string of life will be cut.  Hug them.  Hold them.  Tell them you love them.  Please do not take it for granted.

So on this day, do more than celebrate the booze and brats.  Celebrate those who have died and given us the freedoms we enjoy.  Remember them.  Do something to honor them.  Here in Baghdad, I have the distinct privilege of serving those who are out in the fight everyday.  It's not glorious.  No bullets buzz my head (just the occasional rocket).  I'm no hero.  But I do what I can to make sure they have the medical care they need as fast as I can get them to it.  While Iraq is certainly no getaway destination, I love what I do.  I love being here.  I love my mission.  I love serving these warriors every single day.  I love knowing that my children can look at me with pride, and can go to school and brag to their friends that they have a dad who fights for this country.  A dad who's put his life on the line in Afghanistan and Iraq to fight for our freedoms.  Because.....'Murica

Here I Go Again...Round 2.....And A Lot Has Changed

As promised, and after incessant pestering from several (mainly 1 and you know who you are TDP) individual(s)….very much akin to the mosquito stuck in your tent that buzzes your head at night while camping….here is the inaugural entry into this deployment’s blog.

As you read through my entries you might notice the slightest use of facetious language and satire….I speak them fluently.  Some may call it sarcasm, but only do so because they don’t understand the difference.  Sarcasm is used with intent to harm.  I have no such intent.  If you are easily offended, I suggest you read somebody else’s blog (not facetious).  If you appreciate the ability to deflect situations through deliberate use of humor (many times inappropriate), then by all means read on.  I will point out several instances of its use in this entry (see above) to help first time readers better understand my application and use of this tactic.  For those who don’t speak it, it can be difficult to understand.  You might find yourself thinking, "is this dude for real?".  Coupling that with my RBF keeps people on their toes.

Most people who read this are fully aware that I am a man of few words, and one who really dislikes sharing feelings and exposing his vulnerabilities.  NEWS FLASH: I'm a bit of an isolationist.  Being around people really isn't my thing.

I find it much easier to participate in such nonsensical activities, like "feeling time", via written mediums.  Funny story and interesting side note on this topic….I went to breakfast with a lady and her 20 yr old daughter a few weeks before I deployed.  After the breakfast, daughter asked mother if English was my second language, basing her inquiry on my curt/short responses during our breakfast conversations.  Nope, I just see conversation much like escalation of force….minimum necessary to accomplish the objective.

Then and Now…..On 12 May 2013 I deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan, just 2 days shy of 3 years ago.  Over the past few days, I’ve been re-reading my entries from that blog (www.bucytobagram.blogspot.com).  It’s interesting to go back and relive various emotions from that deployment.  Today, many run parallel.  Many are non-existent….I’m a seasoned veteran now, right?  A few things have changed since then as you can see in the pictures below.  When I left on my last deployment, I had a wife.  When I returned, I had a dad to hug.  I guess the good news is, I can’t get divorced this time (not facetious…I really can’t get divorced again). 

Last night as I laid in my luxurious single bed nestled inside my 5-Star accommodations (facetious) and thinking about what to write, I flipped through all the pictures I took at Bagram, but mostly spent time reminiscing on the moments I walked through customs to the outstretched arms of my children, siblings, and parents.  Without fluency in the Adamic language, it is impossible to appropriately express those feelings.  As I hugged my children for the last time prior to this departure, the antithesis of what I felt upon my previous return was ever-present.  Until you have hugged your loved ones for what could be the last time ever, it is impossible to understand what that is like.  The reality is, that IS reality….fast forward 10 days to when we were narrowly missed by 4 incoming rockets intended to kill anyone within range.

Preparing for deployment this time was just as stressful as the last.  Not because of fear or anxiety of where I was heading, not because of the imminent threat of death, but because there is always so much to do.  But then again, when your job requires dog tags around your neck and fastened to your boot laces, can you really ever be prepared?  Work, house, lawn, legal, vehicles, bills, family…..trying to prepare everything to stand at parade rest for 5 months.  And even when you think everything is in order, it’s not.  Nothing makes projects a priority like the 11^th hour.  Luckily, my brother is taking care of my property while I’m away.  It’s a rough gig living in somebody’s house for free, with all the amenities you need, at the end of a 3 mile dirt road, on 4.5 acres of freedom, surrounded by wilderness and peace…..much like here at Union III (facetious).  I’ll post pictures in a later blog of this cement wall heavenly estate centrally located Satan’s playground (also facetious).  But other than that, it’s a great place.