from http://cryptome.org/
Writing has always been an outlet for me. Growing up, I never felt comfortable expressing my feelings- I still sometimes feel uncomfortable. The only difference now is I don’t care. I’m going to be who I am, because I’ve earned my place. I’m proud of who I am.
In war, medics are forced to deal with things that others would turn away from. Whether it’s watching the life fade from someone’s eyes or enduring the vomit inducing smell of charred skin, medics have to stand strong. You see, medics have a solemn pact that we have made with the infantrymen, scouts, tankers… combat troops who protect us: If you are brave in the face of the enemy, medics will be brave in the face of the Grim Reaper.
Neither one of us can let down our guards
Like many who went into Iraq in 2003, I truly believed that we were freeing Iraqis, we were making their lives better. Some might think this to be naïve. Some can’t believe that Iraqis would have ever welcomed us as liberators.
Here’s the truth: We believed and Iraqis welcomed us as liberators.
Unfortunately as our welcome wore itself out, so too did our belief.
At least my belief did.
So I resorted to the one thing that had served me so well in the past, the pen. This is what I wrote on September 9, 2003.
R.S.V.P.
Urgently I request a reply
For I am told that I fight for freedom
And tomorrow I may die
Can someone explain why we are here
Maybe a truthful politician
Will make it quite clear
I’m told that I fight for democracy
But it doesn’t seem that way to me
When Neighborhood Councils resemble oligarchies
The war has been over since May the first
“the end of major hostilities”
Yet how many since have been laid to rest in the dirt
I ask this with complete sincerity
Are we here just as target practice
Or to give Iraq its liberty
Can someone relieve my apprehension
The Senate, the House, the President
And honestly answer this question
The whole nation demands a reply
Sons, daughters, husbands, and wives are fighting
and tomorrow we may die.
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