We landed five hours ago. Holy hell its so damn hot here. And all I see is the freakin’ desert. This is ridiculous. Even though it seemed like hell I kept my cool and just got this wave of worry that flowed across me. I thought about my son. How I may never see him again. I almost started to cry on the spot. I fought the tears back. And then I went to play some basketball with some guys.

The basketball game was pretty crazy. First off the heat and all that. Then those guys we’re good. I was wondering if they were fighting the war or just playing god damn basketball. After the game, which my team lost, my CO told us to grab our gear. I guess it’s time for a patrol. My first bit of ground action. I’m getting this weird chill again. And this time my son didn’t even come to mind. I just thought how I might have to end someone’s life if we get a contact. I hoped we didn’t as we moved out.

The patrol was rather interesting. It took us right into this village. Something in Arabic so I don’t give a damn of what it is. When we were leaving the town Kawasaki spotted something and right when he started to tell the company a sniper got him right in the neck. As he fell the ground around him was painted red for what in my mind will be forever. I hit the ground and the bullets start flying around me in what seems like every inch of the world. I hear someone in the distance yell “RPG!” I just hold onto my helmet and hope that it won’t get to me. When I get in situations like this I am the biggest coward. I forget about ever being cocky and just hope I live. Then my training kicks in. I crouch run behind this low wall that divided two houses. When I get there 5 friendlies are there. I have a quick sigh of relief then I scan the area where the bullets are coming from. I find a target and put a round right in his chest. He falls and so does my heart.

The rounds keep flying by me. And I tell my buddy next to me to call in an airstrike. He just tells me he needs an officer to do that. Sometimes I hate the god damn chain of command. I realize my CO is 100 yards from me. And he is running away. I guess even the most experienced commanders still have fears. I still tell my comrades to suppress the enemy so I can run back. After one clip of firing they are suppressed so I take the longest run in my life. The commander calls me over for quick brief. “What do you want me to do soldier?”, said the commander in a rush to tone. “We need some god damn planes in here now!” he looks me and tells me OK son of get them here now. I run back to the men to tell them the news. But by the time I get there are many have died. I had never seen such carnage in all of my days. This has made me a changed man forever.

In the distance I hear the sound of jet. I had never heard anything more beautiful in my life. As they came closer I also felt my mortality extending. I fail to realize that my commander had told them that their strike range danger close. I guess he just doesn’t give a damn about our lives. That makes me so damn pissed off, I don’t know what the hell do now. I have this urge to go punch when the face. But I do know about will cause me more pain in the end that will ever cause him. The jets are getting closer and closer. I see them on the distance there the old Viper. God damn I love those freakin’ planes. I see three of them in the formation drop a 2000 pound bomb. Damn those things make a big thud when they hit. I’d never felt such a big a concussion in my life. I guess it was easier dropping the bombs instead of being on the receiving end. An instant I see the enemy turn into a million a tiny pieces. That is the most carnage I’ve ever seen.