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Show Soldiers recall experiences in Iraq "I got two months into and the school completely tuition. The teacher: were I got back and the college way." By ROY PYATT features editor | The Signpost Two years ago, as American and coalition troops assembled and waited in Kuwait and on naval vessels in the Gulf, most Americans watched Operation Iraqi Freedom begin on their televisions. By the time President Bush warned Saddam Hussein and his sons to leave Iraq or face "military conflict," Weber State University student and Marine Corporal Matt Topham was on his way to war. Topham received a call from his commanding officer on an early Tuesday morning. By noon, he had checked out of school, returned his books, packed his bags and was on his way. He was only months away from finishing his eight-year commitment to the U.S. Marine Corps. "I got two months into the semester and the school completely refunded all tuition," Topham said. "The teachers were phenomenal. I got back and the college was the same way." Topham saw action during the initial invasion. While it was the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force's responsibility to fight its way directly to Baghdad and effect the takeover of Hussein's government, Topham the semester refunded all phenomenal. was the same - Matt Topham, WSU senior and former Marine WSU student Matt Topham (upper left) holds the flag and poses for a picture with Charlie Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion attached to Task Force Tarawa. This is the main group of men Topham worked with in Iraq. The photo was taken in late spring 2003 near the Iraq/Iran border. Soldiers were not allowed to hang flags in the citries because they were a liberating force, not a conquering one. was assigned to Charlie Company 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and it was their job to help liberate the cities along the way. Al Kut was one of the initial cities he entered. The sight of all the poor civilians is still a vivid memory. "The people who lived there were living under a dictatorship that was so brutal it wasn't even funny," Topham said. Topham is often frustrated with the way that some people view the war. "A lot of people are putting down the whole conflict because we didn't find a lot of WMDs," Topham said. to some. But because of the condition Topham said that he served of the Iraqi people, Topham in a city where the Marines believes that going to war was were popular with the civilians. the right thing, despite war A week or so after he left the being an unfortunate way to city, however, he saw a news settle any conflict. report that sounded as if that WSU freshman Brian city's civilians didn't want the Mittendorf, who served in Americans there. Iraq, feels the same way as "I thought, 'I was just there; Topham. that's not true,'" Topham said. "I've heard the rumors Sgt. Scott Smith, a WSU that we're just out for the oil," student and Marine, said that Mittendorf said. "The media the war has both good and bad doesn't show the good we do. I points. Overall, however, "It's honestly believe that we needed been a great experience," Smith to be over there. We're doing said. "I'd do it again." good." Mittendorf and Topham are In Mittendorf's opinion, also glad to have served their many Iraqis are glad the country, yet glad that their coalition forces have overthrown military service is over. Saddam's regime. "We had to do it," Topham "There were a lot of people said. "1 wouldn't change it, who didn't want us there," because it had to be done." Mittendorf said, "but a lot welcomed us." You can leave a message for The media's coverage of the reporter Roy Pyatt by calling war has also appeared biased 626-762/. Come home soon on Operation Iraqi Freedom ByJESICAMEDELUN correspondent | The Signpost It's 3 a.m. and the heat coming from my 3-year-old son's body is almost unbearable. I get up, frustrated that I haven't thought of a thermometer since we moved into the new house. As I dig through the drawers, the realization starts to hit me that I am going to have to get to the store, fever-laden 3-yearold in tow. No, I am not a single mother; as a matter of fact I am quite happily married - well, sort of. My husband, Rey, serves in the United States Army and is currently in Iraq, where he has been away for 19 months. His first 11 months he served in Korea, but 45 days before he was to return home, the Army sent him to Iraq for one more year. As the two-year anniversary of Iraq settles upon us, I find myself dealing with mixed emotions. I hate Rey being so far from home: He's missed his son's second and third birthdays and we aren't sure he'll be home for his fourth. I do support our efforts in Iraq, though, and Rey is the reason for that. While most' of the United States hears of the devastation and the resistance, Rey always informs me of By MIKAELA BAILEY correspondent | The Signpost After two years of war, Weber State University students listen for news from Iraq. When the war first started, more people paid attention to what was going on. Derek Engstrom, WSU sophomore, said that he followed U.S. military progress when the war started. "I followed what was going on at first because the war was new to me," Soldiers in Iraq do weapons training. The War in Iraq began Mar. 20, 2003. Engstrom said. "I had never seen our country in war, and it was very exciting, my days with stories of soldiers who many wars, wars that have had a iot but scary." hand out toys and candy to orphans, less technology than we have today. My Robert Scheifl, WSU freshman, said men who volunteer to be a part of the husband calls home or e-mails almost he watched the news when the war first Iraqi army and women who are finally every day, and I get letters about three started. free. times a week. "I watched because I wanted to know He constantly assures me that the If I had to endure what women went what was going to happen and because insurgents' technology is from the 18th through in Vietnam, never knowing, my dad is in the Air Force Reserve, and I century and thaf they have no clue going weeks without correspondence, was worried that he was going to have to where their mortars hit. Rey is always then maybe I wouldn't be so strong. go over there," Scheifl said. a rock when I ask him about coming Then again, maybe I would be Some WSU students are affected home; it's never been if, it'^always been stronger. Every time we hit the hard by the war because they are going to when. •$" road I find that I am pushed to be a spend time in Iraq or someone they People ask me how I do it. I want to u tell them, Hov\rcould I not?" Women P.JTT,^ = * r j * r/T^^rtw w^Mm^r*. |
