OCR Text |
Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY MARCH 26, 2003 Feature -- Letters from our Troops Operation Iraqi Freedom Hey all, They call it crossing the burm. Huge gaps are torn in the defensive walls of dirt that have been pushed up around the camps and along the border and the United States war machine pours through in the transition from defensive to offensive op- erations. Welcome to Operation Iraqi Freedom. I think they chose the right name for the operation since in reality this really is more about the freedom of the Iraqi people than it is about the weapons of mass destruction, as legitimate as that is. It has been an interesting first few days. It is amaz- occupied. Sheer terror as the shock of an explosion jolted us all out of our sleep in the very early hours of the morning and we hurriedly tried to don chemical equipment in our dark tent. The sense of frustration and discomfort while sitting in complete chemical gear in a baking hot tent in the middle of the afternoon while sweat formed pools in the lenses of our gas masks and saturated our clothing. Foreboding as wave after wave of attack helicopters lifted from the pads of our base in formation and banked north across the Iraqi border. A disturbance deep in the soul as we heard of the first casualties and watched the medivac choppers land at the hospital pad on our base wondering who it is, and realizing we are not immune. And a deep burning anger as the news stations broadcast word of the treatment and possible execution of our fellow soldiers who had been taken pris- ing the range of emotions that I have run through as events have unfolded. Excitement as my first mission came out on very short notice before the war had even begun. Apprehension as we waited for the first strikes as the time limit imposed by President Bush ran out. Boredom as we waited in the rear with nothing to do but hang oner. out and try to keep ourselves It is hard to explain the An American Tradition By Hal Swift It's kind of an American tradition, I guess, , cuttin bullies down to size. And tellin the truth about their dirty deeds, that theyve covered up with lies. And, yeah, theres some folks disagree about our gettin involved But if we didnt, I gotta ask, how some problems would be resolved. In we paid no heed when Prussia made its play to become the ruler of all the world, until we had our say. Nineteen-Fourtee- n, ... We watched while Hitler rose to power, and Mussolini did the same. And we thought the war-lorwas maybe playin a game. ds . at- - 16 An from SGT Cristy Huggins tachment to and detachment from the events happening right here to us, but many of which are far enough from our view that they may as well be as far away from us as they are from e-m- ail was written by This We had gotten so used to the Cristy Huggins the night before near constant rumble of the ar- she was deployed to the Middle tillery practicing in the back- East. She is a member of the ground that it almost went un- U.S. Armys 507th Patriot Menoticed when the guns fell silent chanical out of Ft. Bliss, Texas. Her location now is somewhere for a few days. The night of the first cruise in Iraq. missile strikes the artillery roared back to life. It was fur- Dear Mom, Just wanted to say Hello and ther away but somehow more Good-byI will be leaving soon ominous as the realization dawned that lives were perish- and seeings how I have a few ing under those blasts that night. minutes I would like to pass on The artillery is gone now. We some so called words of hear jets roar overhead from encouragment!! Know that you all are in my time to time and the constant whopping sound of helicopter thoughts and prayers. I hoperotors, but mostly it is fairly fully will have internet access once I get down range, so please quiet here. Our reminders of the war are keep them coming. the smoke you can see and smell There are times where I wish from the oil fires burning in I was back home and wasnt southern Iraq. And then there caught up in the middle of all of are the SCUD alerts. They this, but I have learned throughmostly come at night. We no out my military career if you longer wait for the call of Gas, want something done right, then gas, gas! The explosion of the do it yourself. Although motivaPatriot leaping from its launcher tion lacks at times. is sufficient for all but those who Then to know that we as solare very deep sleepers and the diers have the most vital jobs that anyone could have, defendstupid. Life is for the most part the ing you and defending our counsame as before though. More try. I work with some of the best gear to carry, less people around Air Defenders and I couldnt be and a greater sense of anticipa- more thankful. I walk around tion are the only real constant and see the fear, the anxiouschanges. Oh yeah, the dust ness, and the determination in storms seem to be more frequent. soldiers faces and know that Maybe it is just the winds of you have the greatest soldiers out there doing what they want war. Brian Palmer to do.... not what they have to because theyre told, but because theyre dedicated and they are proud to be what they are. I am not a war vet. And I can honestly say that I am feeling a little intimidated. Kind of ex all of you. ail e. pect the unexpected! But I could not be more ready. We are trained and we are ready to accomplish any mission set forth. I, along with all U.S. soldiers, thank you for all you have done to support us. I go home at the end of the night and like most Americans I dread to turn on CNN or CSPAN, but that curiousness ofwhat the press has dug up for the day somehow seems to find that channel. And from being on this end and getting fitted for special NBC(Nuclear, Biological and Chemical) suits and getting Smallpox vaccines and anthrax, and getting called in at a majority of it. If the military isnt under esti- - mating our enemies you should not either. As a soldier War is almost a figment of our imaginations. You can sit around and imagine what it was like for our comrades prior to us or what it will be like for ourselves, and suddenly its a reality and its never what you imagined! Technology has brought us far but the fear of the past battles and losses never go away. .There isnt a single day that goes by that I dont have some crazy memory of my family. Just know that you all are in my heart. There are a few fam- ily members and friends that dont have current addresses, so if you would, I ail please pass this along. We will do our best and make you proud. Just hang in there with us.. ..we need you!! Be home soon! Lots of Love, Cristy in Japan I guess we think that other folks will stand up to evil leaders. But then they dont, and it comes to us to stomp on these bottom feeders. The pity, of course, in the whole danged thing, is the people caught in the middle. , Why evil folks try to conquer the world is a lifelong unsolved riddle. Thank God there is an American tradition for cuttin bullies down to size. And tellin the truth about their dirty deeds, . that theyve covered up with lies. Now, Ill say this, when we wake up here, the U.S. will stand and fight. Because evil men are again on the move, and were gonna do whats right. The SUN welcomes any from your famour 3 10 Years ily serving country in the Middle East. Email them to A long awaited crossing to the sunewskanab.net or mail Kanab Creek Ranchos at 300 them to SUN, 26 N. Main, South went underway to make a second entrance to the Ranchos. Kanab, UT 84741. Lake Powell was expected to rise 49'. A new butcher shop opened in town, LaCorti Custom Butchering and Retail. $ OSH h at Fredonia High School searched for a Girls State sponsor. ifi! gi The Bullfrog Visitor Center reopened. 3 20 Years Mountain Bell added services tt 1 iiijst in Kanab to handle the growth of both local and long distance calling. ' let-ters.- 4 or ils Ago-199- $ Ago-198- River contracts at the Grand Canyon were up for renewal. Cemetery, police and sidewalks were discuessed at the Kanab City Council meeting. The Health Dept, set up a cancer screen for women. 3 30 Years Fredonia voted yes unanimously for a new high school building. Small Business Administration set a visit to come to Kanab. It was announced that permits would be required for commercial opperations in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Snow and rain continued to fall, with mud rising. Ago-197- |