Going Back
I have decided to volunteer for service in Iraq again. This decision has been met with considerable concern from those I discuss it with. The “why” seems to be lost on most people. So I am going to write it out and then anyone who wonders why a young guy like me would even think about returning to the madness that can be Iraq can read about it to their hearts content.
It is difficult to explain my rationale because it requires somewhat of an understanding of what is happening over there (most people have no clue) and it also requires an understanding of my own mindset and motivation. So let me set forth the reasons one at a time. There are three primary reasons why I volunteered.
First, I have seen firsthand the good that we are doing there and I want to be able to help them finish the job. The media coverage is slanted. I do not think that they are printing lies; it’s just that they report the bad things and setbacks out of perspective. There are more good things going on than bad things, but you don’t hear about it that way. That is not lying but it is giving the world a warped perspective on what is happening there. The Iraqi people are on the verge of having their own democratic government capable of being defended by their own patriots. The Iraqi people are beginning to realize that they have something to worth defending. It took them thirty years to get where they were when we liberated them from Saddam and it is going to take some time. Right now they have a built-in fear of government. It is going to take a new generation of kids growing up free for them to understand what we have given them. We are on the verge of some real good being accomplished there. I want to be a part of this final push to stabilize.
Second, the Marines who have joined my unit since we got back in ’04 are being ordered to go to Iraq for the first time. Those of us who had already gone had a choice. All the new guys were going to be going over without any leaders being required to go with them. I could not tell them to go to Iraq and do a good job. That is not the Marine way. “Follow me” works much better. Simply put, the men that I lead may depend on my experience and knowledge to stay alive.
Lastly, my wife and I have become convinced that God wants me to return to Iraq. Going back does not make sense from a human viewpoint. My dad has a terminal disease and may not live until my return. I have two sons, one of whom is an infant. So the timing is not “good.” But we have been praying about this and we have both been led to the place where we see that God has plans for us in this that are bigger than we are. So He wants me to return and I am going back; that is enough. I am at peace about this.
It is difficult to explain my rationale because it requires somewhat of an understanding of what is happening over there (most people have no clue) and it also requires an understanding of my own mindset and motivation. So let me set forth the reasons one at a time. There are three primary reasons why I volunteered.
First, I have seen firsthand the good that we are doing there and I want to be able to help them finish the job. The media coverage is slanted. I do not think that they are printing lies; it’s just that they report the bad things and setbacks out of perspective. There are more good things going on than bad things, but you don’t hear about it that way. That is not lying but it is giving the world a warped perspective on what is happening there. The Iraqi people are on the verge of having their own democratic government capable of being defended by their own patriots. The Iraqi people are beginning to realize that they have something to worth defending. It took them thirty years to get where they were when we liberated them from Saddam and it is going to take some time. Right now they have a built-in fear of government. It is going to take a new generation of kids growing up free for them to understand what we have given them. We are on the verge of some real good being accomplished there. I want to be a part of this final push to stabilize.
Second, the Marines who have joined my unit since we got back in ’04 are being ordered to go to Iraq for the first time. Those of us who had already gone had a choice. All the new guys were going to be going over without any leaders being required to go with them. I could not tell them to go to Iraq and do a good job. That is not the Marine way. “Follow me” works much better. Simply put, the men that I lead may depend on my experience and knowledge to stay alive.
Lastly, my wife and I have become convinced that God wants me to return to Iraq. Going back does not make sense from a human viewpoint. My dad has a terminal disease and may not live until my return. I have two sons, one of whom is an infant. So the timing is not “good.” But we have been praying about this and we have both been led to the place where we see that God has plans for us in this that are bigger than we are. So He wants me to return and I am going back; that is enough. I am at peace about this.
posted by David Sackett | 09:30
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