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Letter No. 8: Tracers light the sky, but we have survived
the holidays
By David J. Jenkins, USU class
of '98
January 12, 2005 | Hello
everyone, Greetings from Baghdad ...
We survived the holidays -- literally. We are still
here in Baghdad, but things are a little different with
the arrival of a new year. We do things here in Baghdad
the same as other places . . . only, different.
New Year's Eve was a sight to see. A few of us went
up on the roof of our building to watch the new year
come upon us. To the east, north and right outside our
fence to the South, we could see the steady stream of
tracer rounds light up the blue-black sky. Shots of
light, like fireflies, dancing into the darkness, giving
the path of fire for the small arms rounds.
We looked off into the western sky and just past midnight,
two thumps and flashes could heard and seen as the sky
turned a brilliant green from 155mm illumination rounds.
Off to the south, smaller illumination grenades could
be seen painting the sky with dots of white.
A new year is upon us, and we are all anxious to make
the most of the months to follow. Some of us are on
the verge of returning to the States. Others, have just
arrived. In either case, we are all eager to do our
best to be successful in all of our endeavors.
I am happy to announce that we have been asked to pass
word to family and friends that as of 15 January 2005,
to please not send any more mail our way.
This is not a guarantee that we are returning soon
(although we still have hope), but that we are making
preparations to return with the hopes of not being extended.
We have received no word as of yet regarding rotations
or extensions, so we are making plans to return home
based on original orders.
Also, I have been notified that a sergeants slot has
been located and that I am the next soldier on the list.
The necessary paperwork is being processed, and I hope
to be wearing my sergeant's stripes before we return
home. As the locals say, In Shallah (if it
be God's will).
I was asked about the upcoming elections. As you must
all know by now, I am not one to delve to deeply into
politics, but I did find the results to the following
question interesting. Are you voting in the upcoming
elections? I have asked at least 25 locals this question
-- shopkeepers, Iraqi National Guardsmen and interpreters.
The common answer has been that they are not sure who
is IN the elections. They don't know who the
candidates are, or what they stand for. It was difficult
to listen to their frustration.
We were on patrol the other day and as we made our
way through the streets of Baghdad, we could see that
the election billboards have just begun popping up around
town. Giant billboards of black, with an immense hand
gripping a ballot and placing it into a ballot box.
The ballot box is emblazoned with the Iraqi National
Flag. The ballot has the flag's colors sweeping across
the backside.
The hand is weathered and worn, the hand of a tradesman,
a working-class citizen. The person's arm hidden by
the sleeve of a black suit coat. There are too many
analogies and far too much symbolism here. I will leave
this to your imagination.
There is word that we may be moving to another location
in Iraq before our tour is over, but I am not privy
to that information at this time. We are here to do
our job, and are willing to go where we need to go in
support of our mission. I just see this as another step
in the direction of home.
We are all grateful for the phenomenal support from
everyone back in the States.
In spite of the differing opinions regarding this war,
there has been little said in opposition to the troops.
I cannot express my gratitude to everyone, enough.
Thank you all for everything, I am looking forward
to your continued correspondence.
Best wishes,
Spc David J. Jenkins
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