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Letter No. 9: Rumors of where to go from here
By David J. Jenkins, USU class
of '98
January 19, 2005 | Hello
everyone, Greetings from Baghdad ...
I feel that so much time has passed from my last correspondence,
but then I look back and see that it has only been a
week. It is amazing how the closer you come to the goal,
time seems to slow, until you feel like you are in a
shower scene in a soap commercial, and slow motion sets
in.
In my search for the ever elusive sergeant's stripes,
I am faced with one last hurdle (I hope) and that is
to pass a Physical Fitness Test: push-ups, sit-ups and
a two-mile run. It seems easy enough, but some recent
injuries -- torn calf and torn rotator cuff in the past
year -- make me hesitant to be optimistic. However,
I am going to go at this with full determination and
hope for the best. I plan to make the attempt to pass
in just a couple of days. I should have more information
by next week.
There seems to be a bit of confusion regarding our return.
In my last update I notified everyone that Jan. 15 should
be the last day to send out any mail if we should hope
to receive it in a timely manner. I have received many
responses back congratulating us on returning back to
the States on Jan. 15. Although I cannot be perfectly
clear on this point, I will attempt to paint a picture:
We are currently stationed in East Baghdad. Rumor has
it that from here, we may be moving to another post
farther north. From that post we will begin the de-mobilization
process, which could take a month, or three months.
We don't know.
Once we have begun this process, we will more than likely
commute south to Kuwait, where we could remain for a
week or a month, we don't know.
When we do finally make a move back to the states, we
will more than likely be stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash.,
(as best we can tell), for approximately a week.
Our final stage of de-mobilization will take place in
Eugene, Ore., and this process could last a week, or
three months. We don't know.
Best-case scenario, we will be back in the U.S. and
returning to civilian life by April. Worst-case scenario
we will remain on active duty until September. But,
once again, we don't know.
I apologize for any confusion on this, but I hope that
this information helps everyone to understand the mobility
nature of our position here.
A few days ago, as I was pondering on the new requirement
that has been thrust upon me regarding promotion to
sergeant, our platoon medic, Spc. Theodore Cole, came
into my room and asked if I wanted to walk over to the
Internet lab with him.
We began the short trek across post and along the way,
began discussing my possible promotion and he informed
me that one of our corporals was being promoted that
afternoon. As we sauntered along the pitted road, kicking
the bits of loose gravel scattered about, we decided
that it was only right to attend this moment in history.
We arrived at the palm grove just in time to hear the
formation being called to attention. We silently moved
up to the rear of the group and fell into the position
of attention. The command sergeant major did an about
face and relinquished authority of the formation over
to our battalion commander.
The battalion commander, although short in stature,
is large in character. He is a man of confidence and
this shows in his countenance. He paused for a moment,
looked over his troops, then began reading the promotion
order.
Corporal King stood there, his body rigid, but relaxed.
There isn't too much that he hasn't seen in his some
20 years of service. Like myself, he also had a 12-year
break in service, but his career began with an overseas
trip in the summer of 1968. He is a wealth of knowledge
and has volumes of stories which he has shared with
me on many occasions. The most memorable experience
took place in May 1969.
He was a young specialist, attached to the 3rd Battalion,
187th Infantry Regiment. They were known as the Screaming
Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division. Their unit occupied
a small piece of land just off the Laotian border, and
after several days of intensive fighting, he was one
of the few survivors to walk down a mountain that would
be listed in the history books as Hill 937. those intense
days of fighting resulted in 39 killed in action and
290 wounded. Although listed as Hill 937, it would become
better known as Hamburger Hill.
Our medic and I stood there watching as this soldier,
now 60 years old, pin for the first time in his stoic
history, sergeant's stripes. It was a proud day for
our company, battalion and for Oregon. We are grateful
to be acquainted with this American Hero.
Thanks to everyone for your continuing support. I look
forward to your continued correspondence. My updates
may become sparse as we begin our transitional phase,
but I will continue to write when time and resources
permit.
Best wishes,
Spc. David J. Jenkins
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1 and a photo of David J. Jenkins
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for Letter No. 8
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