BOOOM!!!
Tuesday, 1 August 2006 | 109 readers so far
This morning I was playing a video game in my hooch (I was awoken early by a boom) when another thunderous BOOOOOOM shook the walls of my trailer. My bed is against the wall so I moved an inch or so with the concussion blast.
A car bomb detonated outside a bank in the Karada district just across the river. At last report, we’re told, 12 Iraqis died and 18 more were seriously wounded. The victims were Iraqi government employees who were waiting to be paid. Of course, civilians just passing by were also killed. The terrorists here make no attempt whatsoever to limit what military mrn term collateral damage.
I immediately suited up in full combat gear (which I would have done anyhow in a few minutes) and headed toward the armored humvee we use to get to work. There was no sense continuing to play my video game because immediately after the bomb detonated I heard the distinct crack of AK-47 fire in the nearby area and the thumping vibration of Apache attack helicopters headed for the scene of the carnage. One never knows what will follow the immediate aftermath of such an explosion. Sometimes there are more explosions. Sometimes there are firefights. Always there is chaos. Chaos and I do not get along. I’d rather be moving when the shit hits the fan than sitting still.
As I walked to my vehicle, more small arms fire from very close by emphasized the violence festering in this place where I have made my home for almost a year. A huge cloud of black smoke drifted across the river towards us from the scene of the blast. The area was swarmed with Blackhawks and Apaches. I’m sure our hospital will be busy today.
I’ve been through so many indirect fire attacks and car bombings now that I’ve completely lost count. My body’s reaction though, has always been the same. I get a huge rush of adrenaline followed by a few minutes of shaky hands and then I feel exultant because it wasn’t me who got blown up. I like being alive. I bet the victims of this morning’s attack liked being alive too. I’m sure they had hopes and dreams. Now those have been extinguished. For what? They were fighting for their country, trying to protect their fellow citizens and make a living. They were trying to make Iraq a decent place to live. They died for it.
1 August 1st, 2006 at 2:34 pm
kitanis says:
Trevor
Keep your butt down and safe through all this madness. Your postings prove to me that even if we pulled out right now.. completely.. the fools would still be killing their own people.
The Middle East is a misunderstood and crazy area. All of this in Iraq, Lebanon and Israel affect all of us in gas prices or political clout
2 August 1st, 2006 at 5:43 pm
The Thunder Run says:
Web Reconnaissance for 08/01/2006…
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention….
3 August 2nd, 2006 at 12:42 am
sk says:
“I like being alive.”
There are many at home who would like for you to stay that way as well. Take care.
4 August 2nd, 2006 at 2:52 am
Shane says:
Scary stuff man. I just watched the news about that exact explosion not 5 minutes ago.
Stay safe.
5 August 6th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
Eric says:
.. be careful, man… you are in our thoughts…..
6 August 13th, 2006 at 9:40 pm
gracegiven says:
“I like being alive.â€
Well said, thank you. Is it unreasonable to hope that sentiment can be shared throughout the middle-east? I think not. Thanks for your service to the US and to the good and decent people of Iraq.
7 August 14th, 2006 at 1:30 am
down_in_tennessee says:
You and all in the military are in our thoughts and prayers.
8 July 29th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
the will to exist - Post infrequency says:
[...] For those of you who are wondering why I haven’t posted - I’m busy. Too busy to write? Sadly, yes, at least on the blog. I’m working on it though. I’ll be back as quickly as I can get some people trained up. In the mean time, here’s a reminder of where I was last year, and where several hundred thousand of your fellow citizens are this year. BOOOM!!! [...]