I usually define myself as a college student, proudly proclaiming the fact that I belong to the fine University of Wisconsin at Madison. As a member of the National Guard, I have always considered myself more of a civilian than a soldier.
Things have changed. I have changed. After spending a short five months overseas, my life will never be the same. I now see myself as a soldier-a proud American soldier.
Every day I drive on the dangerous streets of Baghdad, hear the distant and not-so-distant gunfire, and see the lack of regulated laws. I feel bad for the people who have to live like this all the time.
People may not agree with us being over here. They may think it is a waste of time and money. I can honestly say that it was hard to leave my family and friends, to stop school dead in its tracks, to basically put my life on hold for the unknown.
However, I want everyone to know that I am blessed. I am experiencing something very few Americans can even grasp. I will be able to go home and fall in love with my whole life all over again. Every little detail will mean the world to me. The smell of grass, the falling rain (or snow), my own bed, a flushable toilet, picking out my own clothes and the ability to go anywhere at anytime without fear for my life. In other words... freedom! This is the very reason I am here, so the people of Iraq can understand what it feels like to be free.
Every day at work I see sadness in the peoples' eyes. I've seen brothers betray brothers, people shoot at their neighbors and kids alienated from their parents. This city is garbage-laden, with no government to help clean it up. I see police officers too afraid to answer calls or help their own people. It is amazing that this city can still function. Somehow the people find enough courage to persevere through the hard times.
So I ask you to just take a moment and relish the fact that you are blessed. You live in a great nation. A free nation with regulated laws and leaders who honestly care about your daily well-being. Now take a moment and wish this freedom for the whole world. Now you know the reason why we are here.
