By Gene E. Blanton, who is currently embedded with the Multi-National Forces West Training Center in Habbaniyah. Support for Gene’s reporting was provided by Public Multimedia Inc.
CAMP HABBANIYAH, AL ANBAR PROVINCE, IRAQ: In September 2005, when I told my wife, Shelia that I was going to be embedded with the 2nd Marine Division in Al Anbar Province, she said “When most guys hit fifty, they get a Corvette, or a Harley or a woman half their age. You run off and play Marine.”
I planned the trip around the arrival of my granddaughter – Hannah – who was scheduled to be born five days after my return. By scheduling the trip to coincide with the new arrival, I knew it would keep my wife busy with less time to worry about me. I had given my daughter, Heather, a direct order that she was not to deliver before I returned. She disobeyed the order.
After a patrol with the Marines of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines in which three young guys were wounded, I returned to base to check email physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. Unexpectedly, a picture of Hannah popped up on my screen. Here was this beautiful creation of God in the midst of blood and strife. I cried like a little girl.
My newest granddaughter, Ally was born last week. My wife is busy helping our daughter. I am back in Al Anbar Province with the 2nd Marine Division.
Yesterday, I accompanied CWO 5 (Gunner) Terry L. Walker, who is the most senior Gunner in the Marine Corps and heads up the Multi-National Forces West Training Center in Habbaniyah. Gunner Walker was being interview by a reporter who said she had a friend in Baghdad of whom all she wanted in life was to be able to push her child in a stroller and feel safe. She implied that since that had not yet happened, we had obviously lost the war.
The Marines have referred to our conflict with Islamic fascism as “The Long War.” Bill Moyer (of whom I am no fan) has spoken of “our children’s children’s war.” The lady in Baghdad may not be able to push her daughter safely down the streets today, but do her chances of realizing that dream come closer to fruition if America pulls out?
Make no mistake. The enemy we fight is not on a timetable. Bin Laden has not told Al Qaeda in Iraq that if they have not taken Baghdad by then end of the year, that all of his scum-sucking murderous barbarians will have to withdraw.
As Gunner Walker so clearly articulated to the reporter, the Cold War spanned many fronts from the Berlin airlift, to the Korean War, to South America to the Vietnam War. No one watching the evacuation of the American Embassy in Saigon in 1975 would have predicted the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
Mothers from Baghdad to Baltimore must understand this fight has to be won even if it means peace and safety will not be obtained until the daughter currently in the stroller is someday pushing her own daughter in a stroller.
My daughter and son-in-law plan on having two more children. When each one comes, my wife will be extremely busy helping my daughter. And, I will be back in
Gene Blanton is a Marine veteran and the author of the soon to be released book, “Semper Fidelis Leadership: From The Corps To The Corporation.”
7 Comments
Congratulations on the new arrival. We too recently experienced the joy of a new grandchild. Like you, my hope is that these new arrivals will live without fear of terrorism. For that to happen, our generation must continue to confront today’s terrorists, defeating them and their hate-filled ideology.
Peace Grandpa
If we pull out, that woman may be able to push her stroller down the street in peace, but the question is whether or not she’ll be dressed in a full burqa or however she pleases. Will she or even her husband be able to speak their minds? Will they have a voice in what kind of government they have?
It’s easy to achieve peace in a totalitarian system, it’s much more difficult in a democracy.
Sir, I believe you labeled the Battalion you are with over in Habbinyah’ You said 3rd Battalion 10th Marines, and I believe you are with the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines (Tueflehunden Bn)
I believe he was refering to who he was with back in 2005. Which evidently was the 10th Marines.
I have a granddaughter due to be born in Aug or Sept, she will have a 6 year old “big sister” who is now my one and only granddaughter.
I hate to say it, but my Sweet Sarah, my first granddaughter is my favorite of all my grandkids,of which all the rest are boys.
Just can’t help it. Congrats and be safe.
Papa Ray
West Texas
USA
Hey Gunny:
I was with Lima 3/10 back in 05 over at Ramadi. These guys were an arty unit provisioned as a rifle company. Great group of guys led by Capt. Ryan Crais. These guys proved that “Every Marine is a rifleman.” I am now spending some time with the Devil Dogs of 3/6 at Hab. Look for future dispatches.
Thank you much.
Semper Fi,
Gene
Gunny Strong,
Gene & Papa Ray beat me to it.
For those new to the site, GySgt Strong took me out on my very 1st patrol, with the 3/6 out in Husaybah in November of 2005. Iraq is a small place, we wound up bumping into each other 3 separate times afterwards while I was in the Qaim region. I can’t thank you enough for looking after me, Gunny.
Happy Memorial Day to you, my friend, and to all the Marines and the men & women in our armed forces.
Trackbacked by The Thunder Run – Web Reconnaissance for 05/29/2007
A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention.