Vets for Freedom: Back to Iraq
- Posted by Beth on June 19th, 2006 filed in Afghanistan, General, Iraq, Support the Troops, The War
Remember the story I posted about (former Army SSG) David Bellavia? (If not, go read it–he was nominated for a Medal of Honor.) He and (former Marine 1LT) Wade Zirkle of Vets for Freedom are back in Iraq as civilians to report on the real situation in Iraq, because their mission with Vets for Freedom is the TRUTH. They arrived last week, and have started writing in the Vets for Freedom blog about their adventure (it’s not just a job…). Bellavia writes of the different perspective he has this time, being a civilian:
I feel that is the first time I have visited Iraq. Deploying to a place during a time of war and playing a part of that offensive operation, it is impossible to have any point of view besides the constant assessment of threat and responsive force. You can’t appreciate landscapes or city streets. You are more preoccupied with observing the fine elements of city life and not the larger picture of community and family. You could deploy me to the Guggenheim and I wouldn’t comment on anything other than the job at hand. Infantrymen are vigilant, quick tempered toward the enemy and always focused. Today I feel none of those things and that really is a great feeling.
…and notes that the other civilians are focused on the “inconsequential”–which may explain the tone of the reporting from Iraq by the mainstream media.
I find more and more the morale is lower with the media and the civilian contractors than with the soldiers. Soldiers laugh and joke with friends. The grumbling I hear, and I hear it daily, are with things so inconsequential that it is insulting to share with those who deal with day to day suicidal zombies and whack jobs.
There’s lots more there, of course. Keep up with their observations from Iraq while they’re over there. And while you’re at the VFF blog, be sure to sign up as a member; you don’t have to be a veteran to join–just pro-mission, pro-victory.
See also: Blackfive, of course, who talked with David Bellavia yesterday on Pundit Review Radio. Thanks also to my bud Cpl M at A Soldier’s Perspective for helping spread the word last week about Bellavia and Vets for Freedom.
UPDATE: Here’s the link to listen to Blackfive’s Someone You Should Know story on Bellavia, from last night’s Pundit Review Radio show. (Thanks to Kevin Whalen for the heads-up.)
Tags: Vets for Freedom, veterans, OIF, OEF, military, veterans
Wild Thing says:
This is great, thank you Beth for posting about it.
That is true too that it is not just a job they are doing.
Thanks agian.
Kevin Whalen says:
http://www.punditreview.com/2006/06/19/blackfive-and-someone-you-should-know-david-bellavia/
Here is a link to last night’s radio edition of Someone You Should Know featuring David Bellavia, heard exclusively on Pundit Review Radio. Thanks.