When I was in Iraq, I did two things that continue to haunt me to this day: kill an innocent woman and killed the father and uncle of a 6-year kid.
In Samawah, Saddam’s Fedayeen were using civilians as shields as they fired at us. During one of the battles, one of the fighters was using a woman as a shield outside what was looked like it was a cafe or something. He was resting his AK-47 on the shoulder of the woman. Her ear was bleeding from the concussion of each round as he fired at us. The only way to get him to stop shooting at us was to take them both out. If I were an artist, I would literally draw her portrait from memory.
In Fallujah, we played a major role in securing the mayor’s office. One day, a van driving entirely too fast opened fire on our position. Bad move. We opened up on the van with everything we had. After killing all five people in the van, it eventually ran into a wall and came to a stop. We approached the van to find all five males dead along with a surprise: a eight-year old kid who was miraculously unharmed. What dumbass insurgent group brings their eight-year old to a firefight?! And guess who’s responsibility it was to take this kid to his house and explain to the rest of his family what happened? As soon as he got out of the truck, they knew exactly what had happened.
So, after reading this article, I can’t help but think about what these Soldiers are going to go through for at least the next six years, since that’s how long I’ve been dealing with it and it’s not gone yet. It’s one thing to accidentally kill a child in the exchange of gunfire, but to actually have one in your sights and to pull the trigger is not something I think any Soldier is prepared for. They don’t train us to have to kill kids, but that’s the position the terrorists are putting us in. This story just really broke my heart.
The US military said on Saturday its soldiers shot dead a 12-year-old boy who tried to attack a joint American and Iraqi patrol with a grenade in the tense northern city of Mosul.
“Coalition forces fired on two of three individuals positively identified as involved in the attack, killing one, who they later discovered was a 12-year-old boy,” Master Sergeant Michael Wetzel told AFP.
“We have every reason to believe that insurgents are paying children to conduct these attacks or assist the attackers in some capacity, but undoubtedly placing the children in harm’s way,” he said, following Thursday’s shooting.
Read the rest HERE.
I am so sorry, this just perpetuates the horrible memories you are trying to heal from. Our soldiers/troops are placed in no-win scenarios while the ‘arm chair’ military sit in judgment. You are right; soldiers have never been nor ever will be trained to take out children, or women. Unfortunately we are dealing with an enemy who has absolutely no regard for human life, who hide like cowards behind women, children, the elderly, and the mentally disabled. They wage terror just as easily from a mosque as they do a crowded marketplace. Just watch how this will be reported tomorrow and where the blame will be placed. Please try to remember who you really are and what is in your heart. You did what you had to do, period. You didn’t seek to do what you had to do and were asked to do; nor did you create the circumstances you found yourself in. Place the blame where it belongs, and that is not with you. My prayers go out for you and all our troops. God bless you and thank you for your service!
“H-Minus”
Our current administration wants to negotiate and reason with those animals. There IS no reasoning, compromise, or diplomacy with those who hide behind women and children. I pray for our troops who carry the heavy burden of protecting our country and have witnessed unimaginable horror.
Bless you, CJ ~
Amen, CBob!
If anyone doubts that there is actual evil in this world, all one has to do is look at what is done to children by adults in this world.
CJ,
I agree with everyone whose commented above. You did what you had to do and you would never kill an innocent child we know or a woman or anyone for that matter. The circumstances that you were put in, you had no choice. It was kill or be killed. I don’t know how you feel though and my prayers go out to you CJ and all the troops who are in similar circumstances.
Thank You and to all our servicemen and women for your service to our country. May God heal your heart of all the things that you had to do in the line of duty! Thank You for protecting our country so well!!
Ditto everyone above.
I’ll always be grateful for the immense burden you’ve shouldered for your fellow Americans, CJ. You’re the best!