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Mr_Sandman's Blog

by Mr_Sandman from Hazelwood

Last Post 521 days, 9 hours Ago


Chasing the Boogey Man
Jan 11, 2007 | 3:01 AM
Category: News
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Many Many times when I was in Iraq, I would stay awake at night thinking of things back in the states, like it was world far away. I would think of the people in my life friends, family, even people that I did not know. Would they ever really know what an average day over here was like for me and thousands of other troops. Descriptive words will never come close,but at the very least they can give you the sensation of what it was like for me to be there.


Awake......2:47AM
A mission......suspected weapons......a civilians house
20 minutes.... briefing.....my stomach turns


I check my gear.......lock and load
200 rounds......tracer rounds and all
Slow motion.....my mind wonders
"We are winning the hearts and minds of the Iraq people".....My commander and chief says

Screams ring out as we bust in the door
Women and children cry.......they think will kill them
No weapons to be found

Winning hearts and minds.......I just don't know
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Member Comments Total Comments: 16
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andyandeye read my blog view my photos
Jan 11, 2007 | 7:59 AM

This blog deserves a response, but I have to tell you I just don't know what to say. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Z-man read my blog
Jan 11, 2007 | 8:00 AM

Sandman,

You DIDNT kill them...But what about all the terrorist you did kill?? and the IED's you removed??? and the caches you found??? and the clinics you opened??? and the schools you opened??? and the toys you gave the Iraqi kids??? and the electricity & water that runs more now than it did when saddam insane was ruling?

You need to give yourself more credit...and my Brother too...and ALL the Americans there & gone.
Z-man read my blog
Jan 11, 2007 | 8:02 AM

P.S. If you need a shoulder or an ear dont hesitate to ask me.
myfoxviewer9431 view my photos
Jan 11, 2007 | 8:22 AM

I can't imagine what it was like for you and all the other soldiers. But all of you are so BRAVE and I'm proud to to be an American.

rosie read my blog view my photos
Jan 11, 2007 | 8:32 AM

thats wierd cause i sometimes lay in bed at night saying my prayers and when i get to the soldiers in iraq, i too sometimes think of the 5 i know over there and the ones i dont , and what they are doing riht now, are they in a scary situation , are they sitting and eating with bullets that can be heard in the background or or they lossing their life right at that monent. God bless you dear
Rollagirl read my blog
Jan 11, 2007 | 8:50 AM

Mr_Sandman, thank you.
deeno read my blog view my photos
Jan 11, 2007 | 9:01 AM

I agree with Z-man’s comments. The greater good and the accomplishments made should not be diminished by a few wrong turns along the way.

Thank you Mr_Sandman for your bravery and courage in carrying out your missions.
SharonC read my blog view my photos
Jan 11, 2007 | 10:45 AM

Hey Sandman, your anguish comes through your words well. Perhaps growing up in a civilized culture doesn't prepare our young men for the sights, sounds, and experiences of war.

14dabucs read my blog view my photos
Jan 11, 2007 | 11:24 AM

Thank you for your service, and thank you for sharing your thoughts, Sandman.

I cannot imagine what you saw or experienced over there, but hopefully sharing it with us unburdens you a bit. Know that you did a job that was worth doing, for us and for them.
grandpajohn read my blog view my photos
Jan 11, 2007 | 11:29 AM

Sandman

From one vet to another I say thank you. I didn't in war but I have family who has a nephew who was in Afghanistan He dont talk alot about it. He was in the marines I know he had a ruff time over there. I have a son in korea right now I glad he's ther He wanted to go to Iraq. He talks about all the riots most of the koreans hate Americans. sometimes he say it get a bit scary.

Talk to your family. they will be there for you. You might talk to the V.A. about joining a vet talk group most of all talk about don't hold in.

Once again thankyou for your service.
SuperLotionnet read my blog view my photos
Jan 11, 2007 | 11:48 AM

Please share more. I think that not only will it help you but it would help those of us at home in the states to understand what you guys are going thru to protect us.
God bless you all, and thank you.
Sandy
Cuteypops read my blog view my photos
Jan 11, 2007 | 12:06 PM

I feel so empty inside after reading this post.
I'm sorry for the pain you feel Sandman. Just keep in mind that although there were no weapons. There very well could have been. I live day to day thinking about terrorism and how I feel that our troops are in the wrong country. However, Iraq did need our help also. Do any of you think about what our lives would be like if the terrorist were to become successful and take over the United States? It could happen. All I know is I live scared now because unless you live at your neighbors house you really don't know what they are doing. Could they be involved in terrorism?
Sandman you did a good thing although it may not feel like it. Better to be safe then sorry.
NurseMom read my blog view my photos
Jan 11, 2007 | 2:21 PM

I pretty much agree with you Sandman, we cannot pull out now. I have also spent quite a bit of time talking to two of my god-children who were over there. They both talked about how hard it is to get used to NOT hearing things blowing up or feeling the raw fear when you go out on a mission. They also talk about how it is Iraqi's who destroy every improvement the American's make and the fear on the faces of the children when they see soldiers. The answer is definitely not simple. I do not believe either side has a truly viable plan. I'm not even certain that a truly viable plan is possible, but more of a one day at a time type of response lead by military and locals working together. I do not believe that Iraq will ever be a true Democracy as that would be totally against our culture. I agree with what W said before he was elected in 2000-We would truly be arrogant to believe that others would want to live like us. Z-man, I know that you are trying to point out all of the positives and our soldiers are doing their very best. You need to understand that those I know who have come back have been traumatized and do not have positive feelings towards how things are going. They know way more than we do about what is happening. My God-daughter said that they do not report any of the good but they also do not report a lot of the bad either. So let us pray and send our support to our brave soldiers who are risking their lives.
Sandman, you are a hero.
tbiggers2002 read my blog
Jan 11, 2007 | 2:34 PM

Sandman, thank you so much for sharing. Thank you for serving and protecting. My husband was in Desert Storm and he won't talk about it.

_007 read my blog
Jan 11, 2007 | 6:14 PM

Sandman,

You wouldn't be human if you didn't feel remorse over scaring women and children. It's the enemy's fault for hiding among them, not yours.

I thank you for you doing your part so that my children may sleep safe tonight. God bless you, sir.
carmellion read my blog view my photos
Mar 9, 2007 | 2:01 PM

rosie - I'm with you, i pray for my brother who has been there 3 times, he is in the Marine Corps and i start praying for his crew and the rest of the men and women there. I try to cover all basis. Be strong mr_sandman and just stay prayerful. God can conquer all
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Mr_Sandman

A 27 year old who recenlty returned from the war in Iraq. I served with the 101st Airborne division "Air Assault". I created this blog to raise public awareness of PTSD, "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder", and the effect it has on us soldiers when we return from war and are let loose back into the civilian world.

Member Since: 12/18/2006


 

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