Click on this link to watch interview - the extended video interview is also available at this link.
http://www.myfoxcolorado.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=5804324&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1
Monday, February 18, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Reflections
Greetings from Chilly Colorado (otherwise known as Home Sweet Home),
Traveling the world has always been something I’ve loved. I enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds. I like seeing new sites. I am intrigued to find out why people believe what they believe. And I am always fascinated by immersing myself in unique cultures.
This love of other cultures was further enhanced when I left home to attend the University of Hawaii in 1988. Although it was a difficult transition in some ways, I grew to love my experience during college. I have friends literally all over the world, and consider any time spent with them to be a true blessing.
On the flight back from Iraq, I began to reflect on all of my experiences – not only this trip, but my previous adventures as well. As I did, one thing struck me. I realized that after each of these trips I have always been able to return home. And each time I return home, there is a sense of thankfulness and relief for being back in a country that allows us the freedoms we have. That's not to say we don’t have our issues here – we clearly do. However, without a doubt, we live in the greatest country on the globe.
I’ve just had a rare opportunity to go to a war zone. My whole purpose was to encourage our soldiers, yet I was the one who came back encouraged. As I look through the many photos I took in Iraq (at least 400) and reflect on the many stories our troops told me while I was there, I am filled with pride – pride in our troops who have sacrificed so much (current and veterans), and pride in our troops who made the ultimate sacrifice for me to be able to return home to my freedom.
This trip is going to take a lot of time to process for me. When I close my eyes, I think of the Blackhawk crew that painted stars on their chopper to remember their friends who have fallen, or the lobby of the 3rd Infantry Division which held the dog tags of friends they have lost, or the running loop of pictures on a big screen at COP Callahan showing their friends who have given their lives. In each of these situations, what impressed me so much is the way the troops are so determined to never forget their comrades.
I believe it is so very important to remember. In the Bible, God routinely told the Israelites to put up Memorial Stones. Why? So they would never forget. So they would always remember what the Lord did for them.
As I stood in line at U.S. Customs to officially re-enter America, I saw a soldier nearby. I made sure I went to him and said, “Thank you for all you do!” At times, I am sad to admit that I’ve taken our freedom for granted, but I don't think I ever will again.
I would like to encourage all of you to put up your own “Memorial Stone.” It could be a small stone placed on your kitchen windowsill or a large rock placed in your garden – just set something in a frequented area, so that every time you see it you will remember the sacrifices that have been and are continuing to be made for all of us here in the great U.S. of A., and you will also send up a quick prayer for all those who are constantly putting it all on the line for us.
Blessings to all of you, and thanks again for taking the time to follow me through the last week in Iraq.
Under Mercy,
Jason
Traveling the world has always been something I’ve loved. I enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds. I like seeing new sites. I am intrigued to find out why people believe what they believe. And I am always fascinated by immersing myself in unique cultures.
This love of other cultures was further enhanced when I left home to attend the University of Hawaii in 1988. Although it was a difficult transition in some ways, I grew to love my experience during college. I have friends literally all over the world, and consider any time spent with them to be a true blessing.
On the flight back from Iraq, I began to reflect on all of my experiences – not only this trip, but my previous adventures as well. As I did, one thing struck me. I realized that after each of these trips I have always been able to return home. And each time I return home, there is a sense of thankfulness and relief for being back in a country that allows us the freedoms we have. That's not to say we don’t have our issues here – we clearly do. However, without a doubt, we live in the greatest country on the globe.
I’ve just had a rare opportunity to go to a war zone. My whole purpose was to encourage our soldiers, yet I was the one who came back encouraged. As I look through the many photos I took in Iraq (at least 400) and reflect on the many stories our troops told me while I was there, I am filled with pride – pride in our troops who have sacrificed so much (current and veterans), and pride in our troops who made the ultimate sacrifice for me to be able to return home to my freedom.
This trip is going to take a lot of time to process for me. When I close my eyes, I think of the Blackhawk crew that painted stars on their chopper to remember their friends who have fallen, or the lobby of the 3rd Infantry Division which held the dog tags of friends they have lost, or the running loop of pictures on a big screen at COP Callahan showing their friends who have given their lives. In each of these situations, what impressed me so much is the way the troops are so determined to never forget their comrades.
I believe it is so very important to remember. In the Bible, God routinely told the Israelites to put up Memorial Stones. Why? So they would never forget. So they would always remember what the Lord did for them.
As I stood in line at U.S. Customs to officially re-enter America, I saw a soldier nearby. I made sure I went to him and said, “Thank you for all you do!” At times, I am sad to admit that I’ve taken our freedom for granted, but I don't think I ever will again.
I would like to encourage all of you to put up your own “Memorial Stone.” It could be a small stone placed on your kitchen windowsill or a large rock placed in your garden – just set something in a frequented area, so that every time you see it you will remember the sacrifices that have been and are continuing to be made for all of us here in the great U.S. of A., and you will also send up a quick prayer for all those who are constantly putting it all on the line for us.
Blessings to all of you, and thanks again for taking the time to follow me through the last week in Iraq.
Under Mercy,
Jason
Photos from the Trip
One final photo before heading home
Reading on Saddam's Throne given to him by Yassar Arafat
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Final Day in Iraq
Greetings to you all,
We're down to our final day here in Iraq. We will leave camp at 0600 for our C-130 Herc flight back to Kuwait (I'm sure my buddies will buckle up this time).
Today was more of the same wonderfully exhausting routine with flights out to more FOBs and PBs (Patrol Base). During one of our flights, a guy from our group asked the pilot if the Blackhawk could maneuver as well as the Apache helicopters. Before the words were out of his mouth we were close to inverted, and my nose was pressed squarely against the left window. I happened to be videoing at the time and captured it all. Stay tuned for some great footage.
Our first stop was an outpost we’ve just taken from Al-Qaeda in the last few days. There weren't as many soldiers here as at other stops, but they were surprised and excited that we were able to make it out to them.
Later, we toured the Al-Faw Palace, which was one of seventy-two palaces Saddam Hussein had built in the country. Al-Faw was created to commemorate the defeat of the Iranians near the Al-Faw Peninsula back in the 1980s.
Nearby is the Victory Over America Palace, which was to commemorate Saddam’s self-proclaimed triumph during the 1991 Gulf War. In his mind, since he was still in power after the Liberation of Kuwait, he must have won. Saddam also required the staff at each of the seventy-two palaces throughout the country to prepare food for each meal in the event he showed up. If they didn’t, he simply killed them. One photo I have is of an elevator stained with the blood of people who knew they were descending to their death chamber. It’s not a visual I’ll soon get out of my mind.
We continued our tour of the Palace, meeting troops and distributing Monday Night Jihad to many of them. Along the way, I had the opportunity to meet with Brigadier General Joseph Anderson, the Chief of Staff of the Multi-National Corps here in Baghdad. VERY COOL!
The troops have done an amazing job carrying out their mission. Militarily the job is slow, but progressing well. Many of the soldiers told me story after story of what truly is going on in the villages, and how the Iraqi people are beginning to understand their opportunity for freedom and that we are not here to destroy and occupy. We are definitely making progress with them. The political situation does frustrate many here, but they continue to do their job with excellence.
It truly has been an honor to take this trip. It is virtually impossible to see what I've seen and not have an intense sense of patriotism and pride in our great country. I hope to send one more message before my return, and I do hope all of you are well. Thanks for reading and for your continued prayers.
Under Mercy,
Jason
We're down to our final day here in Iraq. We will leave camp at 0600 for our C-130 Herc flight back to Kuwait (I'm sure my buddies will buckle up this time).
Today was more of the same wonderfully exhausting routine with flights out to more FOBs and PBs (Patrol Base). During one of our flights, a guy from our group asked the pilot if the Blackhawk could maneuver as well as the Apache helicopters. Before the words were out of his mouth we were close to inverted, and my nose was pressed squarely against the left window. I happened to be videoing at the time and captured it all. Stay tuned for some great footage.
Our first stop was an outpost we’ve just taken from Al-Qaeda in the last few days. There weren't as many soldiers here as at other stops, but they were surprised and excited that we were able to make it out to them.
Later, we toured the Al-Faw Palace, which was one of seventy-two palaces Saddam Hussein had built in the country. Al-Faw was created to commemorate the defeat of the Iranians near the Al-Faw Peninsula back in the 1980s.
Nearby is the Victory Over America Palace, which was to commemorate Saddam’s self-proclaimed triumph during the 1991 Gulf War. In his mind, since he was still in power after the Liberation of Kuwait, he must have won. Saddam also required the staff at each of the seventy-two palaces throughout the country to prepare food for each meal in the event he showed up. If they didn’t, he simply killed them. One photo I have is of an elevator stained with the blood of people who knew they were descending to their death chamber. It’s not a visual I’ll soon get out of my mind.
We continued our tour of the Palace, meeting troops and distributing Monday Night Jihad to many of them. Along the way, I had the opportunity to meet with Brigadier General Joseph Anderson, the Chief of Staff of the Multi-National Corps here in Baghdad. VERY COOL!
The troops have done an amazing job carrying out their mission. Militarily the job is slow, but progressing well. Many of the soldiers told me story after story of what truly is going on in the villages, and how the Iraqi people are beginning to understand their opportunity for freedom and that we are not here to destroy and occupy. We are definitely making progress with them. The political situation does frustrate many here, but they continue to do their job with excellence.
It truly has been an honor to take this trip. It is virtually impossible to see what I've seen and not have an intense sense of patriotism and pride in our great country. I hope to send one more message before my return, and I do hope all of you are well. Thanks for reading and for your continued prayers.
Under Mercy,
Jason
Jason with BlackHawk Crew
Having a great time with the troops. Here I am presenting them with my book!
Monday, February 4, 2008
Super Bowl Sunday
Another wonderful day in Iraq!
I was just thinking this morning of what could possibly happen that would top what we’ve already done and seen. Well, how about this:
We began the day outside of Balad, and boarded yet another Blackhawk that took us directly over the heart of the city. Flying rooftop level over many of the cities I have only heard about since the invasion has proven to be exciting, but surreal.
We dropped into Camp Independence where our U.S. troops are training the Iraqi Army to eventually take over. Our timing was perfect! 2-star Iraqi General Abdul Amir walked out to greet us, and then we met with 3-star General Waji – the man overseeing that part of the Iraqi Army that controls the western half of Baghdad. The Tigris River splits Baghdad and most of this region has made massive strides in the last year. We had lunch with the “good guys,” and watched them kill time by giving each other IV’s for fun (I did not volunteer).
Too soon we were rushed out again to the next base near Sadr City. I've been asked not to disclose some of the places and things I have seen recently, so I will try to use my best discretion here.
This COP (Combat Outpost) is literally on the front lines. These soldiers are rotating patrols night and day, and have been doing so since last February. All I can say for now is that I wouldn’t want to be one of the insurgents. Our men and women are amazingly well equipped and trained for their missions. This outpost has no amenities, and the soldiers only get one hot meal per day. Remember they've been doing this continuously for one year – we’re talking 24-7! If you would, say a prayer tonight for these courageous front-line warriors.
Soon, we were again picked up by a Blackhawk, and traveled through the night sky to Camp Liberty, near Al Faw Palace. Here we gathered ourselves for what has truly turned out to just be an excuse for coming here to encourage all these wonderful soldiers – the Super Bowl. We spent a long night of FOB (Forward Operating Base) hopping to watch the amazing Giants’ underdog victory with the troops.
Monday Night Jihad was a huge hit at one of the FOB’s, and virtually every soldier requested a copy. And, of course, the game, too, was a huge hit, and was awesome for morale. We headed back to our quarters just after daybreak, and have to be at the chopper pad shortly. I’ve learned that they don't sleep around here – AT ALL!
Hope everyone is well, and as usual I will blog when able.
I was just thinking this morning of what could possibly happen that would top what we’ve already done and seen. Well, how about this:
We began the day outside of Balad, and boarded yet another Blackhawk that took us directly over the heart of the city. Flying rooftop level over many of the cities I have only heard about since the invasion has proven to be exciting, but surreal.
We dropped into Camp Independence where our U.S. troops are training the Iraqi Army to eventually take over. Our timing was perfect! 2-star Iraqi General Abdul Amir walked out to greet us, and then we met with 3-star General Waji – the man overseeing that part of the Iraqi Army that controls the western half of Baghdad. The Tigris River splits Baghdad and most of this region has made massive strides in the last year. We had lunch with the “good guys,” and watched them kill time by giving each other IV’s for fun (I did not volunteer).
Too soon we were rushed out again to the next base near Sadr City. I've been asked not to disclose some of the places and things I have seen recently, so I will try to use my best discretion here.
This COP (Combat Outpost) is literally on the front lines. These soldiers are rotating patrols night and day, and have been doing so since last February. All I can say for now is that I wouldn’t want to be one of the insurgents. Our men and women are amazingly well equipped and trained for their missions. This outpost has no amenities, and the soldiers only get one hot meal per day. Remember they've been doing this continuously for one year – we’re talking 24-7! If you would, say a prayer tonight for these courageous front-line warriors.
Soon, we were again picked up by a Blackhawk, and traveled through the night sky to Camp Liberty, near Al Faw Palace. Here we gathered ourselves for what has truly turned out to just be an excuse for coming here to encourage all these wonderful soldiers – the Super Bowl. We spent a long night of FOB (Forward Operating Base) hopping to watch the amazing Giants’ underdog victory with the troops.
Monday Night Jihad was a huge hit at one of the FOB’s, and virtually every soldier requested a copy. And, of course, the game, too, was a huge hit, and was awesome for morale. We headed back to our quarters just after daybreak, and have to be at the chopper pad shortly. I’ve learned that they don't sleep around here – AT ALL!
Hope everyone is well, and as usual I will blog when able.
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