Battle of Fallujah, (where the streets have no names) 31 Dec 04

From the Soldier side: One of the best parts about my One Year Deployment to Iraq (where we were actually on active duty for 15 months, 3 months of which were totally useless off the wall training) was that I got to travel around a lot. One of the worst parts of my Iraq deployment was we got to travel around alot.  (think: "Inside camp safe. but outside the camp bad.")
When we first got to Baghdad in early December 2004, we sat around on our ass for a few days when the company commander told me to get my team ready to move out the next day. I asked: “Where to sir?”

He said: “You’re going to a place called Fallujah.”

We replaced another small Regular Army team that was attached to the 1st Marine Division. I’ve talked about this in older postings (which by popular demand I’ll leave up for awhile).

However, New Year’s Eve 2004 was something else. The US Military was allowing the good citizens of Fallujah to return to what was left of the city. However, there was no electrical power. No power, no lights. No problem for the US Army Artillery attached to the Marines. They had 155 MM self propelled guns that could fire Illumination (Flare) rounds to light up the night. And they did.

And all the street signs had been take down!  "Where the Streets had no names, use GPS!"

                                             Here's a picture without my face blacked out

When you call for artillery fire it’s called a “Fire Mission” and let me tell you this was an awesome night. You could read the news paper whilst standing outside.
I’ve put some links below to see what the 155 MM gun looks like and for info on the 2nd Battle of Fallujah. I was there and I got the T-shirt.  (and that's today's history lesson)
Happy New Year and when you flip on the light switch, think how lucky we are.

See note below:

155 MM cannon
http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/cv/arty/M109.html

Battle of Fallujah, Iraq

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Fallujah

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fallujah_during_the_Iraq_War

http://home.comcast.net/~ejwoodall/Battle_of_Fallujah.html

http://www.talkingproud.us/Military042805A.html

NOTE: For a friend:

As a Soldier and Cop, and in my own life, I've seen a lot of death.  I've had good friends and family die.   I've tried to save a life and their blood ran out on the ground.  I've given CPR a dozen times. This is one of the biggest stress things you may ever deal with in life.  It is never easy.   What you need to survive:
1.) Know it's OK to cry and be sad
2.) Find somebody to talk to about this...somebody who will listen
3.) Keep the good memory of that person forever, never forget them
4.) It takes time, but time heals things. 
I hope this may help ~ CI Roller Dude