Returning Home from War
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- NankinYP
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"Deployed in Iraq
I was deployed in Iraq in September 2009 for my first four-month rotation flying missions with my new unit. Multiple holidays and a birthday missed with not a single day off. No such thing as a fun Friday night, a lazy Sunday morning or even a Wednesday to think, “I’m halfway there.” Everyday is a no frills Tuesday--the same day over and over again. Same uniforms, same chicken and rice to eat, same routine. There are only the rare tell-tale signs to offer any concept of time: pizza being served in the chow hall so it must be Friday, or a football game on TV so it must be Sunday. But it doesn't matter that it is Sunday because business must be done, a mission must be flown. The games are missed. (God bless those ground pounders who go for a year at a time.)
This isn't a sob story, but rather a small snapshot of what any military member must endure on a deployment overseas. Most of us are proud to do it. My time was up for this rotation on Groundhog’s Day. With my replacement in country and orders in hand, it was time to go home. U.S.A. here I come! Eventually.
Getting Home from War
The government had no problems sending me to war, why would I have any problems returning home from war? But it isn't so simple."
Read more about Matt Persiani's hitchhike home from Iraq: http://www.ypnation.net/hitchhiking-home-war
I was deployed in Iraq in September 2009 for my first four-month rotation flying missions with my new unit. Multiple holidays and a birthday missed with not a single day off. No such thing as a fun Friday night, a lazy Sunday morning or even a Wednesday to think, “I’m halfway there.” Everyday is a no frills Tuesday--the same day over and over again. Same uniforms, same chicken and rice to eat, same routine. There are only the rare tell-tale signs to offer any concept of time: pizza being served in the chow hall so it must be Friday, or a football game on TV so it must be Sunday. But it doesn't matter that it is Sunday because business must be done, a mission must be flown. The games are missed. (God bless those ground pounders who go for a year at a time.)
This isn't a sob story, but rather a small snapshot of what any military member must endure on a deployment overseas. Most of us are proud to do it. My time was up for this rotation on Groundhog’s Day. With my replacement in country and orders in hand, it was time to go home. U.S.A. here I come! Eventually.
Getting Home from War
The government had no problems sending me to war, why would I have any problems returning home from war? But it isn't so simple."
Read more about Matt Persiani's hitchhike home from Iraq: http://www.ypnation.net/hitchhiking-home-war
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