The War Tapes

I just got back from watching "The War Tapes" (Trailer: http://www.thewartapes.com/trailer/).

Its the story of National Guard soliders in Iraq as told through their eyes, their camera shots. The movie disturbed me very much.

The movie disturbed me because it pulled on many strings to my life experiences. Though I have never fought in battle nor even been involved in a shooting as a police officer, there were enough occurrences that they shared that hit too close to to home. For instance, a team was running escort on the MSR (Main Supply Route) doing about 50 MPH when a girl exited a car on the side of the road and then inadvertently walked into the path of their HUMVEE. The collision threw her into the path of the 18-wheeler rigs that were in covoy. One after another, they rolled over ther until she was like hamburger (Read Tragedy on Sand Hill Road).

The scenes of predeployment, deployment, and return all struck home. W hen I was sent to Desert Storm I remember the fear and rumors that circulated while we prepared for deployment. I remember the fear and surrealism that this could not be happening as we loaded the bus for Travis AFB where we'd be flown OCONUS (outside continental Unites States).

I also remember the sahme I felt for not being in combat with my fellow soldiers in Iraq. I feel it today. Though I did my part, my fair share, I still felt that I had an oblogation to be there on the front lines. I was a soldier trained for combat, not guard duty in Germany. Yes, I understand the mission my platoon served in Germany was critical (law enforcement duty, counter terrorism readiness, and ammunition train security), it still wasn't enough. I feel that it has always been my destiny to be a soldier, first and foremost...certainly not the path I have taken in life today.

I am sad, ashamed, and mad as hell at our government (OK, President Bush) for ruining so many lives, innocent lives, and two countries.

Copyright (c), ANDY HOLMES, 2005