Week 7

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It has been quite some time since I have updated, and I apologize. It was only fitting that my last entry mentioned we would be getting busy, because the last few weeks have been non-stop. 14-16 hour days are normal. When we do get time off, I either sleep or stare blankly at my laptop, too tired to type.

Tomorrow, Iraq goes to the polls. You thought an election in America was crazy, try keeping up with over 300 political parties and more than 700 candidates for the 275 seats in the national assembly. The streets of Baghdad are lined with election posters. Big banners hang down from blast walls and arches, and as the big day approached, we could hear trucks with bullhorns touring the neighborhoods. There is a lot of excitement here.

Another plus is the Sunni participation. Out of power after the fall of Saddam, they boycotted the January interim elections. Fortunately, key religious leaders have recognized the importance of the elections and made startling decelerations to the insurgents, demanding they cease attacks for the next few days.

This hopefully means that Iraq will have a government again, after more than two years. A body the world can look at and respect as the true leaders of this war-torn country.

That is just a summary of what has been going on because I know some may not be up on the news. Now some war stories.

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Around Baghdad , firefights never last long these days. When insurgents attack convoys, we often speed through protected by our armored Humvees. The gunners fire off a few rounds from their .50 caliber machine guns and we are out of harms way. Later, Iraqi Security Forces and U.S. Infantry clear the area, but the threat is often gone by then.

Most of the heavy fighting takes place out west, in the Al Anbar Province. I have only heard stories of the area. My buddy went to Husaybah a few weeks ago after the Marines reclaimed the city. He described the look on their faces, and the city in ruin.

Late one night a few of us were playing games in a friend's room when the city erupted. We clamored out of our trailer and saw tracer bullets streaking up all around us. The sound of gunfire was everywhere. Thousands of bullets, thousands of people. It was an overwhelming sound.

I ran to my room barefoot, forgetting my sneakers, and grabbed by body-armor, helmet and rifle. Everyone was out of their trailers staring up at the red streaks with a look of curiosity and confusion.

Thoughts of the Tet offensive came to mind, like the scene in Full Metal Jacket. I envisioned the checkpoints around the Green Zone being overwhelmed. There was no way they could hold back all these people. It had to be a coordinated strike, just days before the election.

Adrenaline flows at a time like this. Do I run to a checkpoint and help, or do we fight from the Palace? It takes focus to keep it in check… to be patient ... to be disciplined and wait for some organization.

After several long minutes, a voice on the loudspeaker told us to take cover. They didn't believe it was hostile fire. That just left us more confused. The shooting contininued.

A few minutes later we finally had an answer. Iraq had beaten Syria in a soccer match, and the gunfire was the people of Iraq rejoicing. Thousands had taken to the streets and unloaded their rifles into the sky.

Gunfire continued into the night. It was a great day for Iraq . Some insurgents took the opportunity to attack during the chaos, but they were easily beaten back.

Then next day, the ground was littered with bullets. What goes up must come down.