Iraq: Balad

Shizfoshiz
Mobile

Worth visiting!

How this place changed my life

I was at Balad for 16 out of my 26 months in Iraq and Kuwait. I was an Army Contractor there. At times it was surreal, with all the T-walls and bunkers, incoming rockets and mortars, mixed with Taco Bell, Burger King, Pizza Hut and first-run movies in the AAFES theater…against a background of Jet and helo noise 7/24. Just a crazy, weird mix of war and small-town America. I met great people there that I miss terribly. I miss my hooch, especially. It was a world within a world that was at once a little risky, but also very safe and secure at the same time.
It changed my life because I went there a few days after my marriage of 17 years ended. Having been in-theater before, I knew the controlled environment would be good for me. I went there to heal, and Anaconda healed me. It’s kinda funny to think a person would go to Iraq to heal, but I did. I love Anaconda and my good memories of it will be with me forever.

Comments:

Adriannaa
0 places

Thanks

Your post about Iraq touched my heart. it was so pleasant to hear something beautiful about a man’s time there. I know it is difficult. No, no let me take that back. I can only imagine. It’s got to be a completely different experience to actually be there. I guess what I am saying is thank you for seeing some good withint the bad. For saying it’s a place you would recommend other’s to visit and for loving another part of the world just as you do your own country.

Adriana

Shizfoshiz
Mobile

*smile*

Thanks :)


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