I am on my way home, my journey beginning last evening at the Camp Fallujah LZ. The night air was brisk, the moonlight filtered through a thin haze of dust and fog. The 46's and 53's rolled in wave after wave, boarding faceless Marines, one vague silouhette after another, barely perceptable as they sauntered across the LZ toward the awaiting helos. The chop of the rotors cutting their "thwop-thwop" sounds in the air, Marines and sailors eager to leave the Camp behind to their successors.
I am still in theater, several days coser to the charter flight that will wisk us from the middle east to Europe, a quick layover, catching our first beer in months, a precursor to the final leg of our journey.
I am looking forward to the reunion with my family. Yet, ironically, I am saddened to leave this god-forsaken place, to leave behind the Marines with whom I've lived and worked, my brothers, the men who are part of me and I them. I don't want to leave, not just yet, I haven't finished what I started, Please, I'm not ready to go....
It is time. A confusing time. Happy and sad. As if I'm losing something; It's hard, I don't understand why it has to feel this way...The end of my journey is close at hand. The long road home has begun.
14 comments:
Safe journey back...you have done some great work. Thanks you keeping us informed here.
Tim
Craig,
Call me when you get back to the WNY. Or will you go to Quantico?
Macon
Craig,
Thank you for all your wonderful and thoughtful stories of Iraq. Hope you'll continue to blog once you return to the States as I'm sure you still have many interesting tales to share.
Best wishes for a safe trip home.
Carol
Welcome Home! Just found your site--now that you're done over there! That's my luck for you! Anyway, Thank You for doing what you do, for telling the real story for us. And Thank You for keeping us free. I am grateful.
Craig- Bravo Zulu on a job well done. I am much relieved to know you are out bound and heading for the freedom bird. Give me a shout when things settle down and I'll ride my Ultra over to MCB, Quantico and give you a look. After two tours in Iraq, NFNF will be a good rest. Wayne.
Thanks for your very informative blogs. I've enjoyed them all. I continue to be proud & grateful for all our great military. Safe travels, Sir - Katy
Craig,
I am happy to hear you are heading home! You brought a lot of kindness and thoughtfulness with your job and I know that each Marine, Sailor, Soldier & Airman appreciated talking with you, as did I. Thank you for the friendship, words of wisdom & encouragement and your blog!
Safe travels Sir, and thanks for sharing your bitersweet feelings about leaving the country and your Marines. Hopefully you'll have more entries to share with us, once you've gotten home and reunited with your family and loved ones that is!
Hello everyone - I'm writing this post from a comfortable little internet cafe at one of our logistics support areas (LSA) in Kuwait. Thanks for the comments. I'll be posting again on ground in Quantico. Craig
Welcome home and thank you for all of your posts. It was more valuable that you will ever know.
Will I see you in 2007 at Michael Fay's exhibit?
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
And Welcome Home! I figure this is late enough that you'll be here by the time you read it ;)
Semper Gratus!
Welcome home!
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