Shaffer
04-24-03, 10:07 AM
They came to Iraq driven by a desire to fight terrorism, protect their homes and families from weapons of mass destruction, or simply to "shoot bad guys."
But as the U.S. Marines begin pulling south, handing control over to the Army, many say their lasting memory will be the jubilant people who came running out to thank them as they rolled through the adobe villages - many unchanged since biblical times - and the crumbling streets of Saddam Hussein's neglected cities.
"It has been a humbling experience," said Capt. Lauren Edwards, 27, of Smiths Grove, Ky., a member of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. "We'll go back to our trucks and our Harleys, democracy and capitalism. ... I don't think you could even describe to anyone how people live here."
Many were excited about the chance to do what they had always trained for - to kill the enemy. But thoughts of glory quickly receded once they heard bullets for the first time or felt the ground shake from artillery.
"I just want to make it home to my family," said Capt. Kevin Digman, 30, after narrowly evading an artillery round aimed at his helicopter and coming under machine gun fire as he lifted wounded Iraqi prisoners and civilians to safety.
"I honestly don't care about medals," said the helicopter pilot from Muncie, Ind.
http://www.modbee.com/24hour/nation/story/864607p-6041852c.html
But as the U.S. Marines begin pulling south, handing control over to the Army, many say their lasting memory will be the jubilant people who came running out to thank them as they rolled through the adobe villages - many unchanged since biblical times - and the crumbling streets of Saddam Hussein's neglected cities.
"It has been a humbling experience," said Capt. Lauren Edwards, 27, of Smiths Grove, Ky., a member of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing. "We'll go back to our trucks and our Harleys, democracy and capitalism. ... I don't think you could even describe to anyone how people live here."
Many were excited about the chance to do what they had always trained for - to kill the enemy. But thoughts of glory quickly receded once they heard bullets for the first time or felt the ground shake from artillery.
"I just want to make it home to my family," said Capt. Kevin Digman, 30, after narrowly evading an artillery round aimed at his helicopter and coming under machine gun fire as he lifted wounded Iraqi prisoners and civilians to safety.
"I honestly don't care about medals," said the helicopter pilot from Muncie, Ind.
http://www.modbee.com/24hour/nation/story/864607p-6041852c.html