Jim Spiri in Iraq

Third Platoon was on dismounted patrols during most of the times I was present recently. For that reason, I was able to accompany them more frequently than the others. Among each platoon, there are three squads, of which I've come to know each of them at separate times. Yet, 2nd Squad, led by Sgt. Keller, I've become most familiar with. And this is why I must write about them. It is only because I've spent more time with them and they too became familiar with me on a regular basis.

Third Platoon is commanded by Lt. Orr, a tall young man, in his mid to latter 20's, yet is looking older these days from all his experiences. He was prior enlisted with the Marines before he became an officer.
He was here in Fallujah during 2004, and participated routinely in combat operations when times were more volatile than they are nowadays. Put simply, he is a well seasoned combat marine who now leads marines into the same areas he was once being led through. If ever there was a case for "Leading by example," Lt. Orr fits that billing. He is very, very good at what he does.

I have had at length discussions with Lt. Orr on many occasions. He has told me about "Phantom Fury" in November of 2004, when Fallujah bore the brunt of many brutal days. We've talked about the direction of this war, the progress, the setbacks and a whole host of other details that pass the time when opportunity arises. He recently told me of his first month on his current deployment here how he held the hand of a wounded Marine that was blown up in an IED attack as he was rushed to Fallujah surgical, the hospital that treats the casualties. He told me how that explosion was the most massive he had seen and how devastating it can be. He's also told me of his future plans one day to teach history back in Ohio.

I remember him well the day I was on a rooftop with 2nd squad when we took fire. Lt. Orr was on the horn, from another location, directing his three squads in the subsequent assault on the school. I've watched him in the locals’ houses as he constantly keeps a watchful eye on each patrol and each squad's movements. And we have talked at length at what the media does and does not report. In short, I've trusted his judgment and put my well being under his direction and would continue to do so anywhere at anytime. We've talked about he is around the age that my marine son Jesse would have been now, perhaps doing the same things. I found in Lt. Orr a man of dedication, honor and a warrior in the truest sense of the word. And his marines follow his lead well.

Then there is Sgt. Keller, the squad leader of 2nd squad. It was he whom I captured on audio during the firefight back in early June, again on a roof top in Fallujah. He's small in stature, thin in build, but a leader with a command in his voice that beckons those under him to follow in unison. He's made me laugh on many occasions and has kept me up late at night talking with a crowd of his marines. He is always first to invite me to anything that is going on and takes a keen interest in what it is I am doing. He also has assisted me in many times with computer functions in the downloading of photos for storage. I will always remember listening with him the playback of the audio of the firefight. We had spent an hour or so figuring out how these gadgets work, and then, at around 0300, the night we returned from the patrol where we took contact, we played the audio that I had taken of the events. All those that were on the rooftop then, listened intently as the sounds of hours earlier replayed for all to hear. That night, they learned that I was there for them, not just for myself.

There is LCPL Andy Seitz, whose family has emailed me inquiring as to his well being. I have a good photo of LCPL Seitz that I will one day put on my wall at home. There's Wasley, a PVT, with a sense for combat that is unmatched. He's rough, but highly skilled.
And there's LCPL Ray Giselle, whose imitation of spider man is hilarious. He's little, wirey and yet serious as a heart attack while on patrol. And then there's "Bisquit". He seems to be Sgt. Keller's right hand man and he takes directions without an iota of hesitation. We've talked about when he was wounded and how he has come closer to the Lord. He wants to visit Australia one day, and I would love to find a way for him to go there. There's LCPL Alex Gartner, whose family has also emailed me. He seems to be in lots of photos that I've taken and one day I'll forward all of them to his family. There's "doc", the Navy corpman who carries more weight than most of the others with his supplies. And then there is LCPL Sean Dunnigan, also wounded on this deployment, who was the first one to look after me on my first patrol with 2nd Squad. I've come to learn more and more about this Irish kid from New Jersey, whose a warrior I can always count on. And there a some others whose names slip me at the moment, but whose actions will always be in my memory. Together, they are 2nd Squad, 3rd Platoon, Golf Company 2/6. And they are my friends.

On patrol with them July 11, we were to head into the industrial area. There was a serious tone amongst them all prior to exiting the FOB and setting out.
Always they are serious for patrols, but on this day, they were more attuned to things. For they, were heading back to the area where some of them had been shot just a couple months ago. They knew it was rougher where we would go this time. But they never skipped a beat and headed out as they do each time doing their job, looking straight ahead.

As we were "pushing" on the patrol crossing the one street that separates the sector from residential to industrial, I was paired with LCPL Ray Giselle. Four marines crossed first at a brisk clip. Myself and Giselle and two behind us were next. Gissele looked at me and said, "Jim, do you know where we're going now?" I replied, "Yes, the industrial area." He then said, "It's bad here, be careful." I had known this already, but there, at that very moment, I had LCPL Giselle basically telling me, "I've got your back."

This is the crux of what I have learned being among these marines here in Fallujah. It all comes down to one thing. They cover each other. They've got your back. Time and time again, as I've interviewed them and asked them questions, it always comes back to what they've learned not just in theory, but now in full practice. It is more than comradre, which is what most of us outside the corps might think. It is a way of life, survival, that issues in the practicality of really covering your fellow warrior's back, if and when the time comes. And it will come. It is something that is hard to convey without living it.
It is their daily life in every aspect of the word.
They live together in the war zone, to bring each other home. This is what I've come to know and experience in reality among all the marines I've come in contact with here in Iraq. But 2nd squad, 3rd platoon, just happend to be the class I learned it from more intently.

Close to midnight, the patrol was completed and we were brought back to FOB Reaper. That night, we were all tired. It was good to be back and be able to rest. I was to leave again the next afternoon for camp Fallujah, to take care of some matters that required my attention. On July 12, late in the summer afternoon, I caught a ride with 2nd squad and Lt. Orr, to camp Baharia. I would stay there the night, and proceed to camp Fallujah in the morning. Of course, I was asked about returning, and I explained that I would be back.

The next morning I found my way to camp Fallujah. I caught a ride with the mail truck. I settled into my now familiar quarters the PAO folks set up for me, and I began to organize my things. In the late afternoon, I decided to go to evening chow. Walking over there with a friend, LCPL Hruby, I had been talking about my experiences to him about 3rd platoon. We gathered our food, sat down, thanked the Lord for our food and began to enjoy the meal. Much to my surprise, I looked up and low and behold, it was 2nd squad all visiting camp Fallujah and stopped by for a good meal.

Hand shakes, smiles, jokes and grins all took center stage as the "grunts" from 3rd Platoon all sat down where I was. It was a site to see. I already look out of place being an old civillian with long hair and a beard, but now accompanied by the "grunts" from Reaper, brought to attention our table in the chow hall. It had only been one day since I had seen them, but it had been a long time since any of them had come to camp Fallujah. Eating this meal with them was a real blessing. I had been part of them and they knew it. And they are now a part of me, and I know it.

I will return to Golf Company in the days ahead, but not before visiting other places in Iraq that have requested my presence. I will report on my upcoming travels as time permits. In the mean time, Golf Company will be busy and it will be hot in Iraq.

Jim Spiri
camp Fallujah, Iraq
jimspiri@yahoo.com