By Jim Spiri
June 11, 2008
It’s June now, 2008. I’ve been back stateside for over half a year now. During that time I was able to visit several states, gave a few talks, saw the kids and grandkids, and tried to settle into the day to day routine of what happens next. I’m pondering the situation that all of us are facing these days and I find myself quite startled at what is going on all around me. Let’s take a look at what I mean.
The war in Iraq continues. Each day I watch closely and follow from afar what I can as best I can. It gnaws at me that I am not there at the moment. Lately, I have kept informed on Afghanistan as well. A friend or two whom I was able to patrol with in Iraq have found themselves in Afghanistan doing more of the same with less. Day to day in these two places keep me a little ahead of the curve ball stateside with all the other recent economic realities that tear at each of us like an open wound.
Gasoline prices have most of us on high alert here at home. No longer is it a matter of will prices rise, rather now it is how far will it continue to spiral out of control. I personally drive a little four cylinder Nissan Frontier pick up with a small matching camper shell on it, in the event I find needing to live out of it should the economy really tank. I’m quite thankful it is paid for (it is a 2004 with 30,000 miles on it) but even at 25-30 mpg, it still cost me nearly $60 to fill it up these days. I’m coming to the realization that soon it will cost close to $100 to fill it up, probably by this coming Labor Day in September.
Then there is the grocery store which my wife and I find ourselves going to less and less frequently these days. Seems as though it was a good time for me to lose some of that winter weight now that eating has become a luxury rather than a necessity. I’ve dropped 20-lbs, and walking 20-25 miles per week to adjust to the continual and what seems like daily price hikes at the store. I’m glad I learned the word “adapt”, in the phrase, improvise, adapt and overcome. Now it’s a matter of survival, probably always was.
Then there is the political arena that has taken the country by storm. No doubt the Democratic nomination process has been front and center lately, but during that time I found myself once again speaking with Sen. John McCain as recently as Memorial Day here in Albuquerque. Now, the real race for the White House has truly begun and just as the summer heat bears down on us here in the high desert, the same is true across the country between the two Senators, McCain and Obama. It should be quite a spectacle to say the least in the weeks and months leading up to the general election this fall in November.
Then there is this matter called employment. I have found myself working on an “on call” basis at the flight line at Kirtland AFB here in Albuquerque supporting air tankers during fire season. It pays a whopping $11 an hour, which is a dollar an hour less than I was making at the same job in 2006, prior to my departure for the middle east. It’s a struggle to say the least and I find myself vying for work hours with retired US Forest Service employees who seem to think it is comical that they don’t call me very often. None of the ones I’ve worked with here have ever been on a combat patrol yet and are quick to tell me how stupid I was to not get a real job as opposed to walking the streets of Fallujah or Mosul with America’s finest. There are times I just have to walk away from a conversation and count to one hundred or more.
During my time in Iraq dodging bullets with young warriors from all across this land, never once did anyone call me stupid. On the contrary, they gave me to eat and gave me to drink for I was the least among the brethren. I was always content.
Now with all that out of the way, it brings me to a place I seem to have visited many times since October when my journey took a break and reality seemed to be a bit on the obscure side of the spectrum. Homeward bound is a relative term. An old friend of mine who was a sailor on river boat patrols in Viet Nam back in the late 1960’s told me of a song he heard on his way home from Viet Nam. The lyric went, “ I’m getting closer to my home…” When he told me that back in 1974, I mentioned that it must have been a good feeling. He told me at that time that he would never feel at home again after his experiences in Viet Nam. I did not understand what he meant for I was just 19-years-old at the time and had not been to far away places yet. But 34-years later, I am just now beginning to understand what my friend George meant.
I’ve spent a lot of time working my garden these days. The wind here in the spring in the desert causes much grief for the avid gardener. But I keep pressing on, sowing, replanting, with a view to an eventual harvest. It’s not about saving money on veggies or the thought of growing my own food to beat the system. Rather, it’s simply about starting and finishing a seemingly unimportant task that carries much weight throughout the learning process. Seems these days having a shovel, a rake and a hoe in my hand, digging in the dirt and fighting the elements makes more sense than trying to beat the system that gives me high grocery prices, high gasoline prices or political rhetoric that makes my eardrums burst.
On Memorial Day I was surrounded by more than 2500 veterans from many wars, both from the distant past and the more recent. It is where I was invited to photograph John McCain. He did not speak about anything political so much at that venue on this day. Rather, he spoke a language that all around me, including myself understood clearly. Later that day, I spent some time with him at a different place and it was more private. There he spoke some political words and the audience was about a dozen folks including myself. I took the photos I promised I would and distributed them accordingly, for free as usual.
Earlier that Memorial Day weekend, Candi and I went to Jesse’s gravesite and placed three flags. He lays between veterans on his left and right, above and below. It was peaceful, but sorrowful. In the end, there will come a day when there will be no more tears. That’s the day I’m looking for. In the meantime I struggle with not only where to go from here, but how on earth to pull it off. It’s a simple burden. However, like gardening, there are obstacles. I know where I am, I know where I should be, it’s just all the in-between details that seem to be restricting my goal.
Adapt, improvise and overcome. I am clear it is all part of becoming an overcomer. Looking forward to each and everyone’s reply.
Sincerely,
Jim Spiri
Jimspiri@yahoo.com
Comments (15)
It is great to read your blog again. Time sure has flown by. My son is safe at home for now at his duty station. He like you, does the news. Any life changing event makes us different.
Keep up the good work. I look forward to reading more. I enjoy your observations on the world around us.
Keep safe, happy and well.
Posted by Kathy PMM of Corporal Charles(Iraq2008) | June 10, 2008 8:38 AM
Posted on June 10, 2008 08:38
Hi Jim,
Glad you're back! Just as time is passing for you, it has here also. A lot of changes for me as I will be a grandmother for the first time next month and my brother Ray (Godzilla) will be having his son in August. Our family will be overwhelmed with babies and it will be refreshing!
It seems that the Marines of 2/6 Golf Co. are doing a fine job pro-creating also(hoorah). Several of my brother's friends are also expecting in the near future! I hope that when those fine Marines look into the eyes of their child they will understand more fully the worth of their sacrafices.
Stay well Jim!
Tracey
Posted by MarineSister | June 10, 2008 10:20 AM
Posted on June 10, 2008 10:20
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the - Web Reconnaissance for 06/10/2008 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day...so check back often.
Posted by David M | June 10, 2008 12:52 PM
Posted on June 10, 2008 12:52
Tracey;
That would be a good thing, if it turns out the returning vets are much inclined to make babies to reconnect and extend. Maybe being swarmed by Iraqi kids turned their thoughts that way.
Posted by Brian H | June 10, 2008 1:24 PM
Posted on June 10, 2008 13:24
Jim;
If you want medium-term hope for the future, oil-free, check out focusfusion.org . The site is a bit hand-made, with some items needing updating, but there's plenty to get you up on their efforts.
So Sh, Sherlock, it could result in total replacement of the power-generating infrastructure, here and worldwide, with output at a fraction of a cent per kwh. Oil prices would tank, and a world of projects now too costly to contemplate would become viable.
Worth pushing hard for, IMO.
Posted by Brian H | June 10, 2008 1:29 PM
Posted on June 10, 2008 13:29
Good to read your post again. I started reading and had to answer the phone. It was my oldest son, David, who is at Ft. Riley, KS, training for his trip to Baghdad. Said he may leave next month.
Dale, my youngest, the one you wrote about, came back in February. He is back in Colorado Springs and seems to have settled in well.
We all know that John is not a perfect candidate, but I would vote for anyone (I almost said the devil) before I would vote for a muslem hiding out as a Christian.
I think we will hear a lot more about the senator that will make his choice of churches, affiliations, wife's thoughts, etc. seem like high praise.
Wade
Posted by Wade Johnson | June 10, 2008 2:08 PM
Posted on June 10, 2008 14:08
Mr. Spiri,
It was so good to read your writing again. You always have a way of just getting right to the soul of a matter. You may remember our son, Luke and our son-in-law, Michael that you met in Mosul with the 1st Cavalry Division, 4th BCT. Both couples got married in January here in Memphis and immediately moved to Fort Bliss in El Paso. And, both couples are expecting. One due in October, one in November. My niece, whose husband is currently in Afghanistan with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit just had a baby in March.
Both boys reenlisted for six more years. So, it is inevitable that they will deploy again.
I hate to say it here for all to read, but all three of these couples wanted to have babies right away just in case the worst were to happen, God forbid. My husband's cousin's son was killed last June in Iraq. He had just been married 3 months when he deployed with the 25th Infantry Division (up near where our boys were and we didn't even know he was there at the time). Anyway, seeing his beautiful young wife all alone like that at the funeral sealed it in my girl's minds. No waiting.
And we couldn't be happier about being grandparents! My husband already has his Christmas day planned out.....leaning back on the couch with two little babies asleep on his big ole soft belly! That's if any of us can afford to get together with these gas prices and food prices.
Oh, and just so everyone knows, all the military guys we know, whether they know much about politics or not, say they DO NOT want to serve under Barrack Hussein Obama. It would be a slap in our Military's face to make him Commander In Chief!
God bless
Sheila Turpin
Posted by Sheila Turpin | June 10, 2008 5:58 PM
Posted on June 10, 2008 17:58
Mr. Spiri,
Good to hear from you. Your blogs and pictures of the troops kept me going as my son was deployed in Fallujah last year. His name is Mike Zeno and he is with the 2/6 Golf Co Marines. He will be leaving on his second deployment in August.
Just last week my oldest son was deployed to Kuwait. His name is Nick Zeno and he is with the Coast Guard. This is his second deployment.
Not sure how I will handle both sons gone at the same time but I do know that your blogs have been a blessing to me and I hope will continue to be in the future.
Even though I pray daily for my sons safety; along with all the troops serving in the middle east, hearing first hand news from your blogs helps ease the anxiety and waiting for that phone call or email from a loved one.
Thanks again,
Proud to be a military mom,
Tami Pallotta
Posted by Tami Pallotta | June 10, 2008 10:18 PM
Posted on June 10, 2008 22:18
Mr. Spiri,
thank you for your story and all that you do.
Just took my son, Brent to the airport this past Friday for his return to Iraq. Hard to let him go. we have to trust that God will keep him safe. God is so good (all the time!!)
Thanks again!
Dana
Posted by Dana Fletcher Payne | June 10, 2008 10:48 PM
Posted on June 10, 2008 22:48
Dear Jim....it's 0520 in the morning and we're having a Duststorm out here once again.. i've never seen it dusty this late and this often. Must be Global Warming or El Nino Iraq style.... The flightline where we both covered many miles on foot is covered in a thin layer of silica dust and the morning sun is coloring this dustfilled air into a creepy orange gloom.
A big C5 just turned it's nose towards the runway blowing up even more dust, after being delayed for hours. He's is now roaring in the background ready to take off. You know the smell, the sound... we loaded up 3 conexes and helped out the crew just like in the old days...
It's my 5th summer here Jim and some guys from ATOC back in 04 are here once again...they still remember you and ask what you do. I tell them you're in politics now...lol. I too need to come home one day... not just for R&R but for good...but in some strange way i am comfortable right where i am... so much has changed here, but the memories of what we did here, what we pulled off some time, they'll always remain.
Posted by Paul Van Willigenburg | June 11, 2008 12:01 AM
Posted on June 11, 2008 00:01
Hey Jim,
It was read to read your story, in fact it put a smile on my face. It's always comforting to know that someone like yourself is available to talk with and read about.
My son Jimmy (2/6 Golf) will be deploying again in August, so here we go again. We know he's in good hands, Gods hands.
I read all these responses and can't help but think of all the people you must have touched in your life, we are forever grateful Jim.
Regards,
Gary Bernard
Posted by Gary Bernard | June 11, 2008 12:36 AM
Posted on June 11, 2008 00:36
Long time, no see Jim,
I'm kicking it here back in the states and can't help but want to be back in the simpler times of Mosul. You know.....way back when. I'm tired of all this B.S., fighting, and arguing over nothing while we the American people do nothing about the ever changing economy, gas prices, so on and so forth. Its a scary time to be us. One can't help but wonder if we will ever get back to the way we were.
Otherwise, a good Article as usual Jim. I hope something comes your way that is good.
SGT De Carlo
Posted by SGT De Carlo, Thomas | June 12, 2008 7:12 PM
Posted on June 12, 2008 19:12
Mr. Spiri,
Good to read you again! Hehe.
Seriously, it has been too long since you've shared your talent with us Mr. Spiri. Whether you are writing after a day with our soldiers or after months at home, you have a way of opening eyes and making complete sense no matter what anyone's position is in this world.
On a more personal note, it was great to finally meet both you and your lovely wife at the Ball. I was and continue to be more than honored. You both and your families are still in my prayers. I hope that one day you garner enough support to accomplish your goal of being there with some of our other heroes. I am surprised and saddened that you did not receive the same support we gave, despite how little we were able to help.
God bless!!
Posted by Valerie Mansapit | June 13, 2008 6:27 PM
Posted on June 13, 2008 18:27
Jim,
It was theraputic to hear your feelings upon return to the US. When I came back from Belize and Mexico, I found the adjustment difficult, also.
Take care,
Dana
Posted by Dana Heacox | June 13, 2008 7:38 PM
Posted on June 13, 2008 19:38
Thank you for sharing so much of what's in your heart with all of us.
I remember this time last year when I anxiously turned to your blog for daily news of my son and his 2/6 Golf Co. brothers in Fallujah.
Please continue write and don't hesitate to ask if there is ever anything I can do to lend a hand.
With much gratitude,
Debbie Kirrane
Boston, MA
Posted by Debbie | June 24, 2008 4:39 PM
Posted on June 24, 2008 16:39