How many of you have been to the middle east for military purposes, or know someone there now?

Question

if they have been injured or KIA plz leave details so we may give a moment of silence for those who served. **==

Answer 1

Thanks SG Wells,  I appreciate and value your service.

Answer 2

I was stationed on board the USS LaSalle AGF-3, Flag Ship for the Middle East Forces in 1978 -79 and was involved in the evacuation of foreign nationals from Bandar Abbas, Iran before the U.S. Embassy take over in November of 1979 (I left Bahrain early that morning and when we landed in London, we got word that the U.S. Embassy had been attacked).  We had a couple of incidents with 3 Iranian gun boats and with some Russian built MIG's from North Yemen.  

I have a friend (ex-F-18 pilot)and 3 U.S. Marines friends in Iraq.  Right now, I'm waiting on word to do a Welcome Home Mission with my Patriot Guard Riders brothers and sisters for a U.S. Navy sailor.  We were supposed to have done it this evening (Saturday).  We have been put on hold 3 days now.  MAYBE Sunday we will be able to do the mission.  We prefer greatly the Welcome Home Missions to the funerals.  

Answer 3

Mike was my room mate for 2 years in 2/505 at Fort Bragg.

Answer 4

When I get the chance (more rare of late), I watch the feed of Newshour with Jim Lehrer on SBS Australia. They have a roll of remembrance for the recently lost Americans. They run it in silence. It is worth watching, to see the faces of these people and give them their due respect.

Answer 5

i've served 12 months in Iraq in 2005, and 12 months in Afghanistan in 2007.  On both my deployments, I rolled outside the wire everyday and interacted with the local population.  the job i had there was very rewarding, and i have no regrets performing my duty overseas.  As for combat, i saw action in afghanistan and was awarded the bronze star after killing 4 Taliban fighters in a firefight.  In Iraq, the only action I ever saw was roadside bombs and snipers.  Al qaida was never brave enough to take on my guys toe to toe in a firefight like the Taliban had in Afghanistan.

I've never been wounded in combat, but have had friends that were. However, there are still more deployments to come for me in the future