The Soldier Stories Page
Would you like to share your stories from Iraq and Afganistan with others on this website.
Then post a message using our Coalition of Troop Support Soldier Stories Form.
Read your fellow veteran's stories below.
Soldier Stories Posts
Young Girl
A U.S. soldier clings to an Iraqi child who died in a dual blast attack on Monday in Mosul, Iraq. Two Iraqi children were killed and 15 Iraqi citizens were injured in a combined suicide car bomb and improvised explosive device attack. (Michael Yon, U.S Army/AP Photo)
Maj. Bieger ..A photo of Pure compassion, as this lone Soldier hugs a child in protective hands with bowed head to whisper. Hold on honey, it'll be all right... As he rush's to get her aide. This child died .. (IED) she had little to protect her little body from the bomb. Her last moments were spent, in Loving arms. Those arms belonged to a U.S. Soldier... Who risked his heart, and felt the pain of her going. He will for ever carry her in a safe place in his heart... for she became part of him in that moment of risk. When he risk his heart for another people. This Photo will not been seen as much as the Prisoner with the panties on his head. This photo should be shown over & over, for though you can not see the face. This is the face of an American SOLDIER in one of his finest moments. He risks much every day... For Us and for those who WISH to live in peace. The Media in general would paint him with an ugly brush. Thanks to the Army Photographer who shot this Picture ... For the real American Soldier Picture. Again a Photo that won't be seen as often as it should be, we'd like to share it with you.
Tennessee Guard Unit Boots Donated by Danner
"Sue asked me to email the pictures of my son's unit from Tenneessee to you to put on the web. The Coalition out-fitted, almost, the whole unit with boots from Danner before they deployed on Feb 7, 2005."
Members of the unit (3/278th RCT), in addition to sending a letter of thanks, all signed a t-shirt and sent it to Danner in thanks.
Soldiers Requesting Supplies
Robert, 1st Bde, 24th Inf
They got one of my buddies other day, guy from Oregon always ended up on roof with him. Ied got him we need help not getting any support from unit with getting guys stuff your donation was a godsend but the way they do it here is cash only so it goes back into local community not ordering anything for us guys are literally buying oil for weapon systems. So we priced what we will need and like to have about $2.500.dollars. Sorry to attach a dollar amount to our chat but don't remember who those guys were who wanted to know what else we need we have to order everything from blackhawk or tactical tailor or olympic arms.
Hey guys just wanted to tell you thanks for the 100 something care packages we are steadily receiving now and thanks for the oldies music had to explain to the youngins who joe cocker and mel torme were. Thanks for the wide variety they are a big hit. the biggest are the smart wool socks unfortunately on todays modern battlefield joe schmuckatelli has to buy it himself if he wants it. I mean no system is in place to replace existing issue items only body armor and helmets and that is a headache, we could be a lot worse off if not for Coalition of Troop Support and Any Soldier.com to name a few you are truly great Americans for supporting us and as far as im concerned my heroes. I do wish to ask again for a grant of funds to be released to replace existing and wishful items that will make us more efficient and save lives. I'm a platoon sergeant now and I think I can take care of this with $ 2,500.00. I regret that my e-mail to you is thanks and can I have some more. As the honorable Donald Rumsfeld says we go to war with the army we have I understand this. What it boils down to now is the American people making us even greater. Once again thank you for your support and your cooperation is greatly appreciated. tell Mr. Coghdall thank you. from the men of 1-24 infantry strykers. love you Mom and Dad, your son Robert
They are so damn young
Name & Unit Withheld
I was going to the gym tonight (really just a huge tent with weights and treadmills), and we had heard that one of the MEUs (Marine Exp Units) that had come out of service in the "triangle" was reploying (leaving country). We saw their convoy roll in to the Kuwait Naval Base as the desert sun was setting. I have never seen anything like this.
Trucks and humvees that looked like they had just come through a shredder. Their equipment was full of shrapnel blast holes, and missing entire major pieces that you could tell had been blasted by IEDs. These kids looked bad too! I mean, sunken eyes, thin as rails, and that 1000 yd stare they talk about after direct combat. Made me pretty damn embarrassed to be a "rear area warrior". All people could do was stop in their tracks and stare... and feel like me...like I wanted to bow my head in reverance.
A Marine Captain stationed with me, was standing next to me also headed to the gym. He said, "part of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 8th Marines sir. Took the heaviest losses of any single unit up north as part of Task Force Danger, sir."
As the convoy rolled up, all of us watching just slowly crept toward these kids as they dismounted the hummers and 5 tons. Of course, we were all shiny and clean compared to these warriors. This kids looked like they had just crawled from Iraq. I had my security badge and id around my neck, and started to help them unload some of their duffle bags. A crusty Gunny came up to me and said "sir, you don't have to do that..." "Gunny... yes I do..."
They all looked like they were in high school, or younger!! All held themselves sharply and confident, despite the extreme fatigue you could tell they had endured. "You guys out of the triangle?" I asked. "Yes, sir". 14 months, and twice into the grinder sir" (both fights for Fallujah and ). All I could do was throw my arm around their shoulders and say "thanks Marine, for taking the fight to the bad guys...we love you man".
I looked at these young kids, not one of them complaining or showing signs of anything but focus, and good humor. 'Sir, they got ice cream at the DFAC sir?" "I havent had real ice cream since we got here..." They continued to unload... and after I had done my hand shakes and shoulder hugs, the Captain and I looked at each other... They want ice cream, we'll get them ice cream.
You see a squid O-5 and a focused Marine O-3 can get just about anything, even if the mess is closed. Needless to say, we raided the closed DFAC (mess tent), much to the chagrin of one very pissed off Mess SGT. and grabbed boxes of ice cream sandwiches (as many as we could carry), and hustled back to the convoy. I felt like Santa Claus.
"Thank you sir.." again and again from each troop as we tossed up the bars to the guys in the trucks. "Son, what the hell are you thanking me for...? I can't thank you enough..." and they are so damn young....I will sleep well knowing they are watching my back tonight.
