I know this mindset.

I stumbled across this video this morning and it really brought me back. While holding my baby daughter in my arms I clicked on this video. I’ve never really spoken or written of the day I got hurt. The exact details and what happened to me when it actually happened still embedded in my brain. I’m talking about the spiritual event that occurred at the very moment of the explosion. Beyond the pain it was the mindset and feeling that I was about to leave my body and move on. The visions in my mind were quite peaceful and reassuring that it was ok. Not many people have had a near death experience and come back to tell about it. I’ve kept it sort of private because I didn’t really know how to describe it.

So I clicked on this video and literally found myself tearing up and remembering my moment. The day that my world was turned upside down. A warm morning in Ramadi. In what was probably seconds these were my thoughts.

If my writing seems scattered just bear with me and just try to envision it with the images you see in this video. Ok here goes. I had these images of my wife. Her holding our first baby girl the day she was born. A certain walk in the park that only she would remember. The smiles of our children while taking a picture at an apple orchard that we go to every year. A certain lazy Sunday, when it was not full of war. And one memory I will just keep to myself.

These thoughts all came to me in silence and in slow motion. I heard nothing during this moment. When I came to, the sound of the yelling, the sounds of the gunshots, and the sound of the helicopter coming to get me. All the images in this video brought it all back. I found myself watching it over and over and every time a knot would begin in my throat and my eyes glistening.

I am glad that I found it and I hope the man who made it never has to see this in his own vision.

Godspeed!

Click the ‘more’ link to see video

(more…)

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I am sure some of you know about this but I had to post one of many articles about it.

Anti-War E-Mail To GI Gets Worker Fired
Soldier Inquired About Shipping To Iraq

POSTED: 8:29 pm EST January 23, 2007
MILWAUKEE — A testy e-mail that’s now been circulated over the Internet has put a Muslim-owned business in hot water.

At issue was an e-mail exchange from earlier this month. Sgt. Jason Hess — who’s stationed in Taji, Iraq — e-mailed the company inquiring about floor mats.

The American GI e-mailed Bargain Suppliers of West Allis, Wisc., to ask if the company could ship to an APO address since he’s based in Iraq.

“Do you ship to APO addresses? I’m in the 1st Cavalry Division stationed in Iraq and we are trying to order some mats but we are looking for who ships to APO first,” the e-mail said.

A response e-mailed the same day said the company did not.

“And even if we did, we would NEVER ship to Iraq. If you were sensible, you and your troops would pull out of Iraq,” said the e-mail, which was signed “Bargain Suppliers.”

Bloggers spread the e-mail far and wide — along with the company’s address and phone number. It resulted in threats against the business and demands for a boycott. There was even a link to a photo of the home of one of the owners.

A TV station said the company has shut down its Web site, and fired the employee who sent the e-mail.

The soldier said that doesn’t make him any less angry about it.

A company vice president Sajid Nasir, meanwhile, said the main concern now is for the safety of the owners and their families. He said the firm’s owner has received threatening messages. He told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, “It’s really getting out of control.”

West Allis, Wis., police said they’re monitoring the situation but haven’t received reports of any crimes.

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Our newest addition to our family was born late last night. There are many reasons to call this baby a miracle. From almost giving my all in Iraq to watching as my new daughter took her first breath, I am a changed man forever. Something changed with her arrival. I can’t put my finger on it, but I can feel it.

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