Gaining Culture While Deployed: The story of Orpheus and Eurydice

I was talking with Shalene the other day and random conversation led to the story of Orpheus. The internet is a powerful tool. 10 seconds later, one google inquiry and I am learning about a tragic love story.

Orpheus passionately loved a nymph named Eurydice. After their marriage, Eurydice was mortally bitten by a snake concealed in the grass. Orpheus was inconsolable and resolved to descend into the Underworld to reclaim his deceased wife. With his musical charms he convinced Hades and Persephone to take back his wife to the world of the living. Their sole proviso was that upon taking Eurydice back to Earth Orpheus should not look back upon her. Tragically, upon reaching the uppermost gates, Orpheus turned back. At once she was whisked back to the infernal regions, this time forever.
Orpheus did not live long after this tragedy. Some accounts say that he took his life by suicide while others claim that he was murdered by Thracian women who were infuriated at his never ending love for a single woman.

• PS. Someone help me realize this post leaves too much to the imagination. My intent was to share a story that often makes its way into modern culture without the details. I wanted to share a little culture. Shalene actually reminded me that she sang an aria of Orpheus' lament in Senior recital. Enjoy.

• Also, Dont worry. Shalene has not been bitten by a snake and taken to hell. Although, I would travel to hell and back for her, this is not a tragedy we have to deal with.

Flashback to Hawijah before 1-87 IN

Hawijah: A small city with big problems- Oct 06

War Stories: Staring down a truckload of death- OCT 06

U.S. night patrols in Iraq require balancing act- MARCH 07

This is what we inherited in September 07. Now 11 months later this region is dramatically different.

1-87 IN Battalion showcased in the news.

As many of you know, we have acheived great success on our deployment. The result is attention from the US Army commanders, Iraqi government officials and national media.



I have not done a great job sharing what is happening here, so in an attempt to unveil the work I do, I will link several articles that have been written recently as a reporter traveled through our area.

1. "A tweaked approach, a little money and a reconciliation program have helped one unit tame the violent Hawijah area"
2. "Hawijah progress continues after walls come down"
3. "Pilot program helps 'Sons of Iraq' learn literary skills to land jobs"
4. "Soccer game showcases unity, progress in Iraq"
5. "Hawijah drivers will no longer have to move aside for U.S. convoys"

There are usually complaints that the national media only focuses on the negative and likes to sensationalize the current events. I suppose we have proven that if you give them a positive picture, they have no choice but to write positive articles.

Our success continues to be considered ground-breaking across Iraq. I hope that the sacrifices we have made brings the Iraqi people closer to a safe and democratically free country. Eventually bringing a group of Americans that work hard for others benefits back to safe place they call home.

Our Battalion changing the way things are done.

Due to many successes and hardwork, the Summitt Battalion has delved into a new realm of relations in the Iraqi community.
We are participating in a regional soccer tournament against Iraqi District League teams.
The story gained recognition and is told by ABC news. The following link is to the article and the second is to the video clip.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/Story?id=5214020&page=1

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5214291&affil=wjla

Enjoy the read. Its really ground breaking. The security improvements allowed us to move towards a more humanitarian mission focus. We have taken along with that challenge a mission to normalize life for the Iraqis (the best we can for current times) and humanize or soften the soldierly image we portray. We often remind key leaders in the area to not confuse our new image with weakness. We continue to ruthlessly capture anyone committing criminal, terrorist acts or aiding those who do.

Ancient Warfare influencing Modern Times.

The use of horses in battle can be traced back to as early as 800 BC. The increased speed, maneuverability and ability to overpower your enemy led to the development of the cavalry. Later, a new class of cavalry developed called Dragoons. They moved to battle on horses but dismounted to fight.

Eventually, the horse was replaced by horse power. The bow by the rifle. Many more significant improvements and we arrive at the modern Infantry.

The basic necessity for speed and power remain. We use vehicles to give us the advantage of speed, maneuverability through difficult terrain and improved armor for protection.

Meet the horse that delivers me to battle.

The CAIMAN.

My modern chariot weighs 19 tons and is powered by a very large deisel engine. It carries 9 warriors to battle protected by state of the art armor.

Okay, so when you ride in it feels closer to a Winnebago in size. Although its not nearly as comfortable. Well maybe that has something to do with the 60 lbs of equipment and body armor I wear.

Oh well, that is the plight of the modern warrior.

The Big Fives

5 Things on my list to do

1. Plan operations for next week (death by Powerpoint we call it)
2. Inventory equipment from my Platoon
3. Chat with my wife
4. Watch movies
5. Sleep (we are on Patrol Base security... I have a lot of free time)

5 snacks I enjoy

1. Doritos
2. Tostitos and salsa
3. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
4. Icecream sandwiches
5. Sunflower seeds

5 things i would do if I suddenly became a billionaire

1. Invest in the market and Real Estate and make the money work for me
2. Travel (1,000 places to see before you die)
3. Donate to charities focused on children
4. Large house, middle of nowhere with a long driveway and an airfield
5. Eliminate my family's debt (no more monkeys)

5 Places I've lived

1. Army: Northern Iraq (undisclosed for Security); FT Drum, NY; FT Benning, GA and three lousy Ranger training camps
2. Sterling, VA; Fredericksburg, VA (I loved the location but traffic is unbearable)
3. Boone, NC (my favorite)
4. Raleigh, NC
5. 2yrs in Kobe, Japan

* There are still more locations but only asked for 5. I stretched it a bit.

5 Jobs I've held

1. Current- Infantry Rifle Platoon Leader
2. Velux Skylight Account Representative
3. Ski Instructor (Greatest job ever, if you can call it a job)
4. Closetmaid shelving Installer
5. Circuit City Salesman

* Lots of other small part time jobs.

5 things people don't know about me ( but not for long)

1. I have minor anxiety moments when I can't get in touch with my wife
2. Despite all I have accomplished, my largest demon is Laziness
3. Losing my hair this early actually does bother me
4. I have no idea what I want to do when I grow up
5. I read emails and facebook responses yet rarely leave a reply (a strange habit that has nothing to do with being busy)

5 people I tag
......
No one specific. I like to read people's responses but I will not pressure anyone.

Back From A Long Hiatus!

Ironically, I am also back to my current job after more than a month off. The Army graciously allowed me to take 18 days of Rest and Recuperation leave (with travel time amounted to 32 days total) as a small benefit for 15 months of servitude in the desert.

My lovely wife encouraged me to begin posting again and at her prompting you will now enjoy more frequent updates of my life from the third world country I call home.

I guess 2 1/2 years without a post is more than just writer's block; it is blog neglect. Alot has happened in since I graduated Ranger School.

The short version:
-moved to Fort Drum, NY (30 miles from Canada and one of the coldest places in America)
-prepared a rifle platoon for deployment to Iraq
-deployed September '07 to Northern Iraq

Current situation:
We live in a patrol base (think remote, defensive base built to allow our Infantry company to operate and live closer to the people we provide security for) that is our home away from home.
We are located to the southwest of Kirkuk, near the Tigris river. The area is significantly less populated and more safe than the large cities that occupy headlines in the news.
The demographics of our area and isolation from many of the organized insurgent groups allows us to perform and operate more humanitarian missions.
I am the Platoon Leader and therefore the face of the war effort on a day to day basis. Although I am trained in tactics and weaponry, I apply my knowledge and training to help provide security, improve the infrastructure and establish the local government.
My actual role is to coordinate with many local leaders in villages, local security forces and villagers to assess their needs and find a solution through the Iraqi government to fix their problems. So, I guess I am more similar to a politician than a fighter.

We have about 8 months left in our deployment. I will try to send more updates and post a few pictures from my small portion of the war front.