I just saw this video and it brought back memories that I thought I had pushed so far back into my mind that I figured I'd never remember them again. Myself and many U.S. Marines from Jackson Mississippi and surrounding areas were a part of Operation Matador. 9 marines from another unit were lost on the day covered in this video but over the course of the operation, we lost many more. I cannot put into words what it felt like or how we endured those days.
I think I can speak for most of my fellow Marines in saying this. The American people have no idea what war does to a man. It changes you and even if you come out without a scratch, sometimes no amount of counseling can fix the mental pain of losing your comrades or carrying their bodies to be flown away. Or, possibly taking a life to preserve yours and your fellow Marine. After seeing so many dead people, you become immune to it. You start to lose yourself in the blur of days that stretch on. After hearing so many gun shots and explosions you start to flinch less and then one day you just don't run at all. Some days, you find yourself running towards the gun fire as you hear the rounds whiz passed your head. You rely on your training and instincts. You find out if you're a coward or a Man. You become fearless, or so it seems. Truth is, you're scared every single day, that fear can either save you or get you killed along with others. Every other day outside the wire you're exhausted, you're starving or you're sleepless somewhere you never thought you'd be. And somehow you keep going.
You build bonds with Men and women that can literally be dead in an instant. You struggle to create some resemblance of normality in your day to day life, then something happens to bring reality crashing back to you. Something like this. I Salute each and every Marine, Soldier and Airman I've ever served with. You have my Respect and unwavering loyalty.
This video effects me so much because we were there. Why did I ever try to forget. To the Devil Dogs I served with, you are my brothers, forever.
