Walter Dean Myers - Sunrise Over Fallujah

To the men and women, now serving, or who have served, in the United States Armed Forces, and to all the families who have anxiously awaited their safe return.

February 27, 2003

Dear Uncle Richie,

When I was home on leave I reread the letters you sent from Vietnam to my father. In one of them you said you were always a little nervous once you arrived in country. Were not in Iraq yet, but thats the way I feel, kind of jumpy. At one of our orientations (and we have at least two a week) an officer said that guys who fought in Nam wouldnt even recognize todays army. Were supposed to be so cool and well trained and everything. I hope so. I was thinking that maybe your eyes wouldnt recognize todays army but Ill bet your stomach would.

I cant tell you where we are right now, but its less than a hundred miles from the Iraq border. What our army should do is to take photographs of all the military stuff we have over here and then send copies to the Iraqis. That would end things right then and there. I really think the Iraqis will back down at the last minute and hand over their weapons and well just have to put in a handful of military police to take care of business while the political people do their thing. I dont expect anybody to be shooting at us.

You were right, though, when you said I would have doubts about my decision to join the army. You joined a war that had already started; I thought this would be different. Dad was still mad at me when I left and it was no use telling him how I felt. You know he had all those plans for me to go to college and whatnot. I tried to explain to him that I didnt think he was wrong about college or even about me studying finance. You know your brother so you know what he saidIf Im not wrong, then why are you joining the army? Uncle Richie, I felt like crap after 9-11and I wanted to do something, to stand up for my country. I think if Dad had been my age, he would have done the same thing. He was thinking about me and about my futurewhich is coolbut I still need to be my own man, just the way you were at my age.

Anyway, say hello to everybody for me. And if you happen to speak to Dad, please put in a good word for me. All my life I never went against him until now and I really feel bad that hes upset about me joining. Uncle Richie, I remember listening to you and one of your buddies talking about Vietnam in your living room. You were both kind of quiet as you spoke, as if you were talking about some secret thing. That was interesting to me. I hope that one day Ill be talking and laughing the same way about what Jonesy (a guy in my unit from Georgia) calls our adventure.

Well, thats all for now.

Your favorite nephew, Robin

Im Major Spring Sessions and Im overjoyed to welcome you to sunny Kuwait. If we actually have to enter Iraq, you will be playing a crucial role in achieving our objectives by interacting with the civilian population. There are many different areas of expertise among you but together you make up a very strong teamand thats a concept that will be stressed over and over againand you have all expressed an interest in the Civil Affairs unit. Im sure well all get along and make the army proud of us. Major Sessions was cute, black, and had a smile that lit up the headquarters tent. She looked sharp in her desert cammies. Jonesy nudged me with his elbow and I had an idea what he was thinking.

Our entire detachment is made up of about forty-two people and there will be some switching around as we go along. We might increase some teams and decrease others. Thats an important concept because what were going to be doing, as an advance Civil Affairs unit, is to assess future needs. Right now we have one medical team, one construction team, an intelligence team, security personnel, and a flex team that will work directly with the native population. Some of the security people will also be assigned to work with the locals, so you see how fluid the Civil Affairs unit will be. This is an important mission and youre important to it. Dont forget that. Captain Coles will brief you on your assignments, your mission, and your relationship to the Infantry while youre over here. Thank you.

Major Sessions smiled again, pivoted on her right heel, and moved smartly from the small stage.

I had been introduced to Captain Coles when I first arrived at Camp Doha and he seemed all right. Not too gung ho, but not sloppy, either. Tall and thin with blue-gray eyes, Coles always looked sincere, as if he really wanted to know about you and was interested in what you were saying. He waited until Major Sessions left before he went to his clipboard.

I have everybody listed here but the three new security teams. When I call out your name give me some sign that youre here, that youre alive, and tell me your hometown, he said. Youre not trying out for American Idol, so be as brief as you can be. I just need all of you to start connecting names and faces and get to know each other. Evans!

Corporal Eddie Evans, Stormville, New York, sir!

Jones!

Corporal Charlie Jones, Stone Mountain, Georgia, sir!

Harris!

Sergeant Robert Harris, Tampa, Florida, sir!

Kennedy!

Corporal Marla Kennedy, Dix Hills, New York, sir!

Perry!

Private Robin Perry, Harlem, New York, sir!

Captain Coles looked up at me. What kind of name is Robin? Your mama didnt know if you were a boy or girl?

I think she knew, sir.

Well, which is it? Boy or girl?

Man, sir!

Okay, I can deal with that, Coles said. Darcy!

Specialist Jean Darcy, Oak Park, Illinois, sir!

Ros!

Corporal Victor Ros, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Nice town, Captain Coles said. Danforth!

PFC Shelly Danforth, Richmond, Virginia.

Pendleton!

Corporal Phil Pendleton, Leetown, West Virginia.

As Captain Coles read off the list of names I looked around to see how many of the guys and the four women I remembered from the flight over. We had all arrived about the same time from the States, which was good. No two-month old-timers. I was glad to see everybody was wearing name tapes.

Okay, listen up! Captain Coles put his clipboard down and looked us over. For the time being were attached to the Third Infantry. If we actually get into a combat phase, the Third Infantry and the Fourth Marines will spearhead the attack. The Third isnt particularly happy taking care of us, but they wont get into our hair unless we screw up and get in their way, which we wont. For the most part well be trailing the Thirds main combat force by at least a few days. Were going to have a lot of freedom, at least at first, as the planners and shakers back at the Pentagonor wherever they do their planning and shakingdecide exactly what they want from us. In the unlikely event that Mr. Saddam Hussein doesnt step down and there actually is a shooting war, we will not be first-line troops. Basically I think there will be a war because Mr. Hussein, in my opinion, is not wrapped too tight. We, the Civil Affairs team, will be on board to see what the Iraqi noncombatants need so that we can begin the rebuilding process as soon as possible. In case youre too stupid to follow what Im saying I will run it down for you very slowly and very carefully. If, when I am finished, you still dont understand, I will probably shoot you.

Operation Iraqi Freedom has four phases. The first was the understanding and assessment of the area. This started way back during the first Gulf War that ended in February 1991. Since that time the Intelligence experts have been studying the area to understand the local dynamics and local problems. That phase is completed. We know what were facing, what were doing, and why were here. At least thats the theory. The second phase is the preparation of the battlefield, which more or less means bombing the heck out of the enemy, taking out his communications, and disrupting his lines of supply. Thatll start when the order is given, but thats not our job. The third phase, if necessary, will be the forceful removal of the present regime in Iraq and neutralizing their weapons, especially their weapons of mass destruction. These weapons could include various forms of gas and biological weapons, maybe even nuclear devices. The fourth and final phase will be the building of a successful democracy in Iraq. Thats where Civil Affairs comes in. Its our job to assess and start that rebuilding process.