Could You Save Your Enemy?
Posted: Tuesday, January 16, 2007
by Ryan Stroud
When thoughts of war pass through people’s minds, many sights they see are gun fire, explosions and Soldiers dying. But what happens to the enemy who is injured and lives through an attack? How do the Coalition Forces treat these Soldiers?
On a cold Iraqi morning, I was asked by a commanding officer in my unit to accompany him to the medical station to photograph the medics of our units in action. I jumped at the opportunity of some great photos but had no idea what I was in for.
An ambulance carrying three wounded Iraqi men quickly rolled up to our site. The Soldiers, knowing that this was no longer training in garrison but the real deal, sprung into action. The doors to the building flew open as a line of medic grabbed the injured men and pulled them inside.
I stood on sandbags to the side to get a good view as all three men were carried past me. Thoughts of typical war movies played through my head, but one thing was different – this was real life. These are not actor playing injured people and these are not “ Hollywood ’s A-List" portraying the doctors. These men were really hurt; they were dying right in front of me.
Time stood still for a moment. I could see the injuries with my own eyes and smell the burnt flesh that was eating at their skin. I was shocked but quickly snapped out of my trance. “I am a Soldier, it’s my job to be focused," I said to myself.
I hurried into the building behind the wounded men, careful not to disrespect them with a large camera in their face while they are in pain.
Screams filled the operating room as the wounded men were being worked on. Two of the men lost both their legs while the other broke every bone from his waist down. The medics worked together to stop the bleeding from the extremities, and save the life of these men who were quickly loosing blood.
And that’s when it really hit me.
Our Soldiers, men and women, young and old; working together to save the very lives of those who tried to bring harm to us. This is not a new practice; Soldiers have saved the lives of their enemies for years. But you never really see this in the movies or even on the local news stations. The media outlets such as CNN, Fox News, BBC, and others only show trouble in the streets or car bombs going off.
These Soldiers were showing true compassion to the lives of others. Compassion, this is something the Army doesn’t teach you. This was what these medics stood for; it’s what they believe. It didn’t matter to them that these men looked different or worshiped a different God; they were people who needed their help.
Time quickly flew as the men were being worked on. The lives that were soon to be lost were brought back to life by the undying efforts these medics gave. All three men survived.
After I left the medical station, I started to cry. Not because of the gruesome reality of war that I saw, but because I was reminded by a group Soldiers that there were still good people in the world; kind, noble people.
These medics gave those men the best gift in the world – a second chance at life.
Ryan Stroud is a military trained journalist who has served in Iraq with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, US Army. Prior to his military experiences, Stroud grew up playing, coaching, and refereeing soccer. Also, Stroud focused many years of his life playing, touring, and recording/producing local music acts. He has a wonderful wife of 4 years, a 2 year old son and a newborn daughter.
Stroud's biggest writing influences are Jim Butcher, Chuck Palahniuk, Edward Lee, Jack Ketchum, Christopher Moore and Ben Fox.
He currently resides in Huntsville, Al, with the 59th Ordnance Brigade at Redstone Arsenal.
Stroud would also like to take a moment to thank his friends who are currently in battle over in Iraq. God bless all of you.
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Top-level comments on this article: (6 total)Wow! Hell Yeah!
Good story and well written!!
The true awareness of what is really happening in Iraq is not being discussed or focused on. Thank you for reminding the public the sacrifices that are made every day by our men and women serving in the armed forces. They are truly HEROES!
Keep the truth coming! The Crazyolady in CA
It is good to be reminded of what is really going on over there. Great Story and well written! -a soldier who needed reminding
Wow! I always knew that events like this one do happen. How nice it would be to hear more these amazing stories. Awesome!! And commendations for a well written account.
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