« "We are ready when America is least ready, and we answer the call" | Main | Update from the 3/11 Marines »

July 02, 2004

Calm before the storm

Cpl. Matthew S. Richards, aboard the USS Denver, shares his thoughts about arriving in the sandbox:

While I waited for a flight back to the USS Belleau Wood, I watched Marines, most with heads cleanly shaved, flood the mess hall here. They slowly trampled the slick floors and breathed the warm air, waiting for their turn to eat the ship's food.

I watched them with a quiet, calm anticipation. I, like all of them, was waiting to enter unstable Iraq.

The Marines were cramped together, sweating, sitting in classes or working out. Like me, most I talked to were ready to get off the ship and into Iraq.

This struck me as interesting as I waited for my flight. Here we were, headed for this uncertain land and all too ready to escape the figurative calm before the storm. I laughed at the analogy since we had just passed through a typhoon. One that, without a doubt, had made many Marines sick in every corner of the rocking ship.

The Marines, but definitely not the seas, were calm. Even in spite of the fact that so many of these young faces were destined to be in the ?sand box? for many months to come.

And many were young, fresh-faced Marines barely needing to shave, still plagued with the high school curse of acne. But the many veterans of the first Operation Iraqi Freedom surrounded them, barking wisdom down their throats.

For the most part, these young men seemed calm, but not at all indifferent toward this deployment.

I was calm, even though I didn?t participate the first time and don?t really know what to expect. Even though I had no control over not being sent to the war and instead remained behind at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, I still feel guilty for not going. Maybe that made me ponder this.

At the time, I wondered how it would feel to cruise into the unknown. A colleague and good friend of mine described the float-- much like the one we?re on now-- aboard the USS Boxer as it headed to Kuwait before OIF kicked off. He felt as if he was lifting his arms high above his head at the crest of a roller coaster, letting go of his fears and inhibitions and riding the course of history.

I think I would have felt that then, but I don?t now. I wondered why? I?m sure it was the same for me as for all the other Marines around me who didn?t deploy.

Could it be all the briefs I?ve received on what to expect? Or am I desensitized by the nonstop media coverage of Iraq that?s been ongoing for over a year now?

Whatever the reason, I?m surprisingly calm and so are those around me. At least that?s the mood I?ve absorbed while walking the bowels of this ship. Or maybe the Marines, young or old, just hide it well.

Without air conditioning, the living quarters packed with Marines reminded me of a gym locker. General Quarters is a drill where the Marines are to remain out of the sailors? way while they respond to a ship emergency, and when the drill was called, we all succumbed to the ovens that are our beds.

Afterward, we all crept topside. I wanted to see the typhoon that had passed us. I walked outside expecting thick clouds, stiff winds and substantial rain, but as I opened the hatch to the outside air, I was stunned. A midday, bright orange sun crept around the puffy clouds, contrasting with the deep blue, mammoth waves rocking the boat.

Marines outside were laughing, joking, picking on and ridiculing each other, something characteristic of Marines no matter where they are or what the conditions. There was even a sailor out there strumming his guitar and singing.

This is not the attitude of men I had expected to see heading to a country in turmoil. Should I complain to stand beside such men who remain calm at times when knowledge of world events is greatly hampered by CNN?

Maybe remaining calm, much like panicking, is infectious.

But here I am. I?m not going to say I?m not feeling apprehensive. However, I feel confident, more than I think I would have been the first time, even with all these young faces around me.

Posted by Deb at July 2, 2004 06:33 AM

Comments

CPL. Matthew S. Richards,

A great article! We will and have been praying for you and your fellow Marines. God Bless You!
Bill and Margie Richards

Posted by: Bill Richards at July 6, 2004 07:05 PM

I always read your articles for news of you. They are always great and this one is not exception. XO, Olivia

Posted by: Olivia at July 24, 2004 07:22 PM

Wow! Thank you for providing such an incredible picture of what it is like on ship, especially when waiting for the challenge of Iraq. Your words paint such a vivid picture, I could even imagine the smells!! I check every day for your photos and articles so that I know you are safe! Please know that there is so much love and prayers for your safe return and for the return of all of our brave men and women who are in Iraq!

Posted by: Suzanne at August 20, 2004 05:29 PM

We are so impressed by your work. It is wonderful that it can be shared by all of us who know and appreciate you.

You and your fellow marines are in our thoughts and prayers.

Posted by: Pat at August 20, 2004 08:05 PM