|
NOTICE, JIM SPIRI IS GOING TO AFGHANISTAN AGAIN.
WATCH FOR THIS JOURNEY CALLED, "10-YEARS LATER
The Last
Journey
Epilogue
#52
On September 11, 2001, my wife Candi and I
were at our daughter and son-in-laws home in rural
Oklahoma, on our way to Washington DC to meet with members of the
United States Senate. Two months
earlier, we had buried our son Jesse, a newly commissioned 2nd Lt
in the United States Marine Corps.
Jesse was commissioned on May 11, 2001. Twenty-four hours later he had a seizure
and was medevaced up to Albuquerque, NM. … ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
October
4, 2010
The Last Flight #51
In the early
morning hours of October 3rd, sometime around 0200 hrs, we landed at Ramstein Air Base. I knew
this place from having been stuck here way back in July, which now seems like
a lifetime or two ago. It was cool and downright chilly outside but it had a
nice feel to it. You could see your breath in the air. It was definitely not
the desert now. The aircraft came to a halt. We were escorted down the stairs
of the aircraft and waited as the stair truck pulled up to the door so we
could disembark the plane. We walked down the final set of stairs on the C-5
and we got into a van to take us right over to the terminal. Everything
looked familiar and clean, neat and orderly. I would not have to go through
the hassle of trying to figure out how to get on the base this time because I
was already on the base. All I had to do now was walk across the street and
book a room at the Air Force Inn hotel which in my mind is the most
convenient hotel I have ever stayed at in all my travels. And the price is
excellent. $39 a night. The rooms are fantastic, clean and there is a free
laundry on every floor. All I had to do was check in. I was on record of
having stayed there back in July so there would be no hassle of producing a
CAC card or going through the drama of showing them my orders and arm
wrestling with them like I did before just to stay in a room… ---Click for Rest of
Story ---
The Last Journey
October
2, 2010 In a C-5 Airplane
The Long Reach #50
It is almost
1900 hrs (7:00 PM) on October 2, 2010.
I am in a C-5 cargo airplane with the engines running getting ready for
takeoff from Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan heading towards Ramstein, Germany. Out of nowhere, a flight to Germany appeared and would take five passengers.
I was told this by a lady who works behind the counter at the pax terminal.
She had been aware of who I am and what I was trying to do. I had kept my
cool all the way down the line and had decided this day to hang out at the
terminal even though no flights were said to be available. If I wanted to go
to Germany, I had to give her my passport and
orders right now. That is exactly what I did. After being told since
September 22, that I could not fly to Germany, I am now taxing down a runway in a
United States Air Force C-5 aircraft, the exact same type of aircraft I
landed in Afghanistan on back in July, headed now for Germany. Twelve days after I left Fox
Company 2/6 Marines in Koru Chareg at COP Turbett… ---Click for Rest of Story ---…
The Last Journey
October 1, 2010 Bagram Air Field
The Last Leg #49
It is Friday,
October 1, 2010. I am at Bagram Air Field. It is a little after 9:30 AM in
the morning. The air is cool, but warming up fast and the sky is clear. I can
see the mountains surrounding this place once again. Some of them at the top
are covered in snow. It is quite scenic, from a distance. I am in a room that
I have been in before. The journey is ending. There is still half a world to
travel through but the last leg is nearing. The previous night was long and a
little complicated but things may becoming more simple if all goes as I think
it will… ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
September
29, 2010 KAF
Crossing Borders #48
It is
Wednesday, September 29, 2010. I
have been stuck in Kandahar
now for six days with no light at the end of the tunnel. I have tried to make
the best of a lousy situation. All I can think of is that I would rather be
back at COP Turbett pouring cold water over my head to get clean and living a
rougher lifestyle with people that care about me rather than have the all the
comforts of life that Kandahar Air Field offers and put up with the folks
here that really don’t like me. I don’t want to deal with the
“city life” again in the middle of the war zone. Basically, I am
ruined from here on out. Just the way things play out from time to
time… ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
September
25, 2010 Kandahar Air Field, MSC
Why It Hurts When They Won’t Listen #47
I don’t
like to be right. It is easier for me when I am wrong. Some things are just unnecessarily
complicated by people’s stubbornness to just think a tiny bit outside
the box for a little while. Today I had to force some people to listen to me.
It was unpleasant to do so, but in the end, it had to be done. There will be
repercussions from it all, that I am sure of. But, at this point I just
don’t care anymore about pleasing people that will not listen. I
don’t care anymore about being liked or disliked. I just want to be
able to go from point A to point B without a bunch of bullshit in-between.
The more simple I try to explain things the more complicated the resulting
issues become. I will just have to live with a bad reputation. I honestly
don’t give a damn anymore… ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
September
21-24, 2010 Kandahar Air Field
In a Jam
Part 5 #46
September 23,
the second day of Autumn and I’m in Afghanistan at Camp Dwyer. I
will try to Space A myself to Kandahar at
the suggestion of my public affairs office at Dwyer. I came into this country
on a C-5 from Ramstein and landed at KAF (Kandahar Air Field). This is what I
was told to do, go out the same way you came in. I know the rule is just
that, you go out the way you come in. At least that is the rule until someone
decides on a particular day that it is not the rule. So many rules that no
one knows a thing. What most people know for sure however is how to cover
their own ass. That is the name of the game in most everything relating to
things other than front line fighting in infantry units… ---Click for Rest of
Story ---
The Last Journey
September
21-24, 2010 Camp Dwyer
In a Jam
Part 4 #45
It is now
September 22 and I’m waking up early at Camp Dwyer. I will get a shower, a real one with
limited running water, but not under a well spicket. The water will be cold,
but not freezing and it will be able to be turned on and off with a handle.
What a luxury. I am determined to clean up, brush my teeth, wash my hair,
shave, and then maybe take a shower again, just because it’s available
and has not been so for a while. I’m feeling guilty for doing such a
thing knowing the guys at Turbett are having to pump their own water which
sometimes does and sometimes does not work. After getting cleaned up, I head
over to the chow hall and grab a small bite to eat and have a good hot cup of
coffee… ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
September
21-24, 2010 Camp Dwyer
In a Jam
Part 3 #44
It was now
after 6:00 PM on the 21st. I woke up a bit more tired than when I had laid down. I
decided to go to chow and walked across the rocks to the chow hall. The
minute I got into the chow hall and received my plate, I began seeing
familiar faces and people started to stop me and say hello. It’s funny
how having been here for only about 5-days a month ago, somehow I had made an
impression of folks that stuck. I sat down with some guys who call themselves
“social scientists” and ate with them. They are folks a little
older than me and are kind of involved in a form of civil affairs and
specifically had worked in the recent past right in the COP Turett area
mostly around Koru Charegh where I had just come from. We had lots to talk
about and I found myself listening to them more than talking to them. I now
could listen to what they were saying and decide for myself what it is
exactly that they do. They are with a group called “Human Terrain
Systems”. They are so called social scientists… ---Click for Rest of
Story ---
The Last Journey
September
21-24, 2010 Leaving Turbett
In a Jam
Part 2 #43
It was a brisk
early morning rising for me on September 21 at COP Turbett. This would be my last day here. It was
also the first day of Autumn. Another season change. A day to leave. I took some
photos of the COP, found a cup of coffee, said a few more farewells and
coordinated with Ssgt. Ortega who is the convoy commander for this trip. He
told me we would be leaving at 0830 and our convoy brief would be at 0815. I
was ready. Everything was packed and consolidated as best I could manage and
I carried my two bags plus computer bag as well as my flak and helmet to the
staging point for the convoy towards the east gate exit area, near the
school. That morning I talked a bit with Gunny Miller who was always up early
and always had some coffee brewing in his room near the COC. He is for sure
the most cordial gunny I have ever come across in the USMC and yet he still
carries that gruffness about him to make sure his Marines stay in line. I
really enjoyed getting to know this man, this Marine. He’s from New
York and has been around a bit. He is not
much older than my oldest daughter, maybe a couple years at most, but, he is
someone I very much look up to. I was glad at the end to see him. He always
had told me during my stay that I was part of the family of Fox Company. That
is an honor… ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
September
21-24, 2010 COP Turbett
In a Jam
Part 1 #42
On September
20, at COP Turbett, after being out on patrol once again and getting shot at toward the
end of the patrol as usual, I came back into the COP with Langaloz’s
squad. It was later in the afternoon around 5:30 PM.
The patrol was pretty much boring except for the fact that I broke my camera
and got shot at. The on off switch had become sticky lately due to all the
dust and at one point it just broke and twisted in circles. Sure enough it
was stuck in the off position. I managed to use my leatherman and poke around
a bit and get it stuck back to the on position. However, the auto focus did
not work anymore at this time and I was forced to try and use manual focus.
In the old days, that would not have been a problem, but these days, my eyes
are not what they used to be and I knew some shots would be blurry. I was mad
and disgusted with the equipment failure, which was now twice in two days.
One a camera, the other the audio recorder. It just happens. I managed to get
them both working but it is very frustrating when it goes down that way. It
takes away the motivation instantly and it always takes a bit of time to
regroup… ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
September
19, 2010 COP Turbett
Firefight with Herman, Hollis, Lambert, Johnson, Lamoines and Me
#41
It is Sunday,
September 19th. It was an eventful day for me today. One that I will not forget. Today, I
feel like I got a few photos that I’ve been trying to get for years. If
I went home today, I would be at least satisfied with what I had accomplished
and then some. I knew that today would be the day to draw contact in a
serious way. I felt it for a number of reasons including the fact that the
enemy had pretty much a free roam of things yesterday due to our having
stayed inside the wire for the most part because of the elections. I had
figured that the enemy would have felt a little more emboldened and would
have been out in force a little more today. Turns out I was correct… ---Click for Rest of
Story ---
The Last Journey
September
18, 2010 COP Turbett
Voting Day in Afghanistan
#40
Today is
election day in Helmund province. It is once again an opportunity for me to
witness elections in another third world country. I believe this will be the
last time I do such a thing. After a while, it all does seem to look alike
from time to time. All kinds of preparations have gone into making sure this
day goes off without a hitch, especially security wise. It was determined
that Americans are not to be seen on the streets for the most part during the
election process so the face of Afghanistan
can be seen handling the elections. This also makes sure that no one gets the
wrong impression that the Americans are trying to influence the outcome. The
little town of Koru Charegh,
just outside the COP, will be my backdrop for photographing how this election
goes here in for what now is my back yard. It is very convenient for me this
day and I don’t have to go far at all to take note of history being
made by elections being held here… ---Click for Rest of
Story ---
The Last Journey
September
16, 2010 COP Turbett
PMT Patrol to Donkeys
#39
It was Thursday
now and I was back with the folks I know best, the PMT Marines. In the morning I managed to get
cleaned up by taking a very cold water shower of sorts at the ANA well and
washed my hair also. After that I did some laundry and was able to really get
my clothes somewhat clean because I had an abundance of water and time to do
it right. I borrowed some laundry soap from the PMT tent and proceeded to get
my chores done. After that, I got my teeth brushed and shaved. I was not
ready for the day. It was now about 11 am in the morning. I managed to collate
all my photos from the Sistani village trip and backed up the same photos on
different modes. Once that is done the next thing is always to prepare a story
set up page with notes to before I forget all the things that just happened.
It keeps my mind exercised best doing it that way and avoids me having to
play catch up later on down the track. By 2:00 PM the PMT guys were going to
roll out to the east towards a road they had not been to previously… ---Click for Rest of
Story ---
The Last Journey
September
15, 2010 Patrol Base Chosin
Sistani Village
Operation
#38B Part 2
After I woke up
at 0200, I realized I would not really go back to sleep all that soundly. I was cold now and very damp. The
night sky was beautiful and I just starred for quite a while looking up and
trying not to move so as to not feel the cold dampness of my sleeping bag. I
buried myself once more in the bag and wrapped it tightly and try to garner
as much warmth as I could. I would have to be up in an hour and make sure I
could use the bags and get my bowels moving early enough so as not to be
inhibited once in the field. This was the rough part of being out here. But,
I would soon find out that the hard part was indeed coming… ---Click for Rest of
Story ---
The Last Journey
September
15, 2010 Patrol Base Chosin
Sistani Village Operation
#38A Part 1
The days
previous I had been told that around the 15th of September the company would exercise an operation
designed to “clear” and prepare an area out west called the
Sistani village for upcoming provincial elections that were to be held in
Helmund province. There were rumors that it could be interesting and there
could be some resistance. In the days and hours leading up to the operation,
it began to take shape and I realized that it was actually going to be kind
of a big deal and that a lot of stuff had gone into this to make it work. I
decided I would participate and I inquired with the Captain as to where he
would suggest I be in this whole thing that was going to go down. He
mentioned that being right up front with the squad with the ANA leading the
way would be his suggestion. I decided to follow his lead and that is what I
would do… ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last
Journey
September
12, 13 and 14, 2010
#37 COP Turbett
September 12th was the slow day. September 13th the air was what is
called “red” meaning helicopters can not fly so no missions are
done due to no medevac support.
September 14th was the day to rest for a later in the
afternoon departure out to patrol base Chosin, where 1st platoon
is to do the mission to Sistani the next day... ---Click for Rest of
Story ---
The Last Journey
September
11, 2010 COP Turbett
“Nine Years Later”
#36
Today it has been nine years since the attacks on 9/11 in America. Like everyone else,
I remember exactly where I was on that morning in 2001. When the attacks
happened and the reports came out that the perpetrators had originated from
training facilities in Afghanistan and were members of some group called, Al
Qaeda, I determined that one day I would go to this far away place and see
for myself where it was and what it was like and what the heck the conditions
were that allowed such events to happen. Today I have succeeded in fulfilling
that goal and have found myself embedded with United States Marines in a
place called Helmund province on the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
This marks a milestone in particular journeys for me and it is quite sobering
to be here in this very place on this date. I determined specifically to be
exactly where I am at this very time for quite a long, long time. I honestly
believe that anyone who really cares about what happened to us as a nation
nine years ago and is concerned about anyone who is deployed to this region
ought to either come here for themselves or at the very least educate
themselves to the uttermost about just what it is like here in this place
called Afghanistan. I for one had to come because nine years ago my younger
son was among the first troops sent into battle in Afghanistan. I felt as his father that my generation sent him here
and the least I could do is go and find out for myself exactly why we did so.
That is in a nutshell why I am here in Afghanistan on September 11, 2010, nine years after the attacks on US soil that changed all of our lives. ---Click for Rest of
Story ---
The Last Journey
September
10, 2010 COP Turbett
#35
Today is Friday, September 10, 2010. I am in COP Turbett
in Helmund province, Afghanistan. Six years ago today, I was in Balad, Iraq assisting
the CASEVAC crews loading a man that had both legs and one arm blown off from
a rocket attack. It is also the night that I was informed that my father had
been struck and killed by a car while riding his bicycle in New York. My younger brother has his birthday on this day. The
10th of September is one of those days I know about as we lead up to the 9/11
anniversary. This year, I will be here in Afghanistan which is exactly where I wanted to be this time around.
I wanted to see it from the ground level on 9/11, nine years after the fact.
It’s been a long time but seems like yesterday. ---Click for Rest of
Story ---
The Last Journey
September 7, 8 and 9, 2010 COP Turbett
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
#34 Part C
Thursday, September 9 would find me hooking up with Lt. Johnston
who is heading up the training of the Afghan National Army troops here at COP
Turbett. He has a big task but it is one that is a very critical component to
how things are being done here in Helmund province. Johnston is a Naval Academy graduate and is very decisive in his actions. I had
spoken to him on a few occasions earlier and the other day I inquired about
going out with him on a patrol. I knew the kind of patrols he did were
designed to find the enemy and deal with it. He also has spent the better
part of the last 5-months training up a platoon of ANA troops. To his credit,
Johnston has earned the respect of his ANA troops as well as his
counter parts. Going with him would prove to me that there is some hope in
all this goings on we call war in Afghanistan. ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
September 7, 8, and 9, 2010 COP Turbot
#33 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Wednesday morning brought an interesting meeting at the
CMOC. Here, many of the
local elders would come and meet with Captain Zepeda and his crew, including
the two female Marines on the FET team as well as the new female interpreter.
The school now is considered a success at this point but the next phase is to
draw in the young girls to attend. The meeting that was scheduled is called a
“Shura”, which is like a gathering of the elders, all men with
white beards on one side and the Captain and his men on the other side. I had
heard about these types of meetings in the past but this would be the first
organized one I would attend. ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last
Journey
September 7,
8, and 9, 2010 COP Tubett
#32 Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday
Part A
Today
is now Thursday, September 9, here at COP Turbett. It’s been a busy last
couple of days and it is always hard to catch up on what has and is going
on. I will try my best to fill in the
gaps before any more time goes by. It
is almost half past six in the afternoon now
and I’ve been very tired today.
I’m also a bit sick with a sore throat and it is taking a little
bit of a toll on me. I’ll be
fine, I’m drinking plenty of water and ended up taking a long three
hour nap today just to recover from the morning patrol. I will start by going back to Tuesday and
retracing from my notes the events that transpired. I do not have email access so it is not
possible to send things for postings.
Such is life and it will all be fine.
---Click for Rest of
Story ---
The Last
Journey
September
6, 2010 COP Turbett
#31 Tajiman
(Interpreters)
September
6, 2010 - Every now and then, I have to write something that I know will usually end up getting me
into hot water. But sometimes, I just don’t care. Today is one of those times. I will be careful, but I will say my piece
of mind. Today was the second day of
school... ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last
Journey
September
5, 2010 COP Turbett
#30
“School Days”
Today
is Sunday, September 5. It was the
first day of school in these parts in the little town just outside the COP. The community is called,
“cooch-a-ray”. I do not
know the exact spelling of it. For the
past few days, preparations have been being made for this event. Education is something that the Taliban
frown upon yet the kids here really seek out to learn. Tents were set up just to the east of the
COP as temporary facilities for school while the permanent structure is being
built. Final touches were put in place
around 0600 hrs with the Marines setting up concertina wire where the
entrance to the school is. By about
0700 hrs, students began trickling in for the first day of school. The turnout was the big mystery… ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last
Journey
#29
September 4, 2010 COP Turbett
Today
is actually Sunday, September 5, 2010. I am tired and have slipped on finding the
time to write. But now I have some
time and will catch up as best I can.
As always, there is just too much to write about in any given twenty
four hour period. It has taken all my
energy and time to just be able to file my photographs as well as my audios
and to be able to somehow back them up and keep them for safe storage. Not to mention having found the time to go
out on local patrols, keep clean, try to wash clothes and at the same time
find time to squeeze what all happens in what seems like a 48-hour day into
one 24-hour segment with just enough time to rest somewhere in between. That is what I am trying to do now. So here goes. ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last
Journey
#28
September 3, 2010, COP Turbett, Afghanistan
Two patrols
on 02 Sept, plus, cleaning up on 01 September
It is now Friday, September 3, 2010
here at COP Turbett. I find myself constantly trying to catch up on things, organize up my
gear and somehow get clean and have clothes washed, just to be able to stay
prepare d for each day’s events.
A lot of things happen just being here and lots of things go on in our
surrounding area that I only hear about second hand. Playing catch up on the writing end of
things keeps me somewhat sharp in my mind and is similar to exercise for the
physical body. Today is turning out to
be one of those days. Let’s go
back to Wednesday, September 1. ---Click for
Rest of Story ---
The Last
Journey
#27 August
30 & 31, 2010 COP Turbett
August 30 and 31, 2010 COP
Turbett… I woke up on the morning of August 30 realizing I had accomplished so
far quite a bit of what I had set out to do.
That being mostly just arriving at COP Turbett and seeing my friends
Sgt. Jimmy Bernard and Cpl. Sam Dillon.
I knew now that the rest of the journey would pretty much be icing on
the cake. Just to have gotten to this
point took a major effort on a lot people’s parts and a bit of a toll
on my being. All of it was well worth
it and I felt a bit of burden released off my shoulders. Now, the work would begin and I would give
it my best shot for this indeed would be my last journey…. ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last
Journey
#26 August
29-B
August 29 Part B, 2010 COP Turbett, Afghanistan… I arrived at
COP Turbett well before noon on August
29th. The ride over took
less than an hour and covered all of a couple miles. The road was actually ditch bank roads
similar to what I know in New Mexico. I rode in an up armored MRAP. I sat in the back seat nearest the door
with all my gear. Peering out the small window I could begin to catch a
glimpse of the country I had only seen from FOB to FOB. Now, I was out in the countryside, yet
still within the confines a large military vehicle designed to absorb the
blast of an improvised explosive device… ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last
Journey
#25 COP Turbett, Afghanistan
August 29 Morning, 2010 COP Turbett, Afghanistan… It was
Sunday, again, in Afghanistan yesterday. I always enjoy
Sundays. It just is a time to catch up
on things. There has been so much
going on to keep me busy in the past several days that only now can I have
the opportunity to fill in all the gaps before it all runs together and just
becomes a memory subject to changes.
That is what I am going to do now, try to fill in the blanks from all
that has led up to put me exactly where I am at this moment. Right where I’ve been trying to get
for what seems like an eternity….
---Click for Rest of Story ---
Jim has been imbedded with the marines and
has not had email access since doing so. He has been calling his wife about
every other day. She says “He loves where he is and what
he is doing. I can read between the lines that there is a lot of
action. O Lord Jesus, cover him and keep him safe and healthy.”
Please keep all our military in your prayers!! (Web Editor)
The Last
Journey
#24
“Some Say...”
26 August 2010,
Camp Dwyer, Helmund province, Afghanistan… Thursday and
still at camp Dwyer. The air is clearing and some flights are
on. But there is a backlog. More waiting. More time to read and chat with folks. More information. More decisions about what to think about
things. It is the part I don't like to
do. Think. Keeping things simple has always been my excuse for not having to
think hard about many things. It is a
survival method for me of sorts developed over the course of many years now. So many people ask me, “so what are
you doing here and why? Whom do you
work for? Where are you
published?” and so on and so on.
---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#23 “Dusty”
24 August 2010 Camp Dwyer, Helmund province, Afghanistan…
The dust storm continues. I've seen this type of thing before in Iraq and it could last for days. At the moment, I am grounded here at Camp Dwyer until this dust storm subsides.
On the brighter side, it is not as hot as it usually is giving all of
us here a bit of a break from the oppressive heat. In my tent, things are just fine, air
conditioning works great, even too good.
The cot I am on is fine and I was able to get a shower this
morning. So, I will figure out today
as I always do. One moment at a
time. ---Click for
Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#22 “Page Two”
23 August 2010, Camp Dwyer, Helmund province
Afghanistan… After
much traveling, I have arrived among the United States Marine Corps in
Helmund province, Afghanistan. It is
worth the wait. After several
attempts, I was able to secure a seat, space available, 22 August, on a C-130
leaving Bagram Air Field for Kandahar. It took
me a few trips back and forth to the passenger terminal, with all my gear,
but eventually, somehow, I got on a flight.
It was a welcomed sight. ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#21 “In Good Company”
20 August 2010, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan… Today
I am in Bagram. It is August 20th. It is my birthday. It’s been a bit of
an ordeal in the past 24-hours. I knew
that leaving Salerno would be more than a headache. It was and continues to be. It’s just part of how it is in this
place. ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#20 “Soup’s On!”
19 August 2010 Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan
Once in a while there
are folks that are really hidden in their professions but known on a daily
basis by everyone, usually three times a day, and often more than that. This is one of those stories that I feel I
have to do because it directly affected me, every single day I was at FOB
Boris. ---Click
for Rest of Story --
The Last Journey
#19 “Helicopter Rides”
18 August 2010 Forward Operating Base Salerno,
Afghanistan
In 1992, while living on
the Big Island of Hawaii, I met a man that owned a helicopter company in Hilo, Hawaii. I was
looking to get my younger son Jimmy, a ride on a helicopter for his
birthday. ---Click for Rest of Story --
The Last Journey
#18 “Relocating”
17 August 2010, Forward Operating Base Boris,
Afghanistan… It’s
Tuesday morning and it started out clearer than most days, but seems to be
clouding up a bit. I will soon begin to
move in the direction of linking up with the USMC now in the south part of
the country. Getting there will be
arduous but have to make the move soon to stay on the schedule allotted to
me… ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#17 “It’s Complicated”
14 August 2010, Forward Operating Base Boris,
Afghanistan… As a young kid, I recall spending my fair share
of time in the principle’s office.
It wasn’t that I really did anything all that wrong rather it
was usually due to some remarks that I made from time to time that seemed to
land me in the hot seat. As an adult,
that did not change all that much.
These days, it just… ---Click for
Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#16 “Cinch Strap”
13 August 2010, Forward Operating Base Boris,
Afghanistan… I had a
good horse when I was a kid. I grew up out in the desert of New Mexico and learned a bit about good horses. Putting a saddle on was a task that required
doing things a certain way. My horse
was very powerful. ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#15
“Faces and Voices of Eastern Afghanistan”
10 August 2010, Forward Operating Base Boris,
Afghanistan… It
only rained once today, but it was a bit of a downpour. I’ve been on the FOB the whole time
I’ve been here. No one has gone
out. I don’t have a whole lot more
time scheduled here but we’ll see what the days ahead bring. I have kept myself quite busy. There was plenty today to keep up on. The rain subsided enough to make me think
it could possibly clear up, but I tend to believe that is mostly hopeful thinking.
In any event, I enjoy being here. . ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#14 “Listen Up”
09 August 2010, Forward Operating Base Boris,
Afghanistan… I have ten grandchildren. There is one that I have my eyes on lately
that has my attention. His name is
Jesse. He is the oldest of the triplets. He is named after his uncle, my son, Jesse,
who was a Marine and went to be with the Lord in 2001. ---Click for Rest of
Story ---
|
|
The Last Journey
#13
“Obstacles and Improvising”
08 August 2010, Forward Operating Base
Boris, Afghanistan… It
is Sunday, again. No matter where I am
on the planet, no matter what I am doing at any given time, it seems as
though Sunday is always the one day I know what the date is. Things are just different on Sundays, in a
good way. I get caught up on these
kind of days. ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#12 “Bandit Country”
07 August 2010, Forward Operating Base Boris,
Afghanistan… I have arrived at my final, first
destination. It is simply amazing that
I made it after all this time. Let me
say from the onset in this writing, it was well worth the waiting. The moment I stepped onto land here at FOB
Boris, I knew this is where I’m supposed to be. This is “Bandit Country”. I am with very good people here. This is the infantry. This is 1-187. ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#11 “Always Working”
05 August 2010,
Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan, Thursday, 1615 hrs… The rain has stopped, at least for now. The weather is hot and muggy, partly
cloudy. I’ve been told that
tomorrow I am scheduled for a flight, but will not know until later this
evening what the real status is. One
thing is for sure, I’m still at Salerno and everything is for sure a
definite maybe. That is what these journeys entail sometimes. ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#10 “A Word is Worth a Thousand
Pictures”
04 August 2010, Forward Operating Base
Salerno, Afghanistan… It’s
Wednesday,
August 4, 2010.
I’ve been on the go since July 21st and I’m still not
at my final, first destination.
Weather has played a major role in this part of the delay. It has been raining off and on for three
days and the area I’m trying to get to is not accessible via helicopter
in such inclement weather. Word is
that clearing may be on the horizon. ----- Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#9 “Rainy Day Monday”
02 August 2010 Forward Operating Base Salerno,
Afghanistan… it’s late in the afternoon around 1730 (5:30 PM) local time.
I’ve been taking care of some writings and reconfirming with my
POC’s (points of contact) about my flight out of here tomorrow. --- Click for
Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#8 “Simply Salerno”
01 August 2010,
Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan, Sunday evening…It is dark now and all
the outside lights are off. It’s
been a very long day and I’m short on rest. But I must write to keep the mind in good
working order. It is an exercise that
must be maintained every day. I am now
at what is simply called, “Salerno”. I like it here. A lot. --- Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#7 “Old Friends”
31 July 2010, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, 2030 hrs,
Saturday evening…One
of my favorite songs of all times is by three artists that I really enjoyed
listening to over the years. Willie
Nelson, Ray Price and Roger Miller. Some
years ago, before Roger Miller passed away, he and Willie and Ray recorded a
song called, “Old Friends”.
My son Jesse used to love that song.
Every time I hear it, good memories are rekindled in my being. I can still hear the song playing in my head. --- Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#6
“Pushing Forward”
31 July 2010, Bagram
Air Field, Afghanistan, 1145 hrs, Saturday…The journey is
beginning to take shape. I left home
in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 0430
hrs in the morning, Wednesday, July 21, 2010.
Today is ten days later and what seems like a million miles ago. Bagram is where things for me begin to come
into focus. ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#5
a&b...First Impressions
29 July 2010,
Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, 1600 hrs, Thursday….
It’s amazing how once in the war zone, familiar things come right
up front and center, no matter how long it’s been. Landing at Kandahar late at night there
was this sense come over me which was, “ok, what have I gotten myself
into this time.” ---Click for Rest
of Story ---
The Last Journey
#4
Destination Afghanistan
28 July 2010, 2000
hrs Europe Time, in a C-5 Airplane somewhere over Asia….
Like most people living in the USA prior to 2001, I did
not know very much about a place called Afghanistan. On September 11 of that same year, I began
to hear about this place called Afghanistan and at that time
determined that one day I would go there.
---Click
for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#3 “The Pax-Men”
July 26, 2010...Ramstein Air
Base, pax terminal…
In years past, I spent quite some time working ground operations for a
very large helicopter company in Hawaii. I obtained that job in 1992 and started in Hilo, Hawaii, at the international
airport there. In short, my job was to
take care of passengers on and off the aircraft as well as coordinating their
flights. It was a very demanding job
… ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#2 Traveling
Light
24 July 2010,
Ramstein Air Base, Germany. “I
love it when a plan comes together”.
I remember that line by George Pepard
aka, Hannibal, in the TV show A-Team. When my kids were little, back in the mid
80’s, that show was pretty much required viewing in the Spiri
household… ---Click for Rest of Story ---
The Last Journey
#1 Running on
Empty
Jim Spiri
22 July 2010, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Thursday morning
For those of you that
know me, most of you will not be surprised that I’m on the go one more
time. Destination…Afghanistan. For
those of you that are just reading me for the first time, hang on, buckle up
and get used to reading the day to day stories of the life of a combat
photographer/war correspondent, old school style…. ---Click for Rest of Story ---
(Audio Files Link to be here: Coming Soon!)
Keep
Checking Back for Jim’s Latest – “The Last Journey”
Jim Spiri-International freelance and
independent photo-journalist/historian.
Jim Spiri, 54, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is currently at
home in Albuquerque, New Mexico preparing for a return
trip back to the war zone in Iraq. He has been
traveling in and out of theatre there, in a variety of capacities, since
January of 2004. Most recently, he completed a six month embed from May 2009
to October 2007 with the USMC and the US Army. He covered extensively events
in Fallujah, Mosul, Taji and the
southeast part of Baghdad, as well as other
areas of Iraq. His work was
published on a daily basis in blog form with the Philadelphia Inquirer
Newspaper at the on line version at: http://blogs.phillynews.com/philly/spiri/ which still can be
accessed by clicking on the address listed above.
Spiri, who has quite a history of international travel, is a unique
individual who has managed to press forward in the midst of personal tragedy,
adversity and a sincere desire to support the troops in such a fashion that
has gained him much respect among the military community. Known as a true
patriot, Spiri, who was also instrumental in the passing of a bill in
Congress addressing military medical health care coverage for newly
commissioned officers, has the tenacity of a bulldog when the record needs to
be straight.
Married at age 18, to his wife Candi (who was 17 at the time) has
been married for the past 34 years. The two were blessed with four children,
Melain, Jesse, Jimmy and Moriah, two boys and two girls, and raised them in a
variety of locations around the globe. Both sons attended New Mexico Military
Institute for their first two years of college and then proceeded to pursue
careers in the military. The girls went on to attain careers where the oldest
one, Melain, became a school teacher and the youngest one, Moriah became a
nurse. The Spiri’s now have been blessed with six grandchildren. Life
has been good, but in 2001 tragedy struck and changed their lives forever,
but through the suffering the family found a way to turn tragedy into triumph
in true American fashion, with a firm testing of their faith in the Lord
Jesus. It is with this faith that the Spiri Family continues to press on.
Photo:
Jim Spiri Sr, Jimmy Spiri Jr, James Spiri III, Jesse Spiri
And
Jacob Spiri.
In May of 2001, their oldest son, Jesse, was commissioned a 2nd
Lt. in the USMC, after completing a four year degree at Western New Mexico University, in Silver City, NM. Shortly
thereafter, Jesse was stricken with what was determined to be brain cancer
and subsequently passed away on July 7, 2001. At the onset of
the illness, Jesse was admitted to UNM hospital under Tri-Care, the health
care coverage for all military personnel. Shortly after emergency brain
surgery, Tri-Care balked and decided not to cover the newly commissioned 2nd
Lt. Within 48 hours of brain surgery,
Jesse was discharged from the hospital and left to fend for himself for
medical care. He had no insurance and the family rushed to find a way to get
him treatment. Tri-Care determined that a “gray area” as far as
coverage was concerned caused a hesitation in treatment. The Spiri family
went public with the dilemma, but to no avail. Jesse died on July 7, a mere
56 days after being discharged. Life would never be the same for the Spiri
family.
Jim Spiri took this tragedy hard, but pressed his Senator, Pete
Domenici (R-NM), until eventually in November of 2003, a bill in Congress was
passed called, “The 2nd Lt., Jesse James Spiri, Military
Medical Coverage Act of 2004”, which closed the so-called loophole that
Tri-Care balked on, thus relieving any future family the pain and suffering
that the Spiri family experienced. Following the final words of his son
Jesse, which were, “Lord Jesus, make me an Overcomer”, Jim Spiri
decided to pursue a life in full support of all American troops from that
point on. This is what has driven Jim Spiri to “Support the
Troops” in earnest, in what we now call, “The War in Iraq”.
It was while being present at the United States Senate, as an
invited guest during the passing of the bill in Congress, that Jim Spiri
decided that from that point on, his life would never be the same and the
experience of one man following his patriotic duty, can and did make a
difference. At that point in time, Spiri determined to find a way to continue
on a positive footing to support in whatever capacity he could, the troops
who were now engaged in a global war on terrorism. In January of 2004, Spiri
obtained employment at Camp Anaconda, near Balad, Iraq, as a flight line
passenger representative, putting to use his skills in ground aviation to
work in full support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During that time, he was
present and assisted in the loading of over 12,000 wounded soldiers and
voluntarily offered his services as a photo-historian and produced a
photographic historical archive for the 31st combat Support
Hospital which handled the majority of wounded US soldiers in Iraq. It was at
this time Spiri found much grace to lend healing to his own suffering.
By the summer of 2005, Spiri’s wife, Candi, joined him and
worked in helicopter manifesting as a US Army contractor. Together, the two
continued their work in supporting the troops until March of 2006, at which
time they returned to their home in New Mexico. During their time in country,
the Spiri’s were invited guests of honor to Baghdad in November of 2005
for the November 10th birthday celebration of the USMC. At
that time, Jim Spiri began to inquire with the USMC about becoming an
embedded photographer. It would be a process that would take much time. After
returning home to New Mexico in March of 2006, the Spiri’s made a plan
that would coordinate their next journey to coincide with the deployment of
their younger son, Jimmy, who is a CH47 helicopter pilot in the US Army.
Their younger son would deploy once again (his fourth time) in September of
2006. Jim and Candi Spiri obtained employment in Kuwait in September of 2006
at Al-Mubarak Air Base, as US Air Force contractors, where Candi worked in
passenger’s services and Jim worked in cargo. Together, they would be
able to be in theatre at the same time their own son was deployed. Once again
in November of 2006, the Spiri’s were invited by the USMC as honored
guests for the birthday on the 10th, and it was at this time that
Jim made a strong move to embed with the USMC in Anbar province. This time,
it would come to pass.
In years past, Jim and Candi Spiri both were freelance photographers
and covered the war in the late 1980’s in El Salvador. By 1992, a book
was produced in both English and Spanish, by Jim and Candi Spiri, titled,
“In the Beginning…El Salvador”. It was a black and white
photo-documentary depicting life in the war zone of El Salvador during the
years 1987-89. It received many positive reviews and is still available upon
request.
November 11, 2009 Veteran’s Day
Story
Today is Veteran’s Day, 2009. Each year I try to find a
veteran and share a piece of history with those readers that follow my
writings. This year I had to look no further than two doors down the
street where I live. This is a brief story about my neighbor, Lt.
Commander Irene M. Young, USN (ret). --- Click for Rest of
Story ---
November 11, 2009 Fort Hood Story
It is a few days since
the tragedy at Ft. Hood, Texas took place.
There are no words that will comfort those grieving. There are only prayers we can offer to
those who have suffered loss of a loved one and for those wounded struggling
for recovery. My son is stationed at Ft. Hood, when stateside. ---Click
Rest of Story ---
SPRING 2007
By the spring of 2007, Jim took permanent leave of absence and
embarked on a six month embed with the USMC in Anbar province and Nineveh
province in Iraq. The journey was done for free and without any outside
financial support. The Philadelphia Inquirer Newspaper caught wind of his
journey and produced a front page article on his adventures. It was shortly
thereafter that a blog was begun and has since gained an immense following.
During the journey, Spiri was able to fulfill a life-long desire to accompany
his son on combat missions. Father and son working together in the war zone
while at the same time supporting the rest of America’s sons and
daughters who were also in the war zone. The blog became a way of linking the
troops to the families on the home front and detailing day to day combat
operations in a fashion that followed in the footsteps of famed historians of
wars past, Matthew Brady, Ernie Pyle and Joe Galloway. Jim Spiri had found a
way to support the troops and convey to America the professionalism of
America’s sons and daughters in harm’s way.
Spiri with Lt. Gen
Ray Odierno in Mosul, Iraq, 2007.
OCTOBER 2007
By October of 2007, the journey for the Spiri’s had come to a
close and both returned home to New Mexico. In recent weeks Spiri has
attended homecoming celebrations for soldiers from Fort Bliss, TX and
documented in full circle the end of a long deployment of fellow comrades who
have become as family. One mission is now complete.
In 2008, Jim volunteered and was invited to be Senator John
McCain’s personal photographer during the Presidential primaries and
subsequent campaign in South Carolina and New Mexico.
Jim
Spiri with Senator John McCain in New Mexico, 2008.
Now, Jim Spiri is planning a follow-up journey. His intention is to
seek support from the heartbeat of America who wants to become a part of the
next journey. The war continues with much positive progress going unreported
at this time. Spiri is able to convey in a unique fashion that strengthens
not only the individual soldier and marine, but at the same time strengthen
the home front and open a way to allow those at home to support where before
a way was not available.
Spiri has made a way for contributors to receive something from the
past, in order to continue to report the current. For contributions of $20,
each person will receive an autographed copy of Spiri’s first book,
“In the Beginning…El Salvador”. For contributions of $40,
each person will receive a copy of the book plus a CD of recent photos from
Iraq depicting day to day operations among USMC or US Army Patrols.
The Captains Journal, a highly respected military blog, is proud to
feature Jim Spiri as one of its guest bloggers. For more information you can
contact Jim Spiri at: jimspiri@yahoo.com or call him
personally at any time at: 505.898.1680. He welcomes all contact and
personally responds to each and every inquiry.
|
