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 Jim Spiri
Is the Hometown Combat Correspondent
“10 YEARS AFTER
FALLUJAH”
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Jim’s Audio Interview with
Don Viray
In Memory of
CW2 Don Viray
April 25, 2012…Albuquerque,
New Mexico, USA…Today was a bitter-sweet day. All my friends from the New Mexico National
Guard that I was honored to be embedded with in Afghanistan
recently, returned home. It was a
beautiful sight to see. Family,
friends, neighbors, co-workers and hundreds of other local folks all turned
out to welcome home some New
Mexico heroes. I found my way onto the tarmac to the
place where each soldier stepped off the plane. I shook hands with many and hugged some
familiar faces. It’s good to
have them home. Continue Rest of Story
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Father
of soldier killed in action in Afghanistan speaks to Jim Spiri on Memorial Day,
2012
In
July of 2010, I conducted an audio interview on Cpl. Jimmy Robinson, United
States Army, at Forward Operating Base Boris, in Paktika province Afghanistan. One month later, Cpl. Robinson was killed by
indirect fire that came from Pakistan and landed on the base. I tracked down Jim
Robinson Sr and gave him the audio of his son. From that point on, we have
become good friends. Jim Robinson Sr., speaks about what a father goes
through losing a son in war. It is a must hear audio.
Click
here to listen ->
JimRobinsonSrPart1
JimRobinsonSrPart2
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 “Viet Nam veteran speaks about Memorial Day 2012 to Jim
Spiri"
Mr.
Chon Baca, 64-years-old, is my neighbor. I met him one day walking the neighborhood
while doing my physical training for a journey to Afghanistan. I realized right away that another one of my
neighbors has a critical story to convey to my audience. Enjoy what Mr.
Baca has to share and listen closely to his advice to our current warriors
returning home from Afghanistan.
Click
here to listen ->
ChonBacaPart1
ChonBacaPart2
ChonBacaPart3
ChonBacaPart4
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SPIRI FREELANCE
Spiri Freelance
Theme Song!
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SPIRI
FREELANCE…..
It is said that in
everything there is a reason. Many
people tell me this. Few really
believe it. Most folks that say
this, do so to comfort someone who has encountered some suffering. Others say it as they try to figure
something out that cannot be readily explained. And still others say “there must be
a reason” out of habit to explain or justify something. I do not know much about reason. I have never claimed to be the most
reasonable person in the room. I
generally just don’t see the reason in it. The only thing I can say that I know
about reason is that it rhymes with season.
To everything
there is a season and a time to every purpose…
There
was absolutely no rhyme or reason for me to have done what I did this
season in coming here to Afghanistan. Which
coincidently is exactly why it made perfect sense to me. Once I began mingling with the soldiers
of the New Mexico National Guard that operate these medevac missions, and
listened to their stories of why they too came here, a kinship of spirits
was ignited. Thus a reason was found without any reasoning.
I just had to
come here…. Continue Rest of Story
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 29,2012
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Col. Frank Tate
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Maj. Ryan Grippin
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Lt. Col. Lori Robinson
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W5 Gary Button
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Ten Years Later
#20
Having Left Edinburgh
March 29,
2012…Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan…Edi is now in the rear
view mirror. I am gone but the
mission goes on. In fact, as I sat in the helicopter that would take me to Camp Dwyer, I
saw the other helicopters get a mission and the crews run out to the
aircrafts. That was a hard site to
watch. I did not like being in the
one helicopter while the others were leaving on mission. That is the pain I
don’t like to encounter. The
only solace I find is that all the others who are actually doing the
missions have to go through it as well.
Just don’t look back. Continue
Rest of Story
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 28,2012
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Cpt. Thomas Dunn
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Sgt Ryan Haworth
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Sgt. Catina Booker
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SPC. Anthony Romero
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 27,2012
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LCPL. Brandon Bobieu
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Sgt. Keith Gensamer
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Sgt. Danny Chavez
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SFC. Jeff Johnson
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 Ten Years Later
#19 “Go…!”
March 25, 2012…Forward
Operating Base Edinburgh, Helmand province, Afghanistan…One
minute, you can be in the MWR catching up on a phone call and the next
minute you’re running to the helicopter because you heard the words
over the radio, “medevac, medevac, medevac.” That is exactly
how it happens. No matter what you
are doing or where you are, the call comes to get to the helicopter and get
on it and fly to a place where the helicopter is needed. I never spend any time figuring out where
we are going, what it is we’re picking up or what the extent of the
injuries are. Soon enough I will
find out. Whatever I need to know, the crew will tell me in due time. Other than that I just watch and take
photos. Continue Rest of Story
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 Ten Years Later
#18 Change
March 24, 2012…Forward Operating
Base Edinburgh, Helmand province, Afghanistan. One
thing that always happens is change.
Those causing change tend to always say, “change is
good”. Those being changed may
not always agree. No matter what,
change is going to happen, except when I go to the store these days. I don’t get any change back from my
dollar like I did in the old days.
Then there was this phrase four years ago during the presidential election
that said, “hope and change”.
Wow. Usually I hope that
nothing changes. Continue Rest of Story
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 23,2012
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Cpt.
Kevin Doo
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SPC.
Jesse Ochoa
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 22,2012
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LCDR.
Jonathon Auten
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Cpl.
Christopher DelFratte
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Sgt.
Edward Martinez III
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 21,2012
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Sgt.
William Reavis
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Lt.
Nicole Lundsford
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 20,2012
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Afghan
Translator
No photos for security purposes...
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Sgt. Amanda Montoya
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W2
Gabriel Trujillo
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Sgt.
Troy Hayes
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Spc.
Brandon Jewell
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"Jimmy Spiri, Jr., Afghanistan 2002"
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Jim
Spiri, Sr., Fallujah, Iraq, 2007
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Ten Years Later
#17 “The Family”
March 18, 2012…Forward
Operating Base Edinburgh, Helmand province, Afghanistan…Sunday again in Afghanistan. The UNM Lobos got beat.
There goes my bracket. I just
don’t do well when I bet my heart instead of my mind. It is probably why I never was a
bookie... Continue Rest of Story
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 18,2012
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Cpt. Andrew Krause
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W3. Charles Boehler
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SSGT. Derrick Ragion USMC
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 17,2012
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W3.
Joshua Jacobson
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Cpt.
Chris Biebeau USMC
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 16,2012
W2.
Chris Griego
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Ten Years Later
#16 “The Hat”
March 15, 2012…Forward
Operating Base Edinburgh, Helmand
province, Afghanistan. My hat
got destroyed. It was my own
fault. I knew better than to wear it
on the flight line as a helicopter is spooled up ready to go. When I worked helicopter flight lines in Hawaii, I told passengers over 10,000 times never to
wear your hat on the flight line. A
call came down at the same time the helicopter was being run up for crew
change. For some reason, it slipped
my mind and I thought I was late to get to the aircraft. So, I sprinted out to the flight line,
camera in tow, and my favorite hat (my yellow New Mexico hat with Zia sun symbol) and headed to the
helicopter knowing full well that was a stupid thing to do. Hat flew off and was subsequently chopped
into several pieces... Continue
Rest of Story
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 14,2012
Sr.
Chief Terry Green
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 Ten Years Later
#15
“Busy”
March 13, 2012…Forward
Operating Base Edinburgh, Helmand
province, Afghanistan. Early
this morning I heard some feet pounding on the plywood that leads outside
the area I sleep at. I awoke and
jumped into my pants and slid my shoes on and entered the operations
tent. I asked, “Is there a
mission?” “Yes”,
came the reply. “Double
amp”. I then grabbed my
camera, sprinted to the helicopter and buckled in. It was not yet 6:00 AM. The sky
was clear. I had no coffee but was
ready. This was the beginning of the
day... Continue Rest of Story UPDATED 03/16/2012 7:45 AM MST
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 13,2012
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SSgt.
Noah Berg
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Sgt.
Christopher Kist
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W2.
Jose Moreno
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Sgt.
Brian Bowling
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 12,2012
Mr.
Poulson
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 Ten Years Later
#14 Crew Duties
March 12, 2012…Forward
Operating Base Edinburgh, Helmand province,
Afghanistan…Monday.
Sky is very clear. Air is cool and the moon is still up in the
morning. After an ugly day weather
wise yesterday, today looks to be exquisite. I was up early and took a hot shower
while most on the FOB were asleep.
We were all up late last night doing things to prepare for the
following day. Everyone was in a
good spirits and awaiting the beginning of the NCAA basketball
tournament. New Mexico has two teams in the bracket which should lend
itself to great competition. Folks
here are preparing daily for the long arduous task of redeploying. It seems it is easier to arrive rather
than to depart. Continue Rest of Story
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 11,2012
Spc
Wes Trancosa
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Ten Years Later
#13 The Expense
March 11,
2012…Forward Operating Base Edinburgh, Helmand
province, Afghanistan…Sunday again. It is the one day that I seem to not lose
track of. The others are all a
blur. The mornings are brisk with a
breeze and the daytimes are mild.
Skies have been clear and the mountains were able to be seen lately
in all directions. The snow that
covered the ones in the far off distance has mostly melted now. Dust is beginning to obscure the view
today. Here comes summer... Continue Rest of Story
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Ten Years Later
#12 Trees In The
Middle Of The Forest
March 9, 2012...Forward Operating Base Edinburgh, Helmand
province, Afghanistan…It is Friday, March 9, 2012. I
conducted an interview on Ernie. I
finished transcribing the audio. It
is now in print form. However due to
the current extreme solar flare activity the entire interview is
unavailable at the moment. Those of
us here at SPIRI FREELANCE , apologize for the inconvenience but hope you
will enjoy the photographs from today as a replacement. Sometimes, less is more. In this case, if you want more, I must
give you less. See the Picture Story HERE.
Jim
Spiri
Jimspiri@yahoo.com
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 09,2012
Gnry.
Sgt. Kendra Bowen
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 08,2012
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W2
Daniel Nicolaus
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SPC
tosa
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Ten Years Later
#11 Into The
Sunset
March 7,
2012…Forward Operating Base Edinburgh, Helmand province, Afghanistan…One mission today to pick up two working
dogs. It came late in the
afternoon. First mission in almost
three days. There is definitely a
lull now. What it is attributed to
is anyone’s guess. Whatever
the case is, quiet is good in these parts.
Everyone wants to be doing their jobs however, all accept that if
there are no missions there are no American casualties to pick up
either. That is a good thing… Continue Rest of Story
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 06,2012
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W2
Aaron Caswell
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Sgt.
Heath Petty
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SFC
Jesus Maestas
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Ten Years Later
#10 Just What
People Do
March 6, 2012…Forward
Operating Base Edinburgh, Helmand
province, Afghanistan…Tuesday, and the wind is blowing what
feels like an arctic blast. The sky
is not clear. There have been no
missions for almost two days now. We
had two medevac calls, however the folks somewhere higher up decided to
give the mission to a different group of folks who have a sort of flying
hospital on a bigger helicopter. Right before take off on both calls, we
got cancelled. It is a complicated
decision… Continue Rest of Story
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 05,2012
W2
Ryan Teves
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 04,2012
Lt.
Holly Vance
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Ten Years Later
#9
“TODAY”
March 3, 2012…Forward
Operating Base Edinburgh, Helmand
province, Afghanistan…We had one mission today. It came in the afternoon right after I
told one of the crew chiefs here that it seemed slow and I mentioned that
it was like that the day previous when it all let loose. Not ten minutes later and the call came
for a medevac. This time I was
second to the helicopter but the guy that was first forgot something. That made me first by default according
the medic Sgt. Papp. He smiled when
he told me that... Continue
Rest of Story
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AUDIO INTERVIEWS
March 03,2012
W2 Brandon Seay
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Ten Years Later
#8
“Medevac..Medevac…Medevac”
March 2, 2012…Forward Operating
Base Edinburgh, Helmand province, Afghanistan…It is at last,
heading towards midnight. It’s been a busy day, although it
started out slow. I did not think it
would be busy today. I was wrong... Continue
Rest of Story
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AUDIO INTERVIEWS
March 02,2012
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CW2 Carlos Sena
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W2 Mario Medina
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AUDIO INTERVIEW
March 01,2012
Sgt. Zachery Menzie
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Ten Years Later
#7 “Kids My
Own Age”
March 1, 2012…Forward
Operating Base Edinburgh, Helmand
province, Afghanistan…It is Thursday, March 1. The sun was shining all day and it was
actually warm. Spring is for sure on
its way and it will be short. Summer
will arrive with a vengeance bringing unbearably hot weather. For now though, it was comfortable. But, today was busy and sad. Continue
Rest of Story
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AUDIO INTERVIEWS
February 29,2012
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Staff Sargent Ian Weiger. Picture was taken on February
29, 2012.
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Crew Chief Sgt Felicia Espinosa,
33-years-old, from the Arizona National Guard, is seen caring for an
injured Afghan national in Helmand province that was hit by a vehicle and
medevaced to a medical facility for treatment. Photo by Jim Spiri, SPIRI
FREELANCE
Sgt Felicia Espinosa
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Ten Years Later
#6 Simple
Amenities
February 28,
2012…Forward Operating Base Edinburgh, Helmand province, Afghanistan…Today is Tuesday. It is sunny, but cold. There is still mud all over the place. I’ve been fighting a cold that has
crept up on me. One of the Captains here who is a medical professional gave
me some cold remedy stuff and it seemed to have let me get a good
night’s sleep. I was very
thankful to him as well as another soldier who handed me another remedy
called “airborne” that helps as well. There is no doubt these guys look after
me…. Continue
Rest of Story
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AUDIO INTERVIEWS
February 27,2012
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Sgt Cliff Aughe, Awarded the
prestigious
QUAD A NCO of the year!
Sgt Cliff Aughe
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Sgt Eric Papp, from Minnesota National Guard speaks about his
deployment working with NM Guard
Sgt Eric Papp
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Sgt Jason
Bowen.
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February 27, 2012 - Jim Spiri, forward operating base Edinburgh, Helmand
province, Afghanistan...
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Ten Years Later
#5 FOB Edinburgh
February 26,
2012…Forward Operating Base Edinburgh…It is Sunday. Skies are cloudy and it is a bit
windy. It’s possible that
weather could play a factor in today’s events. This is a Marine base. The Army medevac unit from New Mexico that I am with services the USMC as their
customer. It is a unique
relationship and one that has received high accolades from all
involved. I love being here. Continue
Rest of Story
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February 25, 2012... on a run from Camp Dwyer to
Forward Operating Base Edinburgh in Helmand province,
Afghanistan
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AUDIO INTERVIEWS
February 25,2012
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Spc. Armando Martinez, a crew chief on Blackhawk medevac helicopters, is seen here with a military working dog that is being transported for treatment. Martinez is from Santa Fe, NM and is
part of C-company, 1st BN,
171st AVN Regiment serving at forward operating base Edinburgh, in Helmand province Afghanistan.
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Sgt Meg Ford, 28-years-old, is
pictured here at Camp
Dwyer,
Helmand
province, Afghanistan. Ford is a flight medic serving with
C-Company, 1st BN, 171st AVN
Reg, of the New Mexico National Guard
Sgt. Meg Ford
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AUDIO INTERVIEWS
February 24,2012
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Feb 24,
Jim Spiri
Jerry Moya
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Feb 24, Jim Spiri
Sgt. Benavidez
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Feb 24, Jim Spiri
Sgt. Hardisty
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Feb 24, Jim Spiri
Capt. James Mitchell
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Feb 24, Jim Spiri
1st Sgt. Charles
Boyer
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AUDIO INTERVIEWS
February 23,2012
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Feb 23, 2012 Jim Spiri -
CW2 Patrick Magill
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Feb 23, 2012 Jim Spiri -
Curtis Tenorio
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Feb 23, 2012 Jim Spiri –
Sgt Albino Griego
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Ten Years Later
#4 Helmand Province Afghanistan
February 22-23,
2012…Kandahar Air Field to Helmand
province Afghanistan…It is now Thursday, February 23, 2012. I have
arrived at my destination, Helmand
province Afghanistan. This is
where I feel best to have been brought to in Afghanistan. I left
the Media Support Center on Kandahar Air Field at 1030 hrs on Wednesday,
February 22. The public affairs folks
at this place were superb and took exceptional care of me. They are a reserve unit from South Carolina. They did
a wonderful job… Continue
Rest of Story
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2-21-2012 “On Walk-About at Kandahar Air Field
  
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Ten Years Later
#3
Wintering in Afghanistan
February 20, 2012…Kandahar
Air Field, Afghanistan. I’m
in a new place that I’ve been to before. Kandahar
Air Field, Afghanistan. I’ve actually been in the exact room
I am sitting in right now. It was over
110-degrees last time I was here and crowded with other embed hopefuls. Now, it’s like a ghost town and the
rain has flooded everything including a fair portion of the room I’m
in. Sitting here at 2:00 AM, barefoot,
tired but needing to write, I ponder a few things that I’ve done this
week and during my life. – ALSO
- This story also
features an Audio of a miraculous meeting of longtime family friend, Sgt 1st
Class Clay Sauer when Jim got to Kandahar late last night….
Continue Rest of Story
TEN YEARS LATER
#2 Snow Day Delay
February 18, 2012…Kabul,
Afghanistan. It is Saturday and
all things are on hold. I arrived on
Friday morning around 10:00
AM in a snow storm.
Flying over Kabul and
peering out the window seat, it wasn’t until about five minutes prior
to landing did I see the terrain below.
We had come in through clouds and all I could see was white. Then….. Continue Rest of Story
TEN YEARS LATER
#1 The Serving Observatorianist
It is February 15th.
I am in an airport on my way to Afghanistan, one more time. The most common question lately to me is,
“Why go again?” The answer
is elusive at times but always in my being.
It is a matter of serving those who serve. Continue Rest of
Story
Jims Latest FaceBook posts!
17 February 2012...arrived in Kabul to a snow storm. It's cold, wet, and of
course, it's Afghanistan. Got to the base, stood in the snow for
quite some time, then realized I was back in the zone again. Nothing happens
fast. Got a cot in a tent with a bunch of soldiers from Belgium. Had coffee, found the bathrooms, found
the internet. Now, a waiting game to fly south to Kandahar. Not gonna move for several days is the
word. The snow is beautiful, but, it is cold and wet. Flying commercial in Afghanistan is not so bad, but, would rather fly
mil-air. Too bad all those empty seats won't let me on. Check back for his
next story!.
February
18, 2012...Kabul, Afghanistan.
Snowing all day long. Not going anywhere fast today, or for several days now.
Did not factor in getting stuck in a huge snow storm. Will take photos today
of the snow. Jim
Note from Jim’s semi-webmaster….. We are
Posting Jim’s Facebook status reports here until we get his official
story…. Stay tuned…. David
Jim Spiri and Governor of New Mexico, Susana
Martinez,
discuss Spiri's upcoming embed with New Mexico National Guard troops
in Afghanistan. February 10, 2012 Santa Fe, NM.
Click Here
to listen to the Discussion. MP3 Format…
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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 AUDIO 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 ---
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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.
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