Editor,
I saw the movie “Fury” tonight and it bothered me. The new guy got into the tank and cleaned out the blood from the guy he replaced.
After my team was ambushed in Iraq, we pulled in the remains of my best friend and fled the attack. His blood covered the seats and floor. We cleaned and bleached that vehicle as well as we could but it forever had the smell of the horror of combat.
For months after that ambush, I rode as gunner in the vehicle. I hated getting into it in the morning. It was the first one in our convoy. Every time I mounted the gun and we got on the road the smell reminded me of the stakes of what we were doing.
One evening another captain told me we were going on a convoy the next morning. He asked me if I was going to ride first gun. Almost jokingly I said “I’ve been leading with my chin for months. Somebody else can do it tomorrow.”
I rode third truck. That day the first vehicle hit a copper IED and tore through my friend in the gunners seat. He had a pregnant wife and just as much reason to live. I can’t let go of the “what ifs.”
I came home bearing that guilt. I was very inspired to make my time on this earth worthwhile. Near the end of “Saving Private Ryan,” Tom Hanks told the young private “Earn this!”
I try. I’m in the Lord’s hands. I hold that sacrosanct and I did what I could to help my soldiers. I do what I can to help Iowans.
Our VA is failing our veterans. We are giving pink slips to people while they are deployed so they cannot retire and we can meet our “peacetime budgets.” I was fortunate enough to work with another veteran this election cycle, Samuel H. Clovis, as he fought to reform our public pension system.
I am also proud that this week we elected Joni Ernst for Senate. Senator Ernst understands the sacrifice of our uniformed women and men. I am grateful we now have an Iowan representing our state that has seen the hell of our recent time at war. I wouldn’t wish my experience on anyone. I hope my son never has to witness that kind of sacrifice. But for those of us that have, I am grateful we now have an advocate that gets it.
John Thompson
Jefferson, IA
Political Director
Iowans for Sam Clovis
