My First Cigarette
On a routine patrol in Lebanon, a friend of mine stepped on a Hezbollah landmine and died along with five other soldiers. Two weeks later we were sent to that same spot to prove the IDF could not be deterred. My transformation into an outsider with no trust in authority began during that briefing.
But I went into Lebanon like I was told to do, and walked around the beautiful land filled with unexploded landmines from a thousand years of war. Lost in my thoughts, I walked in a straight line, trampling over fences and crop on my way to nowhere.
Then I felt my right leg stuck. My left leg was free but a tight wire was stretched over my right leg and I suddenly realized I was going to die. To this day I’m not sure if there was any way for me to stop or if I just let myself continue because after two years in the army I just didn’t care anymore. So I pulled my right leg up and waited for the end.
Back in the camp, I lay on my bed and thought about it all, or maybe I wasn’t thinking at all. A new guy came over and asked me about the patrol. He offered me a Marlboro Red.
21 comments:
Oh snap! You're first-cigarette story is so much more exciting than mine.
...we were sent to that same spot to prove the IDF could not be deterred.
Loving that part. Wish I could read more.
I'm assuming it was a dud? The few photos you have up it looks like you have two legs and all. I'm so glad we don't have a manditory army in the US like in Israel. My brother put in three years of active duty and 5 of reserves though. Thank God (Goddess, Luck, or whatever did it for him) that his time was between the two Gulf Wars.
I would think an experience like that would merit a cigarette. I would have preferred a bottle of gin myself.
Soooo lucky you weren't injured or killed, OMG! Well, hey, your time in the army may have been nerve-wracking, but at least you got a great first cigarette story out of it... right?
By the way, your pictures that you are putting up, they are just classic, absolutely great.
And your profile pic, man, that is beautiful, it makes me really sad, but at the same time, really happy... hmmmmm...
You have just been blogrolled!
Love your blog. This story just sucked me right in, thank you for sharing.
durante, how stupid was that? As if there's anything wrong about being deterred by a place filled with landmines. He was a new general and needed to prove himself (which means sending his minions to die).
Scot, actually it was insane. I was lying there for about an hour unable to move.
Sebastien, maybe the profile picture is both sad and happy. Buddy was this crazy independent monster for many years but in his old age he's very much into hugs. So I love that he's relaxed and loving, but at the same time, it's sad that he's getting older and losing his energy.
Red, thanks and welcome. Hope you stick around even if I can't do the daily-post-thing.
Amazing story. I agree with Scot; a cigarette wouldn't cut it. I'd be plunging into the vodka.
Who Hijacked Our Country
Wow. All who serve and face such dangers like u earn my respect.
And just look at dat cute li'l doggy. AW!
Sorry, I'm a sucker for dogs.
Tom, I knew how to take my gun apart in 40 seconds, I knew how to throw a grenade, how to fire a rocket launcher, and how to clean a machine gun, but I didn't have a drink until I got out of the army. Actually, I'm exaggerating. I had wine on Passovers.
WAT, don't know... I would personally prefer to have more people question the authority of others to use their lives as career opportunities. I was just a kid who thought he was doing the right thing but knew nothing about the world. I didn't know what I was doing in Lebanon and I didn't know that I didn't really have to be there. Serving my country is a meaningful phrase, but unfortunately it applied to my time in Lebanon just as little as it does now to the soldiers in Iraq.
But hey, if my little corner of the internet doesn't end the war, at least it makes more people like Pit Bulls. We all have our roles in this world.
So you're trying to end the war? That's an undertaking.
I appreciate your comments. I would hate to be considered one who doesn't "support our troops" because I think most of them are dumbasses who didn't know what to do after high school, but you're right in that many don't know what the hell they are fighting for.
You're my new best friend. Now tell the Republicans party about your experience. Maybe we can make a cool commercial.
durante, Republicans have long passed the point of reason when it comes to the war. They're willing to sit back and watch the disaster unfold. After all, it's not much of a sacrifice to put a yellow ribbon on your car. It's a magnet so it won't even leave a mark when they replace it with the next ribbon they're told to put up. The sanctity of marriage, fetuses, the ten commandments, securing "the American way of life"--there's so much space at the back of an SUV.
As for me trying to end of war... I don't know if I ever actually had an undertaking. Pretty sad, no? I just write what I feel.
And thanks for that and for the comments. As therapeutic as it is to just get stuff out, I don't know if I would have been able to continue without comments.
It does feel the real meat of the blog is in the back and forth of comments. that's what makes it a forum and a discussion rather than a soap box. And frankly I'm not sure that flimsy cardboard thing the Cascade comes in could hold us all up anyway.
I like the personality that comes through in the interaction.
"there's so much space at the back of an SUV" How true that is.
Thank you. I hate that stupid ribbon. It is so Republican to do that--as if those that don't have the ribbon, do not support the troops.
Comments are fun, and I have found a new addiction in them.
Thanks. I couldn't have done it without you.
And as for the ribbon, where does the money go to? Over here, where they sell ribbons for $3.95 and Support the Troops shirts for $17, they say "A portion of each sale is donated to the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund." This Freedom Alliance was founded by Oliver North, with a mission statement of "encouraging military service, defending the sovereignty of the United States and promoting a strong national defense."
So although the "portion" goes to the fund, the surrealism is still there. When you buy a Support the Troops ribbon from Stars and Stripes shop, you align yourself with the same group that aims to keep them in Iraq.
Still, probably better then most places, where supporting the troops means supporting internet commerce.
And if you still need an explanation as to the way a yellow ribbon helps troops, this company says: "A Continual Visible Display Of A Yellow Ribbon
Can Go A Long Way For Our Troops....."
If they say so.
He should have offered you a shot of something mighty strong to go along with that.
Great cigarette story...I've been wanting to comment on your site but my spam blocker would not allow me the pleasure.
I've since changed software and here I am.
Maritza, the mighty strong stuff came after I got out of the army.
Let's Talk, thanks. Spam blockers will one day take over the world. We must destroy them before they destroy us.
A Continual Visible Display Of A Yellow Ribbon Can Go A Long Way For Our Troops
Well, that too is the Republican way. Name it something, although inappropriate, and people will believe: No Child Left Behind.
Say something long enough, and people will believe: Smear campaign, like that executed by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.
It is scary, PitS. Very scary.
They're good at that, you have to hand it to them. They have a gift of making people think what they want them to think. Now, if only...
I was in a party once and a guy boasted about his excellent selling skills, actually using the words ice and Eskimo in one sentence. I should have said, "So, what you're saying is that you have good social skills and that you're persuasive and energetic and full of charisma, and what do you do with this gift? Do you use it to make the world a better place? No. You sell computer software." But I didn't. It was a party, after all.
What's wrong with selling computer software? It does make the world a better place - your blog wouldn't exist otherwise :)
Jokes apart... I think you truly can teach a thing or two about life if not the meaning of it (if such meaning exists)to us readers.
Read your "army" posts amazing stuff.
I don't blame either side (though I do tend to lean a bit towards Israel) but both sides have to make compromises to get peace to last. I hope in another 5 years the Palestine-Israel issue becomes stuff of history not current affairs.
SJ, you're right about selling software. Damn, you blew my mind again.
As for the next 5 years... I remember as a child thinking I might not have to go to the army when I grew up. Then, when I was there, I was hoping the next generation wouldn't have to go. But it still doesn't look any closer. Maybe after Bush goes home (or to jail) things will get better.
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