Friday, March 28, 2008

quick back home update

It's been great being back home again to see how much things have changed, and at the same time the things that have remained the same. Michelle, Addy and I have had a blast seeing family and spending time with everyone. When we flew in to Cedar Rapids we were all so tired from spending the night in the Chicago Airport at the USO there. We spent Easter dinner with my parents then we went to Victor to spend time with Michelle's family until Thursday. It's almost time to go back to Germany... *sigh* I miss home. I really do...

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Monday, March 17, 2008

facta cum honore

During my lunch break today I was thinking about what I should write about in my next blog. As I sat there sipping my coffee my units motto ‘Facta Cum Honore’ crossed my mind. In Latin the phrase facta cum honore means ‘achievement with honor’. As I dwelled on that phrase I was overcome with a sense of pride in serving my country. Looking out the window over post I was filled with pride to be serving in the greatest country in the world. It’s amazing how much the Army has changed my view about life in general. Three years ago before I even enlisted in the military I never thought I would find myself in the position that I am today. I never thought I would be serving my country in the Army. Now I find it to be the greatest achievement of my life to be an American Soldier.
Thinking of the Soldier’s Creed in which we as an Army base ourselves upon is extremely motivating. Maybe this sense of patriotism is overcoming me because we are preparing to deploy and I want to keep my head held high. Or maybe this Army thing is really starting to grow on me more and more.
Reading the Soldier’s Creed below I’d like you to understand the honor of what it’s like to wear the uniform today.

"I am an American Soldier.
I am a Warrior and a member of a team.
I serve the people of the United States and live the
Army Values.

I will never accept defeat.
I will never quit.
I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough,
Trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.
I will always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.

I am an expert and a professional.
I stand ready to deploy, engage and destroy
The enemies of the United States of America
In close combat.

I am guardian of freedom and
The American way of life.

I am an American Soldier."



Maybe its finally kicked in of who I am supposed to be, an American Soldier. Achievement with honor...

Wilcox out

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Thursday, March 13, 2008

JOURNAL of IRAQ - APFT

This morning we took the APFT (Army Physical Fitness Test), and I’m very happy to say that I passed. I didn’t do as well as I’d hoped I would but, none the less I passed so I’m happy either way. Just to explain more about the APFT for the folks at home it is a test of our individual physical status. During the test you have to see how many push-ups you can do in two minuets and how many sit-ups you can do in two minuets. After the push-ups and sit-ups you have to run two miles as fast as you can. There is a certain standard you have to meet, and it graded by age and sex groups. Overall it’s not so horrible as it sounds. Now I can take a big sigh of relief and relax knowing now that I’ve passed my PT test and can relax a little bit now!

There is one week left until we go on block leave! I can’t wait to get home and see everyone. It’s crazy how much I have missed Iowa. It’ll be great to be back home. Until then... pro deo et patria, facta cum honore!

Wilcox out

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Tuesday, March 11, 2008

JOURNAL of IRAQ - pre-deployment thoughts


I’ve been in the Army now for a little over two years now. It’s amazing how far along I’ve come since day one of Basic Training. I knew from the moment I raised my right hand what I was getting myself into. I knew that I would find myself in a combat zone, whether it being Iraq or Afghanistan.
It’s hard to believe that in a little over a month from now I will be heading to my first deployment in Iraq. The reality seems to creep in more and more every day as our flight date nears. Soon I will find myself fighting to protect the democracy of a terror torn country. I will see things I’ve never seen before and images that will forever be kept in my mind.
My mind seems rushing right now of how feel about the current situation in Iraq. I have mixed feelings that are driven by either political beliefs, or what I am trained to do as an American Soldier. I can’t stop thinking of the fact that I could leave for Iraq and never come back. At the same time I’m starting to wonder why the hell I even signed up for the Army in the first place.
Speaking as someone who hasn’t been to a combat zone yet, I feel that the war in Iraq is utterly pointless. We have been in Iraq for over five years now and what do we have to show for it; almost 4,000 dead American’s and a government getting frustrated with our efforts? Or perhaps a country that seems to be digging deeper and deeper into a civil war, or our presence as a “coalition of the willing” seems to have more than outworn its welcome. As I write this I’m very curious to see how my feelings and thoughts will change after what seems will be 15 months of a living hell. Until then… pro deo et patria, facta cum honore! -- Wilcox Out


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