SITREP from Iraq

Email from Iraq | Oct. 2004 | Lt.Col. Nettles

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

I have waited a few days to draft this, because I wanted to get it in the right perspective. Sunday morning, October 24th at 4:45am a Department of State employee Ed Seitz was killed when a 128 mm rocket exploded near a shower trailer that he was in.

That morning I awoke early and could not go back to sleep. Normally on Sunday morning I try to go for a little longer run than the other three days of the week that I try to run. This Sunday, I was tired and cranky from it being a long week and the day, being just another work day. I decided to go shave and shower and try to make a few phone calls back to the states, since it would still be Saturday night there. Instead of the normal shower trailer I decided to walk to an old one I used to use. It is far from most of the living areas and not used by many people. I got there, walked in and hung my towel and robe on a hook by the showers. I made my way over to the sinks, begin brushing my teeth. I had just started shaving when in walked a civilian. I did not know the man, but recognized him as the one we called Panama Jack.

We called him that because of his rough and ready appearance. Whenever I had seen him before he was always carrying an AR 14 rifle and a hip holstered 9mm pistol. He also wore a Saudi style head scarf around his neck and a tan floppy hat. The hat being the primary reason we called him Panama Jack. I wondered what he was doing there, since I had never seen him in that shower trailer before. He probably wondered the same about me. We did not talk as I was intent on scraping the beard from my face and he went about his daily routine in the row of sinks behind me. I turned and looked at him one more time, because I noticed he had a set of keys hanging from an armband. Hadn't seen that before and caught my eye. Thought to myself probably a good way to carry them back and forth to the shower and not risk losing them. I finished up and washed my face and packed my shaving kit. I turned and started toward the shower area of the trailer. I had taken maybe two steps, positioning myself just about in line with a water heater. In the next instant the trailer seemed to explode.

My body registered the blast and the concussion. Something struck me in the head and I reflexively ducked, bringing my left hand up to protect my face. Instinctively I reached for the weapon that is normally on my hip, just like the training had taught us. But my weapon was not there, don't usually carry it to the shower. I had seen sparks and my mind tried to rationalize that the water heater must have blown up. I felt steam and moisture. I tried to orient myself in the now dark, smoky dust filled trailer. I called to Panama Jack, "Hey buddy you alright". No answer. My ears rang from the explosion. I decided I had better try and find the door, just in case something else exploded. I could see an outline of the door, even though it was still dark outside. I stumbled across the trailer and felt the door.Finally found the door knob and got the door opened. I looked out into the dark and smoke, but lighter than inside the trailer. Holding my hand up still to the left side of my head, I turned and tried to see in the trailer. I called back to Panama Jack, "Hey can you hear me, come towards my voice, come toward the light", still nothing. I peered into the trailer trying to see something. I didn't want to venture back in for fear the floor of the trailer was gone. I realized we had been hit by something, but not sure what. Just then someone came up the stairs towards me, a soldier. He asked if I was okay. I told him, "I'm okay, but there is someone inside and I think he is bad hurt". Just then I looked down at the metal steps and notice blood dripping on the steps and realize it was mine.

The soldier grabbed my arm and led me down the steps. He had me sit down. By now there were several people around. I told them, " You need to get inside and get that man outta there". I asked if anyone had a towel because every time I moved my hand, more blood came out. I could not see out of my left eye because of the blood. Finally someone came up and put a pressure bandage on my scalp wound. Combat Camera came by and asked if they could take a picture, I said yes, knowing that it was important to document what had happened. A chaplain sat down beside me and asked me some questions, told me I was going to be okay.

After a while they got me up and walked me to an ambulance. The chaplain prayed for me before they took me to the medical clinic. I ended up with a few stitches to my scalp, some to my neck and some shrapnel taken from my arm and back. My hearing is still ringing but I am hoping over time that will improve.

I later found out that the man we called Panama Jack's real name was Ed Seitz. Mr. Seitz never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead at the medical center. Ed Seitz died in the service of his country and for the cause of liberty and freedom of others. I decided to write this so as to honor Mr. Seitz's devotion to his country and freedom. Those enemies of peace and freedom shall never shake the will of the American people or our coalition allies, so long as the Ed Seitz's of the world are willing to step up and serve their country. America and a free Iraq will prevail.

I have gone back and looked at the trailer. People tell me how lucky I was. I think I was protected by Devine intervention. A few more steps and I would have been right in the middle of it My towel and robe both had several shrapnel holes in them, had I waited and had been standing at the sink, then I might not be here either. I thank God every morning that I am still alive and pray that he guides me to do his work here. My thoughts and prayers are also with Mr. Seitz family. To a great American, Ed Seitz, from just a little part of the war,

A. B. NETTLES
LTC, IO
MNC-I Team Chief

[Eaker]

Thanks for adding the link, big guy!

[thackney]

Thanks for the ping

BTTT

God Bless all who serve and those that assist these brave soldiers.

[Dog Gone]

Great post, HC.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Allegra,

Thanks and glad you're safe. BTW Nettles is single, about 6' tall, has a law degree, and is a Texan. You might want to say hi before you leave. ;-)

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

IMO this isn't a vanity. Thanks for posting.

Thanks. I had to retry 3 times to get it to post and forgot to add Vanity the last time. I guess they let you get away with that if you only post one thread every 3 years or so! ;-)

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

A friend of mine worked for Bently on that campaign

Who's your friend? I worked on that campaign and know most of them.

[Allegra]

BTW Nettles is single, about 6' tall, has a law degree, and is a Texan. You might want to say hi before you leave. ;-)

Oh, really? :-) I'll be passing through that base on my way out in December and passing back through on my way back in again in January.

Unfortunately, it's a huge base with LOTS of troops. You can't really hook up with someone unelss it's prearranged. Another FReeper and I are trying to meet and say "hey" during my pass-through.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Thanks Tom.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Thanks DG.

[airborne]

A very powerful story. I have a brother who is doing the same job as Seitz, so I freaked out when this story was first reported. Thank you, and feel free to post more like this.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Thanks, I've never posted a thread because I find if I just wait a little while someone else will do it and never thought I had anything important enough to post a vanity.