Another Soldiers Perspective
Thread Starter
Chapter President
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,983
Likes: 1
From: Sedalia, Texas
Another Soldiers Perspective
Montrose soldier serves in Iraq; believes U.S. making a difference
James Shea
Daily Press Writer
MONTROSE — Spc. Lane Powell joined the U.S. Army to see the world and help his country. He is currently serving in Iraq and is looking forward to returning home.
Powell recently corresponded with the Daily Press via e-mail. He discussed his training in the military and reasons for enlisting.
When asked why he joined, Powell stated, “I still wonder sometimes why I enlisted. I just walked into the recruiter’s station one day and signed up. I enlisted for many reason: college money, seeing the world, experiencing new things, but overall I just wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. Joining the military was one of the most selfless things you can do. I joined to get some purpose and meaning in my life. “
Powell said he considered going to college right out of high school but opted to join the service.
“The military just looked fun,” he state.
Powell wrote that he misses Montrose, especially the mountains and the outdoors in Colorado. He added that he longs for his friends and family and looks forward to returning.
“I miss fishing in the Gunnison and snowboarding in Telluride,” he said. “I also miss my friends back home. I know they have probably forgotten me, but I still remember them.”
After enlisting in 2003, Powell trained in Korea and then transferred to Iraq. He stated that he enjoyed Korea and “now that I’m in Iraq, I would return in a heartbeat.”
For Powell, being stationed in Korea had its pitfalls. His father passed away and he only gets to see his family on a limited basis.
“I didn’t get to see him the whole year I was over there, then I came back to the states for three months and deployed to Iraq. I have seen my family bits and pieces in the last two years and I am anxious to get home to them.”
He said there are many challenges in Iraq and dangers for him and his fellow soldiers. He is stationed in Tel Afar and works with a team of mechanics. The group rescues tanks that have been disabled or ruined from insurgent bombs.
“Being in Iraq is a very stressful environment. It’s hot, your constantly running missions and the workload never stops,” Powell stated.
He said he has interacted with people in Iraq but believes language is a major barrier. He said the he believes in the U.S. mission in Iraq.
“The things we have accomplished over here have made a huge difference in the future of Iraq,” Powell wrote. “I am optimistic about the situation in Iraq. America doesn’t see everything that goes on here. I was the same way before I deployed here. I say nobody can make a judgment about the situation unless they are here.”
He said the threat of terrorism is real in Iraq but believes the majority of the Iraqi people do not want the violence.
“The Iraqi people, for the most part, are very peaceful and just want to live in peace. What these people have experienced and still are experiencing is unbelievable. Terrorism is a very real threat in our city. The people used to be scared to stand up to the terrorists until we got here. Now things are better.”
He said Iraq is trying to organize a government and take control of its institutions.
“I would tell the American people not to believe everything they see on the news,” Powell wrote. “We are in Iraq and bad things do happen over here. The media tends to focus on those things more than the good things. I myself have seen bad things but I am still optimistic because I see the good too and it greatly outweighs the bad.”
Powell said he looks forward to returning to Montrose and seeing friends and family.
He is also hoping for the more mundane American experiences.
“I want to go snowboarding and drive again,” Powell said.
James Shea
Daily Press Writer
MONTROSE — Spc. Lane Powell joined the U.S. Army to see the world and help his country. He is currently serving in Iraq and is looking forward to returning home.
Powell recently corresponded with the Daily Press via e-mail. He discussed his training in the military and reasons for enlisting.
When asked why he joined, Powell stated, “I still wonder sometimes why I enlisted. I just walked into the recruiter’s station one day and signed up. I enlisted for many reason: college money, seeing the world, experiencing new things, but overall I just wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. Joining the military was one of the most selfless things you can do. I joined to get some purpose and meaning in my life. “
Powell said he considered going to college right out of high school but opted to join the service.
“The military just looked fun,” he state.
Powell wrote that he misses Montrose, especially the mountains and the outdoors in Colorado. He added that he longs for his friends and family and looks forward to returning.
“I miss fishing in the Gunnison and snowboarding in Telluride,” he said. “I also miss my friends back home. I know they have probably forgotten me, but I still remember them.”
After enlisting in 2003, Powell trained in Korea and then transferred to Iraq. He stated that he enjoyed Korea and “now that I’m in Iraq, I would return in a heartbeat.”
For Powell, being stationed in Korea had its pitfalls. His father passed away and he only gets to see his family on a limited basis.
“I didn’t get to see him the whole year I was over there, then I came back to the states for three months and deployed to Iraq. I have seen my family bits and pieces in the last two years and I am anxious to get home to them.”
He said there are many challenges in Iraq and dangers for him and his fellow soldiers. He is stationed in Tel Afar and works with a team of mechanics. The group rescues tanks that have been disabled or ruined from insurgent bombs.
“Being in Iraq is a very stressful environment. It’s hot, your constantly running missions and the workload never stops,” Powell stated.
He said he has interacted with people in Iraq but believes language is a major barrier. He said the he believes in the U.S. mission in Iraq.
“The things we have accomplished over here have made a huge difference in the future of Iraq,” Powell wrote. “I am optimistic about the situation in Iraq. America doesn’t see everything that goes on here. I was the same way before I deployed here. I say nobody can make a judgment about the situation unless they are here.”
He said the threat of terrorism is real in Iraq but believes the majority of the Iraqi people do not want the violence.
“The Iraqi people, for the most part, are very peaceful and just want to live in peace. What these people have experienced and still are experiencing is unbelievable. Terrorism is a very real threat in our city. The people used to be scared to stand up to the terrorists until we got here. Now things are better.”
He said Iraq is trying to organize a government and take control of its institutions.
“I would tell the American people not to believe everything they see on the news,” Powell wrote. “We are in Iraq and bad things do happen over here. The media tends to focus on those things more than the good things. I myself have seen bad things but I am still optimistic because I see the good too and it greatly outweighs the bad.”
Powell said he looks forward to returning to Montrose and seeing friends and family.
He is also hoping for the more mundane American experiences.
“I want to go snowboarding and drive again,” Powell said.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Glendale(Phoenix),AZ.
Thank You, for posting Spc. Powell's story &, especially, his impressions of what is, actually, going on in Iraq. The vast majority of interviews, that I've heard, of troops "on the ground" in Iraq & Afganistan share his sentiments. It's a shame our liberally, biased news media chooses to give us THEIR impression of what's going on over there.
I'm not a genius, nor am I a war monger. I don't like violence but, sometimes you've got to take a stand. Radical Islam is not going to be happy til it takes over the world, including our country. Frankly, I'm not quite ready to convert to Islam. Therefore, I, along with most of the rest of us will be considered "infidels" & our punishment will be having our heads chopped off.
Since I am already "vertically challenged" (short), the thought of having my head being chopped off is unacceptable to me, as I'm sure it is to the rest of you.
It seems to me that one does not need to be a genius or a war monger to figure out that "Radical Islam" needs to be STOPPED, NOW. I believe it's better to take care of the problem now, rather than wait til they get even stronger and then have to deal with them. 911 woke me up, along with many others.
What I have a difficult time understanding is, the opinion of many in this country, that we should not be, at least, making an attempt to stop this attack on our country & the world. I don't know if these people are just scared, or what. Hell, we're all scared!!! Sometimes, you just have to get off your sit-down parts and take care of the problem. Personally, I thank God we have a President & Administration that has the guts to do their job & try to protect our country & its interests. I, especially, thank the Men & Women that go in "harms way" to do the dirty work, putting their lives, health & safety on the line, FOR US, each & every day.
Regardless of what each persons opinion of whether we should be in Iraq, or not, is, we are there. In my opinion, we need to have a presence in the Middle East if only to try to maintain some stability in this region. It appears Iran may become a very real problem, in the near future, & having a military presence in close proximity will certainly be beneficial to our interests.
Since Our economy & the economys of many countries are so dependent on oil, stability in the Middle East is absolutely necessary. The practitioners of Radical Islam know this & would not hessitate to do what ever it takes to disrupt the oil flow. Their lives & interests are not oil dependent but, they know ours are & that we can, probably, be brought to our knees by stopping the flow of oil. They are right. We, absolutely, need to do something to protect our lives, interests & lifestyles. I believe it's the DUTY of our President, Government, Military & the rest of us to protect ourselves. For the life of me, I can't understand why anyone would think differently.
Well, I'm glad I got that off my chest. I'm now going to change into my asbestos underwear & outerclothing & post my reply.
But, before I do, I want to, again, thank all the Men & Women that are serving this country so that we can live freely & without fear.
Joe F.(Buffalo)
I'm not a genius, nor am I a war monger. I don't like violence but, sometimes you've got to take a stand. Radical Islam is not going to be happy til it takes over the world, including our country. Frankly, I'm not quite ready to convert to Islam. Therefore, I, along with most of the rest of us will be considered "infidels" & our punishment will be having our heads chopped off.
Since I am already "vertically challenged" (short), the thought of having my head being chopped off is unacceptable to me, as I'm sure it is to the rest of you.
It seems to me that one does not need to be a genius or a war monger to figure out that "Radical Islam" needs to be STOPPED, NOW. I believe it's better to take care of the problem now, rather than wait til they get even stronger and then have to deal with them. 911 woke me up, along with many others.
What I have a difficult time understanding is, the opinion of many in this country, that we should not be, at least, making an attempt to stop this attack on our country & the world. I don't know if these people are just scared, or what. Hell, we're all scared!!! Sometimes, you just have to get off your sit-down parts and take care of the problem. Personally, I thank God we have a President & Administration that has the guts to do their job & try to protect our country & its interests. I, especially, thank the Men & Women that go in "harms way" to do the dirty work, putting their lives, health & safety on the line, FOR US, each & every day.
Regardless of what each persons opinion of whether we should be in Iraq, or not, is, we are there. In my opinion, we need to have a presence in the Middle East if only to try to maintain some stability in this region. It appears Iran may become a very real problem, in the near future, & having a military presence in close proximity will certainly be beneficial to our interests.
Since Our economy & the economys of many countries are so dependent on oil, stability in the Middle East is absolutely necessary. The practitioners of Radical Islam know this & would not hessitate to do what ever it takes to disrupt the oil flow. Their lives & interests are not oil dependent but, they know ours are & that we can, probably, be brought to our knees by stopping the flow of oil. They are right. We, absolutely, need to do something to protect our lives, interests & lifestyles. I believe it's the DUTY of our President, Government, Military & the rest of us to protect ourselves. For the life of me, I can't understand why anyone would think differently.
Well, I'm glad I got that off my chest. I'm now going to change into my asbestos underwear & outerclothing & post my reply.
But, before I do, I want to, again, thank all the Men & Women that are serving this country so that we can live freely & without fear.
Joe F.(Buffalo)
Banned
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 0
Joe,
I don't think the asbestos, Nomex, or any other type fire retardant is necessary around here.
Our service men and women deserve the kind of support that you, I, and most others in this community give them. They make everything we do possible by their bravery, self sacrifice, and commitment to freedom!
I don't think the asbestos, Nomex, or any other type fire retardant is necessary around here.
Our service men and women deserve the kind of support that you, I, and most others in this community give them. They make everything we do possible by their bravery, self sacrifice, and commitment to freedom!
Thread Starter
Chapter President
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,983
Likes: 1
From: Sedalia, Texas
Here's another "good" story from Montrose Colorado. There must be some pretty patriotic folks there. 
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/conte...omecoming.html
http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/conte...omecoming.html
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post