Eight service members wounded in combat, some retired and some still serving, returned to Iraq Sunday, Oct. 11, to see the progress that has been made, find some closure and to leave on their own terms.
"I wanted to come back the first time basically because I needed closure," Sgt. Robert H. Brown, Moncks Corner, S.C., said. "There was a chapter of my life that hadn't ended and this was one of the best ways to get that accomplished."
Brown has returned for the second Operation Proper Exit, a United Service Organization program sponsored by the Army and the Troops First Foundation, to serve as a mentor for his fellow wounded warriors.
"Hopefully, we get them that sense of closure, that feeling, not necessarily on the physical side but on the psychological side," Brown said.
He explained the program basically started with a group of veterans having dinner with Richard Kell, Troops First Foundation executive director, when Kell asked them if they were interested in returning to Iraq, many said yes.
The success of the first trip earlier this year, and support from Multi-National Force-Iraq Commanding General Raymond T. Odierno and MNF-I Command Sergeant Major Lawrence Wilson, allowed for seven more Soldiers and one Marine to spend a week visiting camps, Soldiers, and get some range time with a variety of weapons.
The group visited locations throughout Iraq during their one-week visit. Monday morning the warriors boarded a C-130 aircraft and flew to Forward Operating Base Sykes, outside Tal Afar. They were welcomed by the 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment. After an update on the unit's mission and partnership efforts with the Iraqi army, the Soldiers were given a tour of the tactical operations center.
Cpl. Craig Chavez and Sgt. John Hyland exchanged handshakes and hugs with familiar faces.
Both Soldiers had been serving with the 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, when they were injured in 2005. Hyland's left leg was amputated below the knee from injuries sustained by an improvised explosive device while on a rescue patrol.
"It was great to see these guys again, I actually got to see one of the medics who saved my life that day," Hyland said.
Each of the service members met with a sponsor of an equivalent rank to share experiences and talk about how deployments have changed over time, a theme that was continued throughout the week.
Staff Sgt. Andrew Macvey, 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry, told Sgt. First Class Joshua Olson that not a single Soldier in his troop had fired his weapon in combat since they arrived in Iraq months ago.
Olson, born in Spokane, Wash., had his right leg amputated at the hip after being injured by a rocket propelled grenade on Oct. 27, 2003, in Tel AFar.
"As a Soldier you know being hurt is part of the job," Olson said. "If it saved just one life or one family a trip to Arlington Cemetery, than it was worth it. A leg is a cheap price to pay."
While visiting the multi-use facility, Macvey told Olson that it was his first deployment where everyone he deployed with was still going home. Olson leaned over to knock on wood, and replied, "That's awesome."
The Soldiers and Marine Sgt. John Eubanks were presented with combat spurs and certificates of appreciation from the host unit and Brig. Gen. Abdul Rahman, 10th Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Division.
"Your names will always be in our memory, not just on these papers," Rahman told them. "You have shed blood with us, for that we are thankful."
"This trip wasn't anything like I expected," Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Luke Wilson said. "When I was here before there were IED's, attacks, people being shot at every day. A major here told me when his guys go out now, sometimes they'll wear soft caps and no body armor, I couldn't believe it."
At the end of each day the service members returned to their rooms at the Joint Visitor's Bureau, Camp Victory to get some rest for the next part of the trip.
Tuesday the group visited the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade at Camp Taji and FOB Falcon. Wednesday the service members visited the Air Force Theater Hospital at Joint Base Balad.
"Some of you were taken in on a gurney and left on a gurney and won't remember having ever been there," Wilson told them at JVB, Oct. 12.
The next day they made their way through the halls of the hospital, not as patients, but as returning warriors who have paid a price few will ever understand.