Ross
11-01-2004, 09:34 AM
The email below came to me from an old friend of mine. We went through law school together, and he is a Lieutenant Colonel in the National Guard now stationed in Iraq. Not earth shaking news, just the story of another life given in the fight for freedom.
****************************** ***************************
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 towl 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 concusion. 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
everytime 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 the could
take a picture, I said yes, knowing that it was important to document what
had happened and 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. BENTLEY NETTLES
LTC, IO
MNC-I Team Chief
DSN: 822-2534
NIPR email: Adrian.Nettles@vcmain.hq.c5.ar my.mil
<mailto:Adrian.Nettles@vcmain.h q.c5.army.mil>
S
****************************** ***************************
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 towl 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 concusion. 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
everytime 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 the could
take a picture, I said yes, knowing that it was important to document what
had happened and 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. BENTLEY NETTLES
LTC, IO
MNC-I Team Chief
DSN: 822-2534
NIPR email: Adrian.Nettles@vcmain.hq.c5.ar my.mil
<mailto:Adrian.Nettles@vcmain.h q.c5.army.mil>
S