Sunday, January 4, 2009

Kiss a Soldier!

Most people have no idea!





That's right. Most of us can't truly comprehend how dangerous it has been in Iraq and Afghanistan for our men and women in uniform.


In the above video, you can see a convoy of vehicles approaching. When the lead vehicle reaches the middle of the screen, an improvised explosive device (IED) explodes. An (IED) is a bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action. They are typically comprised of conventional military explosives such as artillery rounds, bombs, or mortar shells and attached to a detonation mechanism. This has been the weapon of choice in the present day conflict in Iraq. To date, approximately 40% of coalition deaths in Iraq have been caused by IED's.



Munitions rigged for an IED discovered by Iraqi police in Baghdad in November 2005

This video gives me a whole new level of understanding about how lethal these IED's really are. I've never been that close to an explosion and I don't want to be. I certainly have expanded respect and compassion for those who have lived in such a dangerous environment for so long.

5 comments:

Jane Turley said...

War is a terrible thing. When will we ever learn.

intrepidideas said...

We won't! Boys will be boys and Men will be men! Seriously, I don't know the answer to that???

Chris said...

I had no idea. It's horrible.

Anonymous said...

You say most us can't comprehend how dangerous it is in Iraq - how true. Most of us go about our lives and don't even think of the sacrifice our military make on a daily basis.

May Your Glass Always Be Half Full

Anonymous said...

I'd kiss him if he were home but he's not...he's back there...again.

I found you while looking for monk seal and hawaii info btw...*L*