Selling live bait...

Every waking moment over here is filled with work for anyone in a leadership position. It seems the only time our mind is allowed to wander is during meals and that is because most of us choose to sit by ourselves so we can have a little “alone time”. When the guy I replaced was familiarizing me with my duties he pulled me aside and told me to make sure I took some time for my self every day. He said those who do not are broken by this place. I have taken his advice and make sure I get that time as often as possible.

Today at lunch I went by myself. The “chow hall” is always packed with thousands of people coming and going. It is an impressive operation that produces really good food for a massive number of people. I went right at noon to try to avoid the crowd but really that is not possible. Today they were serving baked trout, Hungarian Goulash, and the ever popular Arabic Bar which is daily during the month of Ramadan. Not a bad spread at all.

Usually you can get a small table to yourself but not today. From across the room I spotted an open seat, went to it and placed my tray on the table. As I sat I looked up at the gentleman across the table from me. He was the second in command for all of Iraq. I said to myself, “Crap!” Then I looked right and left noting the table was filled with stars and eagles - Colonels and Generals - not the quiet meal types. Out of politeness I said, “You boys don’t mind if I sit here do you?” and then gave a nervous smile. Lunch suddenly became tense for me. I decided to quietly sit and listen. It is not every day you get to interact with a guy who regularly makes conference calls with the president of the United States.

The first few minutes were all about business, but then even their conversation shifted to going home. Many at the table plan to retire after the war. Each was talking about the executive level jobs they would take when they returned to the states as so many others have done. But the top general just laughed and said all he planned to do when he got home was to open a bait shop in the middle of nowhere, Georgia. The others said, "Oh yeah there is a lot of money to be made in marketing lures." He laughed again and said, “Oh no, I don’t plan to sell anything except live bait so I can throw it all out a the end of the week.” He then added, “If I sell lures I have to take inventory, and when I get home from this I don’t want to have to think about anything ever again.” He was dead serious.

I remember the hero from "Band of Brothers", Maj. Dick Winters, said when the war was over all he wanted to do was move to a quiet location and spend the rest of his life with his mind at peace, just enjoying the company of his wife and children. That is exactly what he did.

Time in war takes its toll on us all. No matter what the level of responsibility the experience wears on us. Weekly I see fresh optimistic soldiers arrive and watch worn our soldiers leave. In the closing weeks the faces look blank. How you deal with it when you get home makes all the difference in the rest of your life.

The general has a plan; I have a few ideas myself.