Hello fellow madjackers your support may be needed again

[neverteaseit]

Hello again it has been awhile for me here. Many of you know me. Most probably not. I will give a some details as to who I am, to those who may have wondered what has occured over the years and I will tell u why I may need help again from fellow Madjackers...

As some know I have been in Iraq for nearly 3 years. I served in the military there and am now a civilian contractor. Iraq holds a special place with me. It may seem strange to some but I am not like most to complain about what it is and has occured. Whether u agree or disagree with the war is irrelevant. But I am sure most here will agree that our soldiers mean something to nearly everyone. I was activated and given a task to do. And did it to the best of my ability. Which I am very proud of. I was given several awards including the Bronze Star. Which I am very proud of. I feel I earned it by doing what was asked of me. Why it may have no meaning to most. It means alot to me. But at the same time I lost touch with many here and this board due to many reasons. Mostly Iraq. I just want many to know what has occured over time. So I will give some details as briefly as possible.

Understand one thing this letter is not about me. I am not looking for well wishes or anything of that nature. Many here gave them too me numerous times. With cards, letters, care packages etc. It was overwhelming the support that I was given by people I had never ever met. While I tried to write as many as I could and too stay in touch it became a daunting task for sure over time. I wrote as much as I could but eventually duty took more and more time and I had less to reply to many. I was sent stuff from people I never even knew existed or cared. It was truly overwhelming for sure.

I was located in a rather poor area with a very small PX that was not very well stocked and actually burnt down also. And what was so amazing was at one time I had more items sent from people than what the PX had. I never asked anyone for money all I asked was that they appreciate it because others whom they may or will never know appreciated them. It was truly amazing to say the least..

I am just telling u all how it was. I was known as the box man while in Iraq. I had over 600 boxes sent to me in about a 6 month period. I actually had to ask people to slow down. It was incredible. I stopped counting after that as they kept pouring in. This is gonna be a long read so bare with me. I would like to tell as much as I can for those who may have think they have been forgotten for what they had done. I hope no one felt this way but I am sure once those if any do they will understand once I am done with this book lol.

 

[neverteaseit]

i was sent stuff from a doctor I never knew. He sent me 100 aircast which I never asked for they were very much needed by the medical staff. I have no idea how he got my name or why he thought of these items. I wrote him back but never got a reply.

Many remember Fletcher. He sent a care package that was incredible. The postage alone was nearly a house payment. The people here at MJ's took donations and sent a care package that was one for the ages. I think Wareagle was behind this. I do remember he was from Tennessee. I feel bad not remembering. I may be wrong if so I am sorry for whom put it togehter. It was truly incredible to say the least. I got letters from wives, husbands, children. Pictures of families I had gotten and will probably never meet. I developed friendships with people I never knew then they went away. But I will always remember for sure. I will never forget what many did. I even got a package from someone here that was not a supporter of anything to do with Iraq. And he said it many a times in the forum. But in the end he still showed that he was an American and cared very much for his fellow Americans. That alone says it all in my opinion. But many said it on many occasions by what they did. No one forced them to they just did out of kindness and being generous to those who needed during difficult times. Thats the beauty of the American people. No one cares like Americans and others whom live here. I have seen it first hand on countless accasions.

I once had a lady propse to me. Which I nicely declined. I got a letter from a woman who said she had found my name on a bulletin board at a state park in Tennessee. I have no clue how they gotten my name but it was truly something that I will never forget or experience again. None will know like I do it meant to so many. I got many many more much like that. Only in American can something like this exist.

I feel many here were responsible for this by spreading the word. It was amazing. I know I keep saying this and I am repeating myself. But it truly was. So I will say lil more about what I do now and ask for some help possibly again if needed.

 

[neverteaseit]

I now currently work (or i should I actually supervise )on vehicles that save lifes. I don't mean a few either. Everyday all over Iraq and Afghan these vehicles save countless soldiers lifes. In case many wonder what I am talking about. One of them is the BUFFALO. It is a mine protection vehicle. It works better than most have thought and continues to improve everyday. This vehicle was in the movie Transformers in the highway scene and can be found on the net. It truly is an incredicle vehicle. Many are in a very battle ridden state since they are blown up many a many times. But when they do get blown up nearly all the time the soldiers walk away or have minor injuries. Then thats where I come in. I help repair and oversee that these vehicles are repaired back to combat standards and are ready to save more lifes again. Wthout these types of vehicles many more would have been added to the growing losses that occur nearly everyday.

I have become somewhat of a subject matter expert on these vehicles. Not many can do this and the few that can don't work in Iraq. I am very proud of what I am doing and why I do it. While I am paid very well I am not there for the $$$. I am there because I feel I am doing what is very much needed and I think I have a right to help the soldiers.

I have sacrificed many a things to do this. I have taken years away from my children, family and I have missed many things to do so. I have no wife nor can I hold a girlfriend do to what I am doing. I cannot drink or do what I enjoy very much which is gamble. But my children support me 100% and I will do this as long as I can or until they tell me I ma needed back home. I hope that maybe soon this will end and the troops can come home. But I really don't see this and regardless of whose in office it will continue. I am not here to seek sympathy or pats on the back from anyone for what I have done. I am just telling you what I do and will continue to do. But I may ask for many to give again if needed.

iI live in the same conditions as soldiers. Sometimes better sometimes worse. Everywhere is different. But I enjoy it because of what I do. I cannot complain. I am not forced to do it. I can leave at any given time. But will not until I have had enough. The job can be very stressful at times and very frustrating also. But thats the beauty of it. It challenges u to know end. But I know one thing and that is Iraq has made me understand many things like never before. It has done more good than harm for sure. AT least to me. Not all feel this way or are this lucky.


So enough about me and what I do.

Short and sweet. I am moving soon to a not so good location. I am sure many things will not be there when I arrive.

I try to adopt several soldiers were I am located.

If needed I am asking if u all could possibly put something together and send for the soldiers. I don't need anything. But I have a feeling they will.

I will not ask unless there is not much there. I give everything away letting them know who it came from. So if you can give or feel like giving, it would be greatly appreciated. Like I said I will only ask if needed. If not then I will not ask. I will know something in about 45-60 days. I am currently on leave and will return to where I am now and then move on from there. So it will be some time before I know anything.


Thank you so much and to those who I may have never thanked before. I Thank you also and again since I am thnakful too all that was given for me to pass out to the troops. It was something everyone should always feel very proud of. It was truly special for sure.

 

[abc]

Cliff note version please..:shrug:

 

[neverteaseit]

I don't understand what u mean ABC. iF u are blasting my post then so be it. This was meant for many who know what I am saying, that gave out of kindness, wrote and so much more. I can never Thank them enough. I have not been able to access this board for sometime since it is blocked were I am. I am greatful too so many here. What they did was amazing and many soldiers are greatful to for waht they did. They touched many a lives in ways some will never know.

If i took your post wrong than I apologize. But I am not looking for a hand out. I am just asking for help again if needed. I know many will if needed. Because there are many great people here. Most understand. Life is not a bowl of cherries there for all. While it has gotten better at larger bases. Many still live in extreme conditions and small items are like gold there compared to what we take for granted here.

Thanks for your support. NT

 

[Blitz]

Cliff note version please..:shrug:

You are an ASSHOLE!!

 

[rrc]

I'm in.....as will many others be.

I'm in.....as will many others be.

Just let us know.

 

[chickenman]

Nice abc.


What a douchebag!


CM

 

[neverteaseit]

Ah don't be hard on him fellas he may not understand what occured years ago. If he did I think he would feel different about what I had written. If it was a poke at my post. I could really care less and not looking for garbage in this thread. I juts thought I would ask again since it was amazing what occured before.

Thanks everyone

 

[abc]

wow you guys are strung tight.. Didnt feel like reading the posts.. i have no idea about this guy,it wasn't a shot at him at all.

 

[abc]

So you broke up with your wife and now your kids have to grow up with separated parents, because of your kindness to help others?

Admirable yes, although i disagree with the decision..

This is a discussion board so don't get your panties in a knot if we disagree on issues.

I'll support the soldiers through taxes and prayers.. if someone else wants to donate more so be it.. good luck with ur mission

 

[neverteaseit]

u know this is what gets me about some is that instead of just not replying they have to take shots at u not even knowing who u are. Amazing sometimes but not really.

First off SIR

I have been divorced for nearly 11 years, For the record.

Second of all my children are nearly out of high school. and unlike most I have given my entire life to them. I do mean I gave my enitre time and life to raising them. Which me and my ex did a very awesome job at. Regardless of what has occured now they still know who there father is and what he means to thme and they to me.. They have been and will always be taken care of. No matter were I am.

I have and will always be there for them. I only went back with there full blessing and my ex wifes blessing. Which by the way we are best of friends and discuss eveything in our lifes and our childrens lifes together. They knew more than anyone what has occured and why I wanted to return. And they were fully supportive and even more so today because they know what happens more than anyone here. Thats for sure.


And like I have said before. None know what it is like unless u have been there. And if it is wrong of me to think and do what I am doing . Then I feel for what many have become. I have no regrets nor does my family and friends. Only overwhelming support. I agree children do need a father. But I have been and always will be no matter were I am.


And yes this is a discussion board, But at the same time I do not see were u can take a shot at me about being a father. Especially when U have no idea about me or my family or anything of the nature. For u too even say something like that is really a low blow IMO. But why should I be surprised anymore. But thank you for the kind words and your support of the troops. It is much appreciated.

 

[kneifl]

I'm in...

I'm in...

I'm sure many others will be as well NT. Lots of good people on this board.

kneifl

 

[vinnie]

So you broke up with your wife and now your kids have to grow up with separated parents, because of your kindness to help others?

Admirable yes, although i disagree with the decision..

This is a discussion board so don't get your panties in a knot if we disagree on issues.

I'll support the soldiers through taxes and prayers.. if someone else wants to donate more so be it.. good luck with ur mission

HOPE THIS HELPS ABC

NICE TO HEAR FROM YOU RODNEY GLAD ALL IS WELL

 

[justin22g]

Sounds good... I'm a broke college student but maybe I can gather some friends up and send a lil something your way. I appreciate what you've done! God Bless you!

 

[neverteaseit]

Thanks fellas I am sure many more will help also if called upon and can give to others. but I am gonna say something and this will be the last time I discuss it. I have only said what I am about to say to my children and my ex-wife. This was after the fact of serving in Iraq in the military. I had hoped that maybe my small novel would have answered what many may ask what happened with me and why i had been out of touch. but ABC struck a nerve and I am gonna say it just the way I lived it, then maybe everyone will understand. I could care less really what anyone thinks but to question my reasons and why I do what i do I will say it the best way possible.

I also wanna apologize to DAWGBALL. I should have never forgotten him or anyone. He was the main person putting the package together. I will not forget again that is for sure..... I cannot believe i forgot. But it has been some time for me and live there is not the same for sure.

OK HERE GOES AND I AM SORRY FOR WHAT I AM ABOUT TO WRITE IT MAY BE STRETCHED OUT. . BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE I HAVE LIVED IT EVERYDAY FOR NEARLY 3 YEARS. AND MANY MORE TO GO IF NEEDED... WITH THAT BEING SAID I HOPE THIS MAKES MORE UNDERSTAND WHAT A GLIMPSE OF LIFE CAN BE LIKE THERE. MANY NEVER HAVE KNOWN NOR WILL THEY WILL NEVER. THIS SHIT ISN'T MUST SEE T.V. WHEN MAYBE IT SHOULD. I HAVE SAID SOME WORDS TO A FEW IN LETTERS BUT NOT MUCH SO THEY HAD A SMALL GLIMPSE OF WHO I AM AND WHAT I WAS DOING. BUT NEVER REALLY TALKED MUCH ABOUT IT. SO TRY TO UNDERSTAND WITH SOME WHAT OF A OPEN MIND. WHETHER U ARE AGAINST OR FOR WHAT HAS OCCURED. IT SHOULD MAKE NO DIFFERENCE. AT LEAST I HOPE.


THERE ARE MANY HEROES WHO'S STORY HAVE NEVER BEEN TOLD. THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS. I AM NOT ONE OF THEM. I WAS JUST ANOTHER SOLDIER DOING WHAT HE WAS TRAINED TO DO. PERIOD.. AND I THINK I DID IT VERY WELL. AT LEAST IN THE EYES OF MY PEERS AND SUBORDINATES I DID IT ABOVE WHAT WAS REQUIRED OF ME.. THIS IS MY EXPERIENCE AS BEST I CAN TELL IT.. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT BUT IT IS WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND LIVE STILL IN SHORT FASHION..

 

[dunclock]

So you broke up with your wife and now your kids have to grow up with separated parents, because of your kindness to help others?

Admirable yes, although i disagree with the decision..

This is a discussion board so don't get your panties in a knot if we disagree on issues.

I'll support the soldiers through taxes and prayers.. if someone else wants to donate more so be it.. good luck with ur mission

I very rarely say anything negative here but ABC you really showed your real colors here and you need to:stfu:

You have been very negative in a lot posts, and this time you went WAY OVER THE LINE:shrug:

Everyone appreciates your work and i am sure we will get something organized to send over to show our appreciation:00hour

 

[neverteaseit]

ABC u say i may be in the wrong here for my thinking well ponder on this.

I went to Iraq voluntarily. I could have gotten out of it. Like many have done before. But I chose not too. Call me foolish or whatever but I did what I felt was right and have no regrets waht so ever. I was called to serve and I responded like many before. I went there with a rag tag unit that was nearly a disgrace to the military in many ways. But in the end they all became some of the best men I have ever served with and would proudly do so again with them if I could.

I served in Baghdad just when IED'S started to become very popular. I know up close what an IED feels and sounds like for sure. The area we had was one of the worse when we arrived. We were mortared nearly everyday 3-10 times a day. Most without warning. But it became second nature very soon to most. Not to all though. My first day in country I was at the PX away from my base and while standing in line 3 RPG'S rained in on the food court yard. It shredded many people. From civilians to soldiers. They have no preverence to whom they hit in case u never realized this. But I ahven't been on the gorund more than 8 hours and already I have seen death and destruction first hand. Some of our soldiers were even injured. While minor to most. Death did occur for some.

Now take that into perspective. Just hours before everyone was laughing and joking in Kuwait ready to fly into Iraq. Then bam. Too see this in such a short time. And we were inside the wire which should have been safe. The thing u learn quickly in Iraq is that no place is safe at anytime. Really gives u a reality check. Some can handle it others cannot not. I knew then that I was one who would see much worse later on because it had no ill effects on what i knew was at hand. While I don't think u can ever prepare yourself to see people blown into pieces and and the gore that exist. It did make u focus upon everything instantly if u hadn't had that mindset already. I was already focused mentally this just cemented it even more. I knew right away regardless of what many think I WAS AT WAR.

Now after the fact. I got soldiers I haven't even talked much too ready to snap. So now this is were I seemed to excel. I think this is what earned me immediate respect from my soldiers. I became counselor, father figure and someone to assure them that i would take care of them and they would come home under my supervision. It took me some time but I did instill that believe in many. Some I had only known for a few hours, because I was added late to the unit. Now I have to deal with this. Not so easy to do. But I did my best and think i did it very well.

This was nearly ever day I did this. Many a times I took missions for soldiers who I felt would put others in harms way because of what they may or may not do. I talked with all under my leadership before they went on missions. If I even had the thought that they were a danger too others. I replaced them. Most of the time with myself. Which I didn't have to do. But I did.

So in a way u are correct I was a poor father. Instead of thinking what was best for my kids. I thought of what was best for others. I took there place putting myself in harms way so they could feel at ease. Its what I did on many occasions. Its called be a leader. Something I was taught to do and did nearly everyday. I never lost anyone in my platoon while I served in Iraq. That is what I am most proud of.

But we did lose some while we were there. I wrote letters to wifes I never met. That to me was one of the hardest things I have ever done.. I hope to never do it again. But its what u do when u are in a leadeship positon. These men never served under me but I knew them from times at meetings or in the chow hall. etc. And while u may never know everyone. Faces and names seem to stick to ya sometimes. I wished they hadnt, it would have made these much easier. But nothing was really easy. It was like this nearly everyday and night. Non stop for nearly a year. I lived a life of lies to my family back home so they could sleep at night while I was somewhere I shouldnt have been because I cared about others. Like i do today.

I did many other things that many have done more of or better at. I did things I wished I hadn't but its do that or end of story. There is no second chance in Iraq it can happen that quick sometimes. loose focus, look the wrong way, bam ur gone. U never know. I picked up pieces of fellow soldiers from the road after they were blown to bits. And I mean bits. I did it many times when I didn't have too. Like others who put them selves in harms way to recover fallen comrades.

I have seen and did more than I care to see. I am a grown man though who is supposed to be ready for this. But is anyone really ready.

Now imagine a kid 18 or so. Having to make split second decisions that may decide his life or others. And god forbid he makes a mistake that cost someone else a limb or life. Because u got to make him focus again at what still lies ahead. Because 9 times out 10 he will be back out there doing it again. Within 24 hours for some. If not someone else is gonna take his place. Whether they like it or not. He may be a cook or whomever. It is a body to make the mission happen. War doesn't stop for death it continues on.This occured many times and this what u deal with day in and day out. Even when these soldiers are not in your platoon they still become a part of your life.

I had to juggle many things while there. It was not an easy task for sure. But I made it work. I earned the upmost respect from others because of what I had done. I did it for them not me. I did what I thought was best for others and them. Regardless of my well being. Many said I had a death wish. I told them I would never be injured or harmed. I made one promise before I left to my children and I came back in one piece as I said I would. I was very fortunate also. Mnay times I came close. But never did it distract me from what I needed to do. This has messed with many minds. Young and Old. It is no easy to be DR Phil or a shrink if they are cleared to be in combat.



Now I can go on and about so much more that occured but I think I have said enough. Thus why I am still there is for many reason above and that I am still looked upon for guidance by soldiers even though I am not one anymore. Many are just kids, way to many in my eyes. But I still do what I can for them. Thats why I do what I do.


There are many more stories to be told from others who commited acts of bravery that may never be heard. Many gave life and limb for others. I hope onday most will be told somehow. It is truly amazing what some did out of pure sacrifice so others may live on.

I am not one to tell these stories. I did what I did and that were I leave it. I do what I do today because I want to and feel the need to still help in someway. Thats why I am there.

I am done now. I could write for days about what occured but it is pointless to most. I hvent even scratched the surface about what occurs with stuff back home and the effects it has over there. It is unreal. Many today I think dont really care anymore. Maybe its me I don't know. I hope most still do.

This stuff is always a bitter subject with me. I feel for others who have been torn by this war or the others before. I can't even begin to imagine what fellow vets went thru in WW1, WW2, KOREA AND NAM. I am sure i was living hell for most. This one is no where near some of them. But it will be felt by alot forever.

Thanks fellas. I am done now. I will let u know if anyhting is needed. CYA

 

[dawgball]

Great hearing from you again, neverteaseit. Don't think twice about it.

Pleae let us know what we can do and in what manner. The members here were very eager to help both times. I will be more than happy to organize it again if that is what the guys and gals here want.

I just finished doing a local collection for my uncle's reserve unit. We sent 12 moving boxes worth of stuff about 2 weeks ago.

And a side note to all -- I'm sure everyone will be pretty pissed when they read some of the posts in this thread. Let's keep the chatter towards them down here, so we can focus on helping Rodney out. Everyone has a right to their opinion, and unfortunately they are shared sometimes in an inappropriate place. My request is that if there are any negative comments, for us all to simply ignore them or start a conversation in another thread.

Once again, neverteaseit, let us know how we can help.

And, most of all, thanks to you and all who are serving our country.

 

[smurphy]

I'm in. Ready to Paypal some cash to whoever gets this rolling. Always great to hear from you, Neverteasit! Best of luck, stay safe.