There's no place like home
Michael Wiehagen
Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: Opinion
I have been extraordinarily busy over the last eight weeks, and I apologize to the readers of my article for not writing one sooner. I recently completed my international tour and am now ready to tell the world of my deeds.
I started out on Oct. 3, young and full of hope. I was going home on leave and it was going to be awesome beyond words. I was going to make it home for my older sister's wedding on the 11th, I was going to be able to see my family, and most importantly, I was going to be able to spend time with my wonderful fiancée. I was scheduled to fly out on that night, but right at the last second, the plane was rerouted for a more important mission. Those of us who were stranded speculated that some higher-up did not get the bottled water brand that he wanted ("No dammit, I said Dasani, not Aquafina!"), but in the end, it's a mystery.
I wish I could say that I was only delayed that day, but the sad fact was that I was delayed a mind-boggling five days to get out of Iraq. My low point was definitely when we were sitting on the runway, in the plane, with our gear on, bags in hands, propellers spinning, and the plane sprung a hydraulic leak and was grounded for repairs. There were many calls home telling my family of my status and preparing them for me missing my sister's wedding. But luckily, on Oct. 8, I finally got out of Iraq and flew into Kuwait, a joyous occasion. It was a solid 24 hours of flying to make it home to Pittsburgh, but it was worth it since I got home on the 9th, and my leave started on the 10th.
My sister's wedding was beautiful, and I am very thankful that I got to be there for it. The rest of leave was equally busy and wonderful. I was able to go up to the mountains and enjoy the fall colors and just spend time relaxing. It was perfect. But leave did not last forever. I tried to make it drag on as long as possible, even opening up old Systems and Signals textbooks since time would inevitably stand still when I was reading or attending a lecture on that subject. Unfortunately, the 25th of October eventually arrived, and I had to go back to Iraq. The joyous greetings of your loved ones when you arrive are always tempered with the heart-wrenching goodbyes when it is time to go back.
I started out on Oct. 3, young and full of hope. I was going home on leave and it was going to be awesome beyond words. I was going to make it home for my older sister's wedding on the 11th, I was going to be able to see my family, and most importantly, I was going to be able to spend time with my wonderful fiancée. I was scheduled to fly out on that night, but right at the last second, the plane was rerouted for a more important mission. Those of us who were stranded speculated that some higher-up did not get the bottled water brand that he wanted ("No dammit, I said Dasani, not Aquafina!"), but in the end, it's a mystery.
I wish I could say that I was only delayed that day, but the sad fact was that I was delayed a mind-boggling five days to get out of Iraq. My low point was definitely when we were sitting on the runway, in the plane, with our gear on, bags in hands, propellers spinning, and the plane sprung a hydraulic leak and was grounded for repairs. There were many calls home telling my family of my status and preparing them for me missing my sister's wedding. But luckily, on Oct. 8, I finally got out of Iraq and flew into Kuwait, a joyous occasion. It was a solid 24 hours of flying to make it home to Pittsburgh, but it was worth it since I got home on the 9th, and my leave started on the 10th.
My sister's wedding was beautiful, and I am very thankful that I got to be there for it. The rest of leave was equally busy and wonderful. I was able to go up to the mountains and enjoy the fall colors and just spend time relaxing. It was perfect. But leave did not last forever. I tried to make it drag on as long as possible, even opening up old Systems and Signals textbooks since time would inevitably stand still when I was reading or attending a lecture on that subject. Unfortunately, the 25th of October eventually arrived, and I had to go back to Iraq. The joyous greetings of your loved ones when you arrive are always tempered with the heart-wrenching goodbyes when it is time to go back.
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