First Set of Images from Iraq
Nov. 19-24

Story: Faith helps soldiers handle war's agonies


Flying into Baghdad on a C-130 – Traveling from place to place can mean long hours and little sleep for soldiers and contract workers helping in the effort to rebuild Iraq. Photo by Jim Veneman.
CPA Headquarters – What once served as a dining hall for Saddam’s governmental palace now serves as a dining facility for thousands of Coalition troops and contract workers stationed in Baghdad. Photo by Jim Veneman.

Waiting – In the military, “hurry up and wait” is a standard catchphrase for men and women serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. These soldiers read the latest copy of Stars & Stripes while waiting for their ride from Baghdad International Airport to their respective units within the city. Photo by Jim Veneman.
Reflection – A soldier, sitting at Baghdad International Airport, thinks about home as he waits to catch a shuttle into the city. Photo by Jim Veneman.

The lingering of a dictator – While many of the statues, pictures and other visual images of Saddam’s reign have been pulled down and destroyed, this bust of Saddam and three others like it still grace the top of the governmental palace now serving as the headquarters for the Coalition Provisional Authority. The heads were recently scheduled to come down, but the mission was delayed due to death threats that were received by the workers who would have removed them. Photo by Jim Veneman.
Coping – “You really do have to separate from what you see here,” said Lieutenant Hope Simmons of Tampa, Fla., about her work at IBN SINA Hospital located in what’s called “the Green Zone” of Baghdad. “Initially death was the hardest thing to deal with, but now it’s dealing with the buddy of the one who died. Sometimes it’s really hard for them to understand why they’re still standing and their buddy isn’t.” Simmons, 25, is a member of New Life Christian Center who has been in Iraq since March. She hopes to attend medical school when she goes home. “I’ve really been trying to make more of an effort to get closer to God since I’ve been over here. You realize what’s really important.” Photo by Jim Veneman.

No Guarantee - Brett Bailey, a native of Brookeville, PA, attends Assembly of God in Fayetteville, N.C. He’s currently stationed in Baghdad with the 82nd Airborne, Third Battalion, and led almost 30 men in a weekly Bible study for the first several months of the war before transferring units. “When you think of infantry guys, they’re risk takers, they feel invincible,” said Bailey. “But war kind of puts it in perspective. It makes you think how fragile life is. We’re not guaranteed the next day.” Photo by Jim Veneman.
Grandmother at War – Nancy McClure of Lebanon, Mo. and a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, is a specialist with the 175th Military Police company, 168th Battalion for the National Guard currently serving in Baghdad. She said she has always felt called to the military and finally joined at age 39. Both of her daughters are pregnant with their first children and due about the time she’s supposed to go home. She celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary with her husband, a former Southern Baptist pastor in November while deployed. Photo by Jim Veneman.

Huddle Up - Soldiers belonging to the 82nd Airborne, Third Battalion enjoy a rare break from war for a short football match. Photo by Jim Veneman.
Dusk in Baghdad – A lone soldier takes a quiet moment at the end of the day for exercise as the sun sets and another night begins at the Falcon Forward Base located on the edge of Baghdad. Though some of the troops are in buildings and warehouses, many of the men are still sleeping on cots in tents. An onset of cooler temperatures has been welcomed by the troops who experienced summer temps as high as 150 degrees back in July. Photo by Jim Veneman.

Day’s End – The sun sets just over the makeshift tent city at Falcon Forward Base which houses the 82nd Airborne, Third Battallion in Baghdad. Photo by Jim Veneman.
Prayer Helps – SFC Timothy McFayden is a platoon sergeant with the 82nd Airborne, Third Battallion, currently stationed in Baghdad. He and his wife, members of Strickland Bridge Rd. Church of God in Fayettville, N.C. “My wife and I made a pact to pray for each other every night before we go to sleep.” Photo by Jim Veneman.

Finding Peace in War - Sergeant James Crowell, from Sayre, Pa., reads his Bible in his tent at the end of a long day. Crowell is a scout sniper with the 82nd Airborne, Third Battalion, Second Brigade combat team out of Fayetteville, N.C. His biggest fear of going to war was losing one of his buddies. “We’ve been very fortunate so far, God has really been looking out for us.” Photo by Jim Veneman.
On Mission – Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne, Third Battallion Infantry Division prepare to head out for an early morning mission within the city. Photo by Jim Veneman.

 


Armor of Protection – Body armor including flak vests and Kevlar helmets are standard equipment for soldiers in Baghdad. Photo by Jim Veneman.

For the Future – Children are often seen waving to the soldiers as they pass on the roads and highways of Baghdad. A common phrase that is echoed is “No Saddam.” Photo by Jim Veneman.
Reminders – Bombed out buildings like this house that was once used for Baath Party meetings are a common sight on the streets of Baghdad. Photo by Jim Veneman.

Riches of a Dictator – Ample evidence of Saddam’s wealth can be seen everywhere in the palaces and houses that belonged to him and his family. The opulence as seen on this staircase in a house now occupied by CPA personnel was common. Photo by Jim Veneman.
On Watch – A tank gunner patrols the streets of Baghdad. Photo by Jim Veneman.

Always Present – A tank convoy patrols the neighborhoods of Baghdad, an ever present reminder to those wishing ill that the Coalition forces are strong. Photo by Jim Veneman.

 


CPA Headquarters – The exterior of the headquarters for the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad. Photo by Jim Veneman.
Studying God’s Word – “Faith is something to rely on – something no one can take away,” says Joseph Larrew, of Carrolton, Ga., who has challenged himself to memorize as many scripture verses as he can during his deployment. So far, he’s learned 30. The 20-year-old lives in Clarksville, Tenn., and currently serves in the 372nd Mobile Public Affairs Division with the Army Reserves in Baghdad as a broadcaster. He plans on attending Austin Peay University when he goes home. Photo by Jim Veneman.

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