David Bailey Veteran of the Month, January 2003

Brief Bio: dob, service, occupation now.

Born in Tacoma WA, Oct. 28, 1968. Going to school full time right now and running a small business.

Why did you decide to join the Armed services?

I grew up in a military family so I think I had a disposition toward service from an early age. I got married in late 88 but was living with a relative and decided I had better get out and do something for myself. Out of three choices at the time (excluding college) the military had the most to offer. I had already taken my ASVAB's the year prior and had scored high enough to get any job I wanted. These factors made it the logical choice.

Where were you assigned during your tour?

I was stationed at Ft Hood TX for my entire tour. When it came time to ETS they tried to lure me in with nice sounding assignments in Germany and a new MOS. The NCOIC of recruiting said that they should have moved me around some during my tour and he would have had a chance with me.

Have any interesting highlights to share?

I had good times and bad there at Ft Hood. Most of the bad I created myself by being young and dumb. Most of the good came from being with guys I had some respect and trust for. The unit was in the process of fielding new equipment when I arrived and that kept us in the spotlight and in the field for most of the time. One highlight came when we were visited by Korean War veterans after we came back from Iraq. They were very amused to see we still used the same worthless camouflage.

soldier one "Hey what's that over there?" soldier two "A truck"
soldier one "And what's that over there?" soldier two "A truck under camouflage"

They could not believe how small our radio units were and told great stories about how they had radios as big as coffins in their day. I felt so much pride to be there with those guys, carrying on the duty they had performed for me.

What were your most memorable experiences in the military?

The most memorable are really not appropriate to share here but of those left one stands out. The feeling I got the first time I saw live ordnance from the enemy hitting targets in our path. We stopped convoy and went to MOP while digging hasty fighting positions. I realized there were people dieing just up the road and that was were we were going. After we got the all clear my team chief and I silently re-entered our truck and donned our NVG to continue the march. A minute or so later we started to hear an odd tapping sound coming from the truck. We both started to look around trying to isolate the sound. I finally looked toward to floorboards on my side of the truck to find my hands shaking so bad my rifle barrel was tapping the dashboard. I had no idea I was shaking like that. I had no idea a person could be that scared and under control at the same time.

How did you feel about going into combat?

I don't think I had many of the delusions of glory or runaway fear I saw in so many around me. Having watched my father come and go so many times over the years surly hardened me to these things but did not blind me either. I was afraid often, scared literally out of my mind a few times, and yet under the most odd control throughout. I think what matters most is how we felt after we came back. Most people I know from that time still put on a mask as though it had no effect on them.

What was your homecoming like?

Again it was good and bad. The good came from the people that turned out to greet us. We flew into the airfield sometime in the early afternoon and immediately boarded busses to out-process at a base gym. As we rode to the base people lined the highway and cheered. They also threw full bear cans at the bus from passing cars and other items we had not seen for a long time. The overpasses were lined with people and banners. It was really overwhelming to be there at that time but still that odd control existed that keep all emotion in check. The bad times came shortly afterward. I realized some of the effects of being under such stress the first day back at a local PX. We had got a 48 hour leave before reporting back to duty and I was trying to eat a sandwich with the typical stand up video games running in front of me. All the stuff going on in the games started to push at me inside. I mean the shooting and the screaming of the dying characters. I had to get up and leave. I remember thinking it was insanity to produce such games for our children. Recently though I have thought it seems to be almost necessary training of the young in our war-loving world. I also had to witness the broken families produced by the faithless civilians left behind and the REMF's that replaced us on base from the national guard while we were overseas.

What do you consider your greatest achievements?

Still working on those.

What are some of the highlights of your life since the war?

Going back to school has been great and it has been a good experiance to have been able to start a small business. I also enjoy working at the Patriot Files very much. I have meet many wonderful people here in person and online.

Are you active in veterans' organizations?

No.

Do you keep in contact with your military comrades?

Yes one of them.

What can be done to improve public awareness of foreign policy and military and veterans' affairs?

I think it is imperative that our children are given a real overview of history, not just the victors perspective. With a decent education and just an ounce of common sense and compassion most of the greed destroying veterans programs and military benefits today would be eliminated. Much future war could also probably be avoided. Unfortunately our schools are as biased as most of our leaders.

Are there any messages you would like to communicate to your fellow veterans?

I want to thank everyone here. For those that served, for your service. I have been acutely aware of your sacrifice made for my freedom from a young age and have looked up to veterans of past generations for my entire life. God bless you all. For those who have supported veterans, I cannot tell you how much your compassion and understanding have helped many of us, God bless you all. And to those who did not make it back except in spirit, your efforts were not in vain, may God keep you in a better place.

David