Independence Day 2006

It's the Fourth of July and as it often is around this time of year, I find myself taking a moment to look back with simple pride in celebrating the fact that I am free...

Wait a second and allow me to re-word that moment of insight and state that I am happy that we as a nation of free people are thankful for the freedoms we have been blessed with on this our independence Day.

This years celebration finds me not within the confines of our great nation surrounded by family, great food and fine fireworks but once again away and overseas separated by many miles and time zones - in fact, as I write this little entry it is still July Fourth back in California - Since I am unable to be with you at this time, I am saying to all my family, friends and loved ones back home, I wish you a very happy and safe Fourth of July holiday celebration. Be thankful and count your blessings because things could always be worse...

All things taken into consideration, The independence day celebration here in Djibouti was not bad despite the fact that there were no fireworks to be seen (in a so-called "war zone", a lack of those particular kinds of "fireworks" are just fine with me!) or any cold Corona's (with lime) to be savored. Still, there were festive tournaments such as Volleyball and Dodgeball, a Strongman competition and a full component of matinee movies - not to mention an all-day barbecue featuring almost all of the most common staples of most any July Fourth family outing.

I am still at a loss to fully explain the simple malaise of the day over here in Djibouti during one of our most festive and celebrated holidays. Although there were pleasantries to be shared and many a kind word or greeting to be relayed, the feeling of independence just feels more meaningful when you are at home and sharing it with those you love and love you in return. To put it rather bluntly and abruptly, it just doesn't feel the same when you are away in another country - as is the case of any holiday spent away in lands that are foreign or are not all together familiar with the exact reason for the celebration to begin with. The day sort of loses a bit of its luster and becomes yet another in a long string of just ordinary everydays

Still, there was a moment of epiphany to be reveled within during this most recent holiday. Last night I had the unique opportunity to go home and celebrate independence Day on American grounds as part of a guard force in charge of compound security during the independence Day celebration at The United States Embassy here in Djibouti. It was a unique opportunity for the whole motley lot of us to put on a "good face" and show the world that we are proud of who we are and what we have evolved into.

Our little team of 15 marines and one corpsman arrived at the compound a little after 1700 - the road leading up to the area was deserted, except for an occasional colored plastic grocery bag dancing in the breezes along the roadside or police guard roaming the outskirts of the deserted and barren area. It was a quiet and warm evening with a lagging tide and moist ocean breeze to cool us down. The hermit crabs languished and dined on the tidal microbes as they continued to scurry from place to place along the sands, shallows and ripples of the now waning tides. We were greeted by Gary, the compounds regional security officer and given a quick overview of what our job was and what the nights festivities had in store for us.

The job began with a tour of the grounds to get the lay of the area and familiarize ourselves with the positive and negative aspects of our particular guard mounts and assignments. This particular exercise is much akin to any good ritual that any player of sport would recognize - it's like the football player taking to the field before the big game; walking the field and memorizing every line, divot and rough spot on the turf. There is something to be said about good preparation - in that being on the side of the ill-prepared really sucks and leaves you looking back over your shoulder at the "shoulda, woulda, coulda" of the past events.

We got a quick "pep talk" from Gunny Ornelas, Staff Sergeant Micken and Sergeant Perez on what to expect. For some reason, I found my mind and eyes wandering the compounds. It wasn't for lack of attention to the seriousness of the moment, but more for the amount of action that was occurring all around me at that instant. I could see the many people readying the area with red, white and blue decorations - setting up tables and sweeping the driveways and pathways to the rear of the compound where the celebration would be. I could smell the food as it was being prepared. I could hear the patriotic music playing in the background as the sky began to darken with the hues of yet another closing sunset. As I scanned the area, my eye caught hold of the flag waving in the stiffening evening breeze upon the compounds mast and I reminded myself that I was home - even if only for a moment, I was home on sovereign soil of the United States.

Although the smells and sounds were not quite as familiar as I would have liked them to be, the feelings and emotions were. My outburst was one of the moment, but it was something that welled up within me and spilled forth into the night. During our preparation speech and just after spotting our flag, I reminded the Marines present that all of us were ambassadors to the greatest nation on the free Earth and we represented the greatest fighting force upon it - The United States Marine Corps. Looking back on that moment, the guys might have thought that I was some far-out flag waving old fart trying to get a rise out of the moment. That is far from the truth. I didn't just say those things to blow wind into the Marines sails or make them puff up their chests anymore. What I said, I actually felt and meant every word of it!

The rest of the evening was pretty much uneventful. Aside from the scuffle with the military working dog and the driver who was offended at the very thought of having to be checked for a bomb, the evening was benign and the celebration went-off without a hitch. I got to smile and greet those in attendance and also received the opportunity to brush up on some of my rusty French by placing some well-timed "Bon soirre's" and "Bienvenue's" toward the many arriving guests and dignitaries. Granted, where Corporal Lockwood and I stood was devoid of any breeze and the both of us never dried off the entire evening, it was very nice and cordial to be receiving guests and rather satisfactory to be putting a good, kind and humble face onto the stereotypical American military person.

Although we were not fed a state dinner, we were invited to have cake - which was a nice gesture and one that we heartily accepted. It was not a cold beer, rack of barbecue ribs, sirloin steak, potato salad or apple pie, but it fit the moment and still made us happy to have been a shared part of the celebration.

I did not spend my independence Day at home with those I loved, but I did get to spend the day with people who defend our freedoms and allow us to continue to celebrate day after day and year after year. It felt good to hear people thanking me and my counterparts for the job we do and I will be the first to say that am humbled and thankful to be able to support and uphold the trusts of my fellow American citizens. Indeed, it is an honor of mine to serve during this time and a trust that I keep very sacred. I could go on and on about how I feel about this day, America and my service in the military, but to do so would be self-centered and egotistical. Sometimes, you have to look beyond the ordinary focus and see the larger picture that has been set before you. What I have discovered is that there is strength to be found in faith and focus - that sheer numbers do not always add up and that sometimes will and determination are the only things keeping you alive and surviving.

Our forefathers had a dream for our future - just as I have dream for the future of my children - there is hope and love to be found in every waking breath of my existence while I am in pursuit of the happiness that is the "American Dream" Upon this pathway to happiness I have discovered this - There are many better places to be in this world at this moment, but there is no one else in the world that I would rather be - and that is being American and being free - I need nothing more because that's more than enough for me!