Back in the game... // January 11, 2008
So, there I was, at the water fountain, getting’ some water, when my phone rang.
Ah yes. The ringing phone of a minister.
Some number I didn’t recognize.
“hello, this is jon.”
“CHAPLAIN FISHER? CAN YOU HEAR ME? THIS IS CH XYZ CALLING FROM IRAQ…”
So it has begun again. I’m going back. In about 35 days or so, I’ll be back on a plane headed to Baghdad (or something like that, the details are sketchy and I can’t write about those kinds of details) for another tour.
It seems that there is a BN whose chaplain has medical issues and had to return to the States and will not be returning to the unit. I’m taking his place. Its actually not that big a deal. I don’t think it’s a unit like the one I came from so I’ll be in a relatively safe place and its only going to be about six months.
Honestly, for all I have been looking forward to deploying again. I met this news with indifference. It was odd actually. I was not excited nor particularly sad that I have to go. Maybe its because I’ve been at Stewart for the last year and everybody here is missing someone. I mean, for crying out loud, I can stand on my head for six months!
At any rate, by the time I hung up the phone, I was back at my desk. I had been taking notes during the conversation and when I looked up, there was a picture of Sara and Sophie on my desktop.
I cried.
Then I sighed, got up, grabbed my cover and was off to face this new challenge. To be a replacement in a combat unit.
Gotta love this job…
Ah yes. The ringing phone of a minister.
Some number I didn’t recognize.
“hello, this is jon.”
“CHAPLAIN FISHER? CAN YOU HEAR ME? THIS IS CH XYZ CALLING FROM IRAQ…”
So it has begun again. I’m going back. In about 35 days or so, I’ll be back on a plane headed to Baghdad (or something like that, the details are sketchy and I can’t write about those kinds of details) for another tour.
It seems that there is a BN whose chaplain has medical issues and had to return to the States and will not be returning to the unit. I’m taking his place. Its actually not that big a deal. I don’t think it’s a unit like the one I came from so I’ll be in a relatively safe place and its only going to be about six months.
Honestly, for all I have been looking forward to deploying again. I met this news with indifference. It was odd actually. I was not excited nor particularly sad that I have to go. Maybe its because I’ve been at Stewart for the last year and everybody here is missing someone. I mean, for crying out loud, I can stand on my head for six months!
At any rate, by the time I hung up the phone, I was back at my desk. I had been taking notes during the conversation and when I looked up, there was a picture of Sara and Sophie on my desktop.
I cried.
Then I sighed, got up, grabbed my cover and was off to face this new challenge. To be a replacement in a combat unit.
Gotta love this job…
Categories
Iraq , Iraq Part Dux... , Reflections , Stewart
Chaplain Jon Fisher
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