The changing face of war

The American soldier

By LISA CUTRONI

Pride. Honor. Loyalty. American soldiers make many sacrifices as they live by these principles.

When they enlist, today’s soldiers know temperatures can reach 130 degrees in Iraq. They know that while their heavy armor might protect their lives, it might also take a long-term toll on their bodies. They know that if they make it back home, concerns for their future health and the health of their children, will persist.

Today’s soldiers face shortages of body armor, chemical hazards and the side effects of using weaponry cased in depleted uranium.

“We were briefed on all types of poisons from shells and bombs. I was totally aware of hazards,” said Mike Moritz, a veteran of the Iraq war and resident of Eldred, NY. And yet, like countless soldiers before him, Moritz joined his comrades in fighting for what he thought was right.

The sacrifices made by enlisted men and women do not stop at health and environmental concerns. They bleed into family relationships, a fact all too familiar to Dolores Delgado.

A resident of Bethel, NY, Delgado will be visiting her son, First Armored Division Sergeant Joseph Hernandez, in Germany this Christmas. Hernandez is based there until his scheduled deployment to Iraq in January.

Hernandez spent his last birthday in a war zone. His mom was not going to allow him to spend Christmas away from family too.

“My son is going to war. That is the bottom line. There are no guarantees,” Delgado said.

Since her son’s initial enlistment in March 2001, Delgado has not been able to sleep soundly. She is fearful that one day she will wake up to the phone call—the one that would break the heart of any mother.

In light of such peril, Hernandez is composed, Delgado said. He knows that this is his job, and he loves his country. He stands on the brink of his second tour in Iraq. He trains fellow servicemen to prepare them for what to expect in the war zone.

Delgado purchased over $500 worth of additional safety equipment for her son, including a side-arm gun holster, gloves and kneepads. These are things for her son’s “well-being,” Delgado said.

The army issued protective armor for Hernandez, but as Delgado believes, there are just no guarantees. “It’s a terrible way to have to live,” she said.

Showing her support through letters to her son and his comrades brings a sense of security to Delgado. She also sends them care packages. In May 2004 she organized a troop benefit that was well attended. Her event this year was not.

“No one is interested in the soldiers and Iraq; everyone is going about their normal life,” she said. “How sad. I don’t want them to be forgotten.”

Delgado is also worried about her son’s future and his ability to father healthy children. Exposure to uranium can lead to physical deformities in children conceived by soldiers after exposure.

According to Eric Nystrom, director of the Sullivan County Veterans Service Agency, American soldiers have two years to file for medical treatment for a service-related disease. “We haven’t had too many come here yet [from Iraq and Afghanistan]. I encourage counseling on benefits. I encourage them to come in,” said Nystrom.

With growing concerns of the effects of exposure to uranium, Nystrom suggests that veterans start filing claim forms.

“[This will] force the VA to take a look at the side effects. They are not going to take any responsibility,” Nystrom said.

But what compels these men and women to sacrifice their personal lives and safety to enlist in the armed forces?

“To join the military is to have a sense of honor and loyalty to your country and a sense of purpose. You want to do what is right. You hope that you are not put into a dangerous situation—but you are prepared for it,” Nystrom said.

Nystrom advocated for increased awareness and gratitude for the willingness of the sacrifices that the vets have made. “Most of all, thank them,” Nystrom said. “It’s a traumatic experience that they will live with for the rest of their lives.”

To Moritz, there is no mystery to what motivates the soldier: loyalty to comrades is a bond that cannot be broken. “If called upon again, I would go back to help my guys any way I could. I cannot explain the loyalty I felt toward my group and the fear of disappointing the average soldier, the little guy,” Moritz said.

“We all depend upon each other over there. Every service member is your brother and sister. There is a bond that is unexplainable. They are family when away from family.”

With Veterans Day on the horizon, Moritz offers the following advice: “To best recognize those who are serving is to focus on the war and the fact that we know they are still there and not forgotten. Find some way to let soldiers know that everyone is thinking of them and what they are giving up for their country.”