Brown Eyed American Hero

Nick Garcia

English 1180

20 September 08

Brown Eyed American Hero

There is no guarantee that when a love one leaves for war that they will return. You must live your life knowing that tomorrow is just another day. Not many twenty two years have sent a love one to war and had to deal with the uncertainty of them coming home alive.

It was early March 2002 when I received the heart wrenching call from Manny with an upset voice, "Carli, my number has been picked". I felt a lump in my throat because I knew what he was going to say. I said, "Please don't tell me you have to go?, ". He said , "Yes, I have to go to Iraq". My phone fell out of my hand as if a sudden death was reported to me. He said, "Hello, hello, Carli are you there" ? After gaining my composure, I picked the phone up and held it to my ear. I said, "Yes, I'm here". Trying to sound strong because I knew he was as scared as I was.

Over the next two weeks, Manny had to do what every soldier is familiar with, that is out-process. This is a formality where every military personnel that is deploying has to get vaccinated, arrange an power of attorney for there financial business, and also give his or her last will and testament. It's a very stressful and emotional time for them to endure. With that being said, Manny was irritable because he wanted to get the get that over and done with so he could leave and return to the United States as quickly as possible.

March 16, 2002, Manny's day of departure was finally here. Many of the family's were saying their farewells by kissing and hugging their wives, children, and parents, while Manny and I were having our own special talk within a moment's time. In that period we were engulfed with each other. Looking into his big brown eyes with his long eyelashes, there was nobody around expect for he and I so what it seemed. It was as if timed had been stopped for just for us. All of a sudden we heard some rumbling going on from a distance. When we looked, it was the C130 coming down the flight line to take our American troops off to war. My eyes started to tear up and the familiar feeling of that lump started to surface back into my throat. That's when I grabbed Manny and held him closer than I ever had before, burying my head into his broad chest. It wasn't long after the plane stopped when the commanders started loading the brave men in the plane. When it was Manny's turn to get into the aircraft, he looked back and yelled in a loving tone in his voice and said," I knew I was going to marry you from the first time I saw you!" With tears rolling down my cheek, I yelled back "Dido!" Although we