Staging Post

This Army post is quite possibly the loneliest, saddest place I have ever been. It is hands down the eeriest. I can not say where it is located, but it is a war staging area in the middle of the desert, and it is hot - sometimes upwards of 120 degrees. I spend two nights here awaiting transport to Baghdad. This the gateway to Iraq, and to Afghanistan. The loneliness and fear in this place are palpable.

With but a few exceptions, every soul who is here is on his way to spend a year or more away from loved ones and home. Everyone here is on his way to war. The misery of dreading an entire year away from loved ones is written on every face. The fear of unknown is evident in the eyes of many. And the familiarity of this routine can be seen in the resolve of those who are back for a second, third, or fourth time. People wander around in a half-zombie state, exhausted from traveling, lonely, scared - these people are going to war, and their faces show it.

Maybe this is the worst part - the dreading what is to come. I hope that is the case.

Day and night are one and the same here. When I arrive at almost midnight, I watch a game of volleyball as I eat my dinner. I am not tired because it is daytime at home, but I try to sleep. Sleep does not come easily because the lights in my tent remain on at all hours. Daytime is more suited to sleep than nighttime in this strange place that never sleeps. Thankfully, these tents are air conditioned.

I wake at 6:00 a.m. for morning roll call, and then fall asleep until 2:00 p.m. - the hottest part of the day, and it is unbearable. The desert sun reflects off of every surface, making it nearly impossible to see. Only a few people mill among the canvas tents that serve as makeshift hotels.

Night falls again, and people return. We are all waiting to board a plane for somewhere else. Of course, there are people who are stationed in this place who help soldiers get where they're going. They are the most cheerful crowd, and it's a good thing. This place, and these soldiers could use some good cheer.