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By Rose Hooper
As Marine Lance Cpl. Ryan Long served his country in Baghdad,
Iraq, his thoughts would often escape to peaceful times back at
the red brick family home in Cullowhee.
Recently those thoughts became reality when the 20-year-old infantry
motarman arrived here on a 30-day leave.
Leaning on the redwood deck overlooking the Tuckaseigee River,
Long breathed in the fresh mountain air and said, "Right
now, I'm probably as happy as I can be."
Marine
Lance Cpl. Ryan Long, who has been serving in Baghdad, was recently
at the Long homeplace in Culllowhee on a 30-day pass. - Herald
photo by Rose Hooper
At any moment he and the other members of his 3rd
Battalion 7th Marine Regiment could be called back to duty, so
Long simply savored each moment.
"Back in Baghdad we thought once the fighting was over, we'd
be going home. We heard many dates about when we would be going
home, but they just came and went.
"Finally it got to where it didn't matter. We had a job to
do, so we just went about doing it."
Family members, including parents Kathy and John Long, noticed
this young Marine's increased level of maturity brought on by
the harsh realities of war.
"Don't take freedom for granted - but use it every day,"
said Cpl. Long, who has seen his fair share of death and destruction.
"Life is short and can be ended any day. Don't go to sleep
at night wishing you had done something."
Ryan
Long's great uncle, David Long, shown here in this Herald photo
taken at his Cullowhee home place in 2002, had a distinguished
career in the Marine Corps and was presented with the prestigious
Bronze Star during the young corporal's graduation from boot camp.
Long is doing exactly what he always wanted to
do - being a Marine.
During his graduation exercise from boot camp Dec. 14, 2001, his
great uncle David Long, who had a distinguished career in the
Marine Corps, was presented with the prestigious Bronze Star.
Cpl. Long's unit was one of the first to enter Baghdad where he
was 'put in the position of stabilization. We are trained for
combat, not peacekeeping, so it was difficult for me at first;
it took a lot of patience," he said.
Spending a lot of time on foot patrol, Long would occasionally
run into an English-speaking Iraqi.
"For the most part, they loved us. Sure there were some Iraqis
who thought we shouldn't be in their country," said Long,
who gets upset when he hears about stateside war protestors.
"If Americans could talk to the Iraqis who had entire families
tortured by Hussein loyalists, I think they would understand why
we are in Baghdad.
Pictured
here with a group of Iraqi children, Marine Lance Cpl. Ryan Long
(uniformed, right) said, "The Iraqi children would run 100
meters to see an American military vehicle. Our commander told
us, 'When the kids stop running to us, we'll know the climate's
changed and it's time for us to leave.'"
"I do respect their right to protest, though
- that's part of being an American."
This former Eagle Scout found there wasn't much difference between
Americans and Iraqis.
"The main difference I noted was their religion - it's their
life and it rules every aspect, especially their morals."
Long can't talk details about his military operations in Baghdad,
but he did spend time filling in fox holes and removing ammunition
from the Iraqi schools.
"The Iraqi children would run 100 meters to see an American
military vehicle," said Long, who was warmed by their excitement
and welcome.
"Our commander told us, 'When the kids stop running to us,
we'll know the climate's changed and it's time for us to leave.'"
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